We have collected helpful information about the most commonly asked questions regarding the Schengen visa. The majority of this information comes from the European Commission.
A Schengen visa allows you to travel throughout the 26 Schengen countries without having to get a visa for each individual country. You may travel in the Schengen Area for 90 days within a 180-day period.
For more detailed information regarding each Schengen country, please visit the Schengen Countries page.
Citizens of the following countries are required to hold a Schengen visa to travel within the Schengen Area:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burma/Myanmar
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo
Cote D'ivoire
Cuba
Democratic Republic Of Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
Sao Tome And Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Visit Schengen Visa: Everything You Need to Know for detailed information pertaining to citizens of other countries, citizens of exempt countries, and special situations.
In general, the application fee for a Schengen visa is:
The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.
Visit Schengen Visa: Everything You Need to Know for more detailed information about fees and exemptions.
In general, the application requirements are:
Valid passport
Two color photographs
Fingerprints on file
Application fee
Travel medical insurance policy meeting Schengen visa insurance requirements
Documentation of financial means, accommodation, purpose of travel, and intentions to leave Schengen Area when trip ends
Explore more in-depth information regarding the Schengen visa application requirements or get a detailed walk-through of the application process.
Your Schengen visa should be issued by the country that will be your longest duration stay. If you plan to spend equal amounts of time in each Schengen state you visit, then your visa should be issued by the Schengen country you plan to enter first.
There is no general requirement that you must enter the Schengen Area through the country that issued your visa. Your main destination may be different than your first destination. To prevent complications, stick to your itinerary as best you can.
You are required to apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate of your main Schengen country. You must apply at the consulate whose jurisdiction covers your permanent address. If you are living in a country other than your country of citizenship, your citizenship determines whether you need a Schengen visa, and your home address determines where you apply for a visa. Get more details here.
The general guidelines from the EU say it typically takes two weeks. Ideally, however, you should submit your application 30-60 days in advance. This will allow the consulate time to examine your application or request additional information. Note that you cannot submit an application any earlier than 3 months prior to the start date of your trip.
For the best chance of receiving Schengen visa approval in a timely manner, be sure that you schedule your Schengen visa application appointment at the appropriate embassy or consulate.
Also, ensure you've gathered all required and supporting documents prior to your appointment. This way, the embassy or consulate won't need to request additional documentation - which could delay the process.
Required and supporting documents include:
A completed and signed visa application form
Valid passport
Two recent color photographs that meet ICAO requirements
One-page document stating the dates and scope of travel medical insurance that meets Schengen visa requirements
The purpose of your travel
Proof of accommodation
Your intentions to return to your country of residence at the end of your trip
How you will pay for your trip expenses
Your travel medical insurance plan for a Schengen visa must meet these requirements:
Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros (about USD $34,000)
Coverage for repatriation for medical reasons
Coverage for emergency medical treatment
Coverage for expenses resulting from your death
Coverage for the entire period of your intended stay
Valid in all Schengen Area countries
There are 3 types of Schengen visas:
Airport Transit Visa (Type A) – to pass through a Schengen country on an airline layover from one non-Schengen country to another. Does not permit you to leave the international area of the airport.
Transit Visa (Type B) – to pass through a Schengen country during travel from one non-Schengen country to another by train, car, bus, or plane. Permits entry into the Schengen Area for up to five days.
Short-stay or Travel Visa (Type C) – most common Schengen visa. Permits travel within any country in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Please see the Schengen visa hub page for details on each of these visa types.
According to the EU, a allows entry to the Schengen Area only once, meaning you are not permitted to re-enter the Schengen Area after leaving, while a multiple-entry Schengen visa allows multiple entries into the Schengen Area within the visa’s validity period (90 days total within 180-day period). See Schengen Visa: Everything You Need to Know for more information.
No. You only need a valid passport with an expiration date three months beyond the latest date of your travel in the Schengen Area. You are afforded the same rights and restrictions as a Schengen visa holder without having to file any paperwork.
A Schengen visa is valid for a total of 90 days within a 180-day period. Multi-entry visas may be valid for 3 or 5 years.
You may not extend your Schengen visa simply to enjoy a longer travel period. Schengen visas can only be extended on a case-by-case basis for the following circumstances:
Unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance (force majeure)
Humanitarian reasons
Serious personal reasons preventing exit from the Schengen Area before current visa expires
Additionally, a visa can only be extended if you’ve stayed less than 90 days within the 180-day period and your current visa has not expired.
The European Commission outlines photo requirements and provides illustrations. Generally, the photo requirements include:
Photo is less than 6 months old
35-40mm in width
Close up of head and shoulders looking directly at the camera
Sharp focus with no ink marks or creases
Natural colors, skin tones, and brightness
Printed on high-quality photo paper at a high resolution
Eyes open and clearly visible (no hair across eyes)
Plain light-colored background
Uniform lighting with no shadows, flash reflections, or red eye
If you wear glasses – show your eyes clearly with no flash reflection on the glasses, no tinted lenses or heavy frames
Head coverings – Not permitted except for religious reasons. Must show facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead.
You alone with a neutral expression and closed mouth