What is the Schengen Area and do I need a visa?
The Schengen Area takes up a major part of Europe and includes a few of the most powerful and old countries of the continent. Traveling to these countries requires you to first obtain a Schengen Visa. The countries that fall under the Schengen Area include:
How long can you stay in a Schengen country with a visa?
With a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa that has been previously used in a Schengen country you can enter and stay up to 15 days. Visitors can stay up to 90 Days in a 6 month period with a valid Schengen Visa.
Where can I travel with a uniform Schengen visa?
A holder of a Uniform Schengen visa can travel to all 26 member countries of the Schengen Area: Austria Hungary Norway Belgium Iceland Poland Czech Republic Italy Portugal Denmark Latvia Slovakia Estonia Liechtenstein Slovenia 4 more rows ...
Can a Schengen visa be used as a substitute visa?
A Schengen Visa can be used as a substitute visa to their national visas in the following countries. Such travellers, do not need a national visa issued from these countries to enter, transit and stay in their territory temporarily.
How many countries does Schengen visa cover?
26 countriesA Schengen visa is a short stay visa allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen area. The Schengen area covers 26 countries ("Schengen States") without border controls between them.
Can I go UK with Schengen visa?
There is no link between a Schengen Visa and admittance to the UK. The only issue around you entering the UK is your own nationality, which we do not know. No, the UK has never been in Schengen. You need to get a visa in advance of your journey.
Which country Schengen visa does not cover?
Schengen Area covers most of the EU countries, except Ireland and the countries that are soon to be part of Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus.
Can I visit Europe with Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
Which Schengen visa is longest?
Short stay (type C) Schengen visas are valid for 90 days, but long stay (type D) visas range from 6 months to 5 years.
Can I enter Switzerland with Schengen visa?
Switzerland belongs to the Schengen Area*. If you have a visa issued by a Schengen member state, you generally do not require an additional tourist visa to enter Switzerland or any other Schengen country. Your stay must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
Which Schengen country gives visa easily?
In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications.
Can I visit Ireland with Schengen visa?
Note: A Schengen visa or UK visa is not valid for travel to Ireland. For exceptions to this, please see Schedules 2 and 3 below. If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.
Can I go to Turkey with Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa allows visitors to travel, study, and work and reside in all 26-member states passport-free. In addition to these benefits, Schengen Visa holders can also apply online for other countries, which are non-EU countries such as Turkey.
What are the 4 types of Schengen visas?
What type of Schengen visa do I need?Type A Schengen visa or Airport Transit Visa. ... Type B Schengen visa. ... Type C Schengen visa. ... Type D Schengen visa or national long-stay visa.
Can I enter another country with Schengen visa?
Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area.
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa?
You must have a clean visa history. You must have never overstayed your Schengen Visa or worked unlawfully in the Schengen Area. You must have a clean criminal record in your home country. You must have purchased adequate Travel Insurance for the first year of your multiple-entry visa that you have applied for.
Can I enter another country with Schengen visa?
Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area.
Which countries can enter UK without visa?
Nationals of countries/territories who do not need a visa to enter the UK: All EU countries, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, ...
Which countries are not part of the Schengen Area?
Sao Tome and Principe. Serbia. Turkey. The following countries are not part of the Schengen Area, yet they ALLOW foreign citizens of other countries to enter and stay in their territories, ONLY by showing a valid Schengen Visa (double entry or multiple entry). Such foreigners, do NOT need a national visa issued from these countries to enter, ...
How long is a Schengen visa valid in Colombia?
Schengen visas holders must ensure their visa is valid for at least 180 days from their arrival date in Colombia.
Which country allows foreigners to enter the country without a visa?
Croatia. Since the 22 nd of the July 2014, the Republic of Croatia has entered into force the decision to allow all foreigners holding valid Schengen Visa to enter, transit and stay in its territory without needing to provide an additional Croatian visa.
Which countries allow visa free access?
Colombia. Holders of passports issued by the following countries or territories are granted visa-free access for a maximum of 90 days (unless otherwise noted) if they hold visas or residence permits issued by a Schengen Area country. Cambodia. China.
