How to Apply for a Schengen Visa: A Simple Solution for Traveling to Europe

The term Schengen Visa may be familiar to many, especially for those who frequently travel to Europe. In short, the Schengen Visa is a convenient solution for travelers who wish to visit multiple European countries without having to apply for separate visas for each one.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a travel permit that allows its holder to enter, stay, or move within 29 countries in the Schengen Area without needing a separate visa for each country. These 29 countries include:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The Schengen Visa is intended for short stays—usually up to 90 days within a 180-day period—for purposes such as tourism, business, or family visits.

However, even though a Schengen Visa grants access to all Schengen countries, specific rules apply:

• The visa must be issued by the embassy of the main destination country, i.e., the country where you’ll stay the longest.
• If the duration of stay is roughly equal across countries, you should apply through the embassy of the country you will enter first.

Note that some Schengen countries may have slightly different requirements, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific embassy website of your destination country.

Schengen Visa Application Fee

Fees may vary depending on the country’s embassy where the application is submitted. However, general guidelines are:

• Adults: €90
• Children aged 6–12: €45
• Children under 6: usually exempt from fees

These fees do not include the service charges from VFS Global and may change depending on each country's policies or the type of visa requested. Always verify the latest fees on the official embassy or consulate website.

Schengen Visa Requirements

Here are the documents you’ll need to apply for a Schengen Visa:

• Travel insurance
• Completed visa application form
• Passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure date, with at least 2 blank pages)
• Photocopy of all passport pages
• Recent passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months)
• Proof of financial means and socio-economic status, such as:
  - Employment letter stating job title, duration, and salary
  - Employment contract copy
  - Personal bank statements (last 3 months)
  - International credit card and photocopy, plus related bank statement
  - Social ties documentation: family card, birth certificate
• Proof of travel: flight bookings, hotel reservations, and a full travel itinerary
• If staying with family or friends: a signed invitation letter from the host with proof of accommodation

For minors (under 18) traveling alone or with one parent only:

• A travel consent letter signed by both parents or the non-traveling parent/guardian, including copies of their passports or ID cards. The letter must be notarized.
• The parent/guardian can also submit the application directly.
• Child’s birth certificate

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

Once all required documents are ready, follow these steps:

1. Determine your main destination country
   This will be the country where you spend the most time, or if durations are equal, your first point of entry.

2. Book an appointment via VFS Global
   Choose the country and book a time slot for submission.

3. Attend your appointment
   Arrive at the embassy or visa center 15 minutes early. Bring all required documents. If you haven’t paid the visa fee online, you can pay it on-site.

4. Submit your documents and biometrics
   After submission, you’ll receive a receipt, which you can use to track your visa application status.

Applications must be submitted no more than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before your departure date.

Most applications are processed within 15 calendar days, although some cases may take up to 45 days. Your passport will be held during this period and cannot be taken back until the visa process is complete.

You can track your application status using the reference number provided at submission here.

If Your Schengen Visa is Denied

If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal. Here’s how:

• Write an appeal letter and sign it. If someone else is filing on your behalf, they must sign the appeal letter, scan it, and provide a power of attorney.
• Include your valid ID copy and supporting documents.
• There is no fee for submitting an appeal.

Make sure your documents are complete and that you clearly explain the reason for your appeal. Check the official embassy website of the relevant country for exact procedures and appeal deadlines.