Schengen Visa provides free access to almost 29 countries across Europe. Any of 29 Schengen Visa countries have the right to issue this visa but the benefits, duration, fees and requirements for the same depends upon the type of Schengen Visa that is being issued. There are currently four types of Schengen Visas that are issued by Schengen Visa Countries and the same are as follows:
- Type A Visa, also known as Airport Transport Visa
- Type B Visa, also known as Overland Transit visa
- Type C Visa, also known as Tourist visa
- Type D Visa, also known as long term visa.
Benefits of the Schengen Visas & Duration of Stay:
Schengen Visas, as mentioned earlier are of four types and the benefit of each type of visa are as follows:
- Type A Visa: This visa allows a person to transit through the international transit area of an airport located in one of the Schengen Visa Countries. This visa is valid for 24 hours only and hence the transit should happen within that timeframe.
- Type B Visa: This visa allows a person to layover in one of the Schengen Visa Countries for less than five days. This happens when a person is traveling from Non Schengen Visa Country to another Schengen Visa Country through a Schengen Visa Country.
- Type C Visa: This visa allows a person to travel through the territories of Schengen Visa Countries for 90 days in 180 consecutive days. This visa is available as Single Entry, Double Entry, or Multiple Entry based on your purpose
- Type D Visa: This visa allows a person to live, travel and work through the territories of Schengen Visa Countries for more than 90 days. This is a multiple entry visa.
List of Schengen Visa Countries:
The list of 29 Schengen Visa Countries are as follows:
| Austria | Latvia |
| Belgium | Lithuania |
| Bulgaria | Luxembourg |
| Croatia | Malta |
| The Czech Republic | The Netherlands |
| Denmark | Norway |
| Estonia | Poland |
| Finland | Portugal |
| France | Romania |
| Germany | Slovakia |
| Greece | Slovenia |
| Hungary | Spain |
| Iceland | Sweden |
| Italy | Switzerland |
| Liechtenstein | |
A point to be noted is that each country has its own requirements, rules and regulations for the visa.
Fees for Schengen Visa:
All the Schengen Visa Countries charge the same fees for three age categories in India. The fees for different age categories are as follows:
| Type | Cost |
| Adult | €90 |
| Children with age from 12 to 6 | €45 |
| Children below 6 | Free |
Time Taken to get the Schengen Visa:
The time taken for processing the Schengen Visa is at least 15 days, but it completely depends on you. In certain cases the time taken is 30 days and in extreme cases it might take 60 days as well. The time taken for each type of visa is as follows:
| Type of Schengen Visa | Processing Time |
| Type A – Airport Transit Visa | 1-2 days |
| Type B – Transit Visa | 1-2 days |
| Type C – Short Stay Visa | Minimum 11-15 days (Can go up to 45 days due to application or documentation issues) |
| Type D – Long Stay Visa | 2-4 weeks depending upon type of Long Stay Visa |
A point to be noted is that there is an expiration date for the visa so be ready to enter the Schengen Area within the stipulated timeframe.
Requirements for Schengen Visa:
Schengen Visa Requirements are dependent on each of Schengen Visa countries but the common requirements for the same are as follows:
- Schengen Visa application form that is filled and submitted to the embassy of any one of Schengen Visa Countries.
- Recent Two Passport Sized Photographs.
- A copy of your passport with an expiry date.
- A letter explaining your trip
- Confirmed return ticket
- Proof of Accomodation
- A mandatory travel insurance certificate.
Obtaining a Schengen Visa requires complete documentation and correct fill up of the Schengen Visa Application form. It also helps to know the type of visa that suits your purpose before applying for the same. The visa issued by one of the Schengen Visa Countries is valid in all of these countries.
Furthermore, it is useful to know the law and requirements of each Schengen Visa Countries in order to ensure successful application based on profile, visa requirements and purpose of the visit. Obtaining a Schengen visa for short or long trips to any of the Schengen countries is difficult to apply if you don’t take the help of Oasis Visas.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I visit multiple Schengen Visa Countries with one visa?
Yes with a single or multiple entry Schengen visa you can visit any of the 29 countries. - What are some reasons for Schengen visa application rejections?
Some of the common reasons why your Schengen visa application might be rejected include mismatch between documents, criminal record, incomplete application forms, incorrect personal or travel information, missing or incorrect documentation, insufficient funds and previous visa issues. - How much funds are required for a Schengen Visa?
The minimum bank balance required for a Schengen visa is around €3,000 or INR 300,000. You must have sufficient funds to cover your stay, at least €50 to €150 per day. You can submit proof of funds in the form of bank statements from the last six months. - What is the difference between a single entry and multiple entry Schengen visa?
The holder of a single-entry visa is only allowed to enter the Schengen Area once for a specific period of time. The validity of your visa expires once you leave the Schengen Area you entered, even if the time period authorized to stay in the Schengen Area has not yet expired, but a multiple-entry visa permits its holder to come and go as they please within the Schengen Area. - Are there any photo specifications for the Schengen visa application?
The photo specifications are as follows –
Standard size of 35mm x 45mm
Taken no longer than 6 months from the date of application
No borders on the photograph
Light or white background
No accessories
The face should cover 80% of the photograph
How can Oasis Visas help?
Oasis Visas can help in the following ways:
- Assess the proper visa type for your application
- Ensure documentation
- Help in filling the application forms
- Review all your documents
- Assist in the visa application process