How long is a Turkish visa valid?
They first SHOULD GET a single-entry Turkish e-Visa which has a 1-MONTH validity (with a possibility to apply for such visa electronically in the website www.evisa.gov.tr (For more and updated information please click here !).
How many countries can a Schengen visa travel to?
A holder of a Uniform Schengen visa can travel to all 26 member countries of the Schengen Area:
What countries are in the Schengen zone?
Slovenia. Spain. Sweden. Switzerland. The Essential Features of The Schengen Zone. The Criteria to Become a Member Country. Non-Schengen Countries in Europe. Schengen Area signifies a zone where 26 European countries, abolished their internal borders, for the free and unrestricted movement of people, in harmony with common rules for controlling ...
How many countries are members of the Schengen Agreement?
22 members fully implement the Schengen acquis, Four of them – members of the EFTA, implement Schengen acquis through specific agreements related to the Schengen agreement. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are associate members of the Schengen Area but are not members of the EU.
How long is the Schengen border?
The external borders of the Schengen Zone reach a distance of 50,000 km long, where 80% of it is comprised of water and 20% of the land. The area counts hundreds of airports and maritime ports, many land crossing points, an area of 4,312,099 km2, and a population of 419,392,429 citizens.
What is the population of Luxembourg?
Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a country of 2,586 km2 and has a population of 575,747 residents. It is one of the founding states of the Schengen agreement, which was signed on 14 June 1985 in the village of Schengen in Luxembourg. Its capital, Luxembourg City, is one of the three official capitals of the European Union.
Which countries are not in the visa free zone?
Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City have opened their borders with, but are not members of the visa-free zone. The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone even that they are located outside the European continent.
When did Belgium join the Schengen?
Belgium is one of the five first countries that signed the Schengen agreement on 14 June 1985 and started its implementation on 26 March 1995. It is a small and densely populated country, with an area of 30,528km2 and a number of 11,358,379 residents.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries who in the interest of the free movement of people have decided to abolish borders within their countries and have enacted a set of rules with which they govern their external borders. For example, a resident of Germany can drive freely into Switzerland without needing a visa or stopping at a border checkpoint because both are Schengen-member countries, even though Switzerland is not part of the European Union and Germany is.
How many countries are there in the Schengen Agreement?
In addition to the 26 member countries of the Schengen Agreement, there are a number of Non-Schengen countries that allow you to visit them with a valid Schengen Visa. There are also countries that form part of the Schengen Area but not the European Union and vice versa, so it is useful to define each in order to better understand where you can ...
Which countries allow visa free entry?
Georgia allows those who have visas for a number of countries enter visa-free, including Schengen Visas. For a full list of countries see here. Gibraltar. Similar to Colombia, if you are a resident of the following countries and hold a valid multiple entry Schengen Visa with at least seven days validity you can enter visa free for up to 21 days.
Is the Schengen zone the same as the European Union?
Many people are surprised to find that the European Union and the Schengen zone are not the same thing, despite the term often being used interchangeably. As such if you apply for a Schengen Visa you are allowed to travel freely throughout 26 countries, but you may mistakenly believe that you can travel to a Non-Schengen country that is part ...
Do you need a transit visa for the UK?
A common mistake travelers make (partially due to the high number of flights that pass through it) is flying through the United Kingdom on the way to a Schengen country or other. As the UK is still part of the European Union but not the Schengen Zone, you will require a transit visa .
Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?
Citizens of the following countries are required to hold a Schengen visa to be allowed travel within the Schengen Area:
How many countries are there in the Schengen area?
A Schengen visa obtained from any of the Schengen Area member countries allows travel throughout these 26 countries to its holder without having to get a separate entry permission for each individual country, up to its validity and period limitations.
What are the validity and period limitations of the Schengen visa?
You may travel in the Schengen Area for a period of 90 days within a 180-day period.
How long is a Schengen visa valid in Colombia?
Schengen visas holders must ensure their visa is valid for at least 180 days from their arrival date in Colombia.
How long can you stay in Kosovo with a Schengen visa?
Travellers with a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa are exempt from having a separate Kosovo Visa to enter, transit or stay in the Territory of the Republic of Kosovo for up to 15 days within a 6-month period.
What is a C visa?
The “C” category stands for a short-term visa. This means that once you’ve obtained this type of visa you are able to reside in the Schengen Area for a certain period of time depending on the visa validity. This particular category, according to the purpose of the travel can be obtained in a form of: Single-entry visa.
Which countries allow double entry?
Croatia. Since the 22 nd of the July 2014, the Republic of Croatia agreed to allow all travellers holding valid Schengen Visas (type C, double or multiple entry) to enter, transit and stay in its territory without needing to provide an additional Croatian visa.
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa, issued by any of the Schengen member states, authorizes its holders to travel freely and cross the internal borders of any European Union Schengen country. A Schengen visa also grants the right to enter all the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Schengen countries. On the other hand, the European Union member countries that are not part of the Schengen Area also grant a visa-free entry to third-country nationals, as long as they fulfill two basic requirements: they hold a valid Schengen visa; their country has a visa waiver agreement with the given non-Schengen European country that wants to be visited.
How many countries are in the Schengen Area?
A total of 26 countries form the Schengen Area by entering into a mutual agreement to allow the free movement of all Schengen nationals, remove internal borders and strengthen the external ones. Twenty-two of those countries are European Union members, while the other 4 are part of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association).
What is a single entry visa?
Single-entry visa: This Uniform Schengen Visa allows its holder to enter a Schengen country once for a limited period of time. After the foreign visitor exits the country, the visa expires automatically.
What happens if you overstay your Schengen visa?
Overstaying a Schengen visa can have serious consequences as it means breaking the terms of your travel permit as well as the European immigration and visa policies. You should respect the validity of your visa and leave the Schengen territory before it expires. “If you do not, you may have issues obtaining a Schengen visa in the future, need to pay fines, and face even more serious consequences.
How long can a Schengen visa last?
UNIFORM SCHENGEN VISA (USV) The Uniform Schengen Visa, issued by one of the Schengen Area member countries, permits residence in the desired Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days, during a period of 180 days from the initial entry date.
What is a national visa?
Under normal circumstances, the National Visa is a single-entry visa for a limited period, which would cover the exact purpose of the applicant’s visa request, be it employment or education related.
How many pages are needed for a Schengen visa?
The passenger’s passport along with photocopies of all previous Schengen visas. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for a minimum of 3 months, prior to departure. Round trip reservations such as hotel/room/flight bookings, together with their identifying reservation numbers.
Where to apply for Schengen visa?
Although you have to apply at the consulate or embassy of the country where you are traveling to, if you are planning to spend an equal amount of time in Schengen States, for example, on cruises or bus tours, you should apply at the embassy of the country which is your first port of entry.
What happens when I enter Europe on a Schengen Visa?
If you are traveling to Europe on a Schengen Visa, when you enter a country in the Schengen Area covered by your visa, your documents will be checked to see if they are in order. This is your first port of entry.
What information do I need to provide about my first port of entry when applying for my Schengen Visa?
When applying for a Schengen Visa, you will need to provide a full itinerary of your trip - including where you plan to enter the Schengen Area (your first port of entry ), and flight bookings proving this.
What is the first port of entry for Schengen?
Your first port of entry when making your application will be the place where you enter the Schengen Area for the first time. On each return trip, your first port of entry will be where you return to the Schengen Area.
How long does a single entry visa last?
These can last for a short period of 90 or 180 days, or one, three or five years.
Do you need a visa to enter the Schengen area?
Your first port of entry does not need to be the country which issued you with a Schengen Visa - as you must apply to the country where you are planning to spend the majority of your stay in the Schengen Area. When deciding which country to apply for a visa, this is determined by which country you're planning to spend the most time, according to your filed itinerary. Once the visa is issued, it does not matter what country is your point of entry.
What is a Schengen visa?
Schengen visa is a sticker that is affixed to the traveler’s passport. Applicants for Schengen visas are always advised to have at least one blank page in their passports when applying for a Schengen visa.
How long can you travel with a Schengen visa?
This depends on the country you are from. Schengen visas are usually short-visit visas, and they are legal for up to a maximum of ninety (90) days.
Why is a Schengen visa important?
Schengen visa helps in making traveling around the globe easier, including traveling to nations in the EU (European Union). Thus, why not make the most of these amazing visa-free rules and travel to more nations than you initially planned.
How much is a visa on arrival in Barbuda?
The visa on arrival is for single entry up to a maximum of thirty (30) days. The fee for the visa you get on arrival is $100. Visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Barbuda and Antigua for more information.
Do you have to have a visa to enter Schengen?
You would have to produce the visa before entering specific Schengen countries, and not for every other country you decide to visit thereafter.
Do you need a visa to travel to Mexico?
But, this requirement is relinquished in case you have a valid and acceptable Schengen visa. But , this is only for business and tourism purposes.
Albania
- Located in Southeastern Europe, Albania is still not a part of the Schengen Zone or the European Union, but if you have a valid Schengen visa you can enter Albania visa-free for 90 days. Albania began negotiations to join the EU in 2003, and now it’s on the list of candidates who applied for EU membership. So, to help this transition in the future, it has adopted a visa policy similar to the Sc…
Antigua and Barbuda
- If you have a Schengen visa that is still valid, you can enter Antigua and Barbuda without applying for a national visa. However, after you arrive in the country, you must obtain a visa on arrival (VOA) available only to specific travellers, i.e., those who possess a valid Schengen visa. Remember that you can get a VOA only if you visit Antigua and Barbuda for tourism, and you can only stay for 3…
Belarus
- If you are a national of the following countries, you can enter Belarus visa-free if you possess a Schengen visa: 1. Egypt 2. Gambia 3. Haiti 4. India 5. Iran 6. Jordan 7. Lebanon 8. Namibia 9. Pakistan 10. Samoa 11. South Africa 12. Vietnam However, you’re eligible to enter visa-free in Belarus only if you hold a flight ticket to your home country...
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is recognized as a potential candidate to join the EU, allowing foreign nationals to enter visa-free if they have a Schengen visa. But, the visa-free period is valid only for 30 days. Additionally, this privilege is not extended to holders of Kosovan passports— which means if you are a Kosovo citizen, you cannot enter Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free even if yo…
Colombia
- Visa-free stay for 90 days within a 180 day period is allowed in Colombia if you hold a valid Schengen visa, and you are from the following countries: 1. Cambodia 2. China 3. India 4. Macau (180 days) 5. Myanmar 6. Thailand 7. Vietnam Keep in mind that this is applicable only if your Schengen visa has not expired yet.
Northern Cyprus
- Northern Cyprus is territory on the northeastern section of the island of Cyprus. It’s recognized as an independent country only by Turkey. Due to the political division, Northern Cyprus is not a part of the Schengen Area or the EU, but foreigners who have a valid visa from any Schengen country can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. However, you might not need a visa since most visitors can …
Georgia
- Foreign nationals who hold a Schengen visa can enter Georgia visa-free for 90 days within 180 days. However, if you are a national from Kosovo, Taiwan, and Palestine, you will be refused entry— you won’t even be allowed to transit unless you hold a residence visa from UAE.
Gibraltar
- Nationals from China, India, Mongolia, Morocco, and Russia enter Gibraltar if they have a Schengen visa valid for a minimum period of 7 days after entering the country. In 2020, the EU agreed to make Gibraltar a part of the Schengen area allowing Spain to issue Schengen visas for Gibraltar. However, this agreement is yet to be finalized.
Kosovo
- Anyone who holds a valid Schengen visa can enter Kosovo visa-free for 15 days— this includes holders of a valid biometric residence permit from a Schengen country. Currently, Kosovo is recognized as a potential candidate to join the EU, while it’s still not a part of the Schengen area.
Mexico
- If you possess a Schengen visa that is not yet expired, then you do not need to apply for a Mexico visa as long as you are visiting the country for tourism, business, or transit purposes. Please note that you must present your visa along with your passport at the point of entry.