What is a Schengen Visa? How to Buy?

The region covering the members of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association is called Schengen. Within the scope of the agreement, citizens of member countries can easily travel to countries in the Schengen area without complex procedures. Well, we hear about it from time to time. What is a Schengen visa?

In this guide, we will answer frequently asked questions about Schengen, one of the most common visa types for Europe. Here are the curious details about this visa type!

What is a Schengen Visa?

Citizens living in member countries of the European Free Trade Association and the European Union can travel to other countries in the region only with their ID and passport. It should be noted that there are also countries that are members of the European Union but are not in the Schengen area.

A visa is required from citizens of countries that are not included in the Schengen area. If this visa Schengen visa It is called . There are 29 countries that can be traveled with a Schengen visa. With this visa type, it is possible to travel in the Schengen region for up to 90 days.

Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement in 1985. The name of the Schengen area comes from the town in Luxembourg to which these countries signed.

Schengen Visa Countries

• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Belgium
• Malta
• Swedish
• czech republic
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Austria
• Greece
• Italy
• Estonia
• France
• Iceland
• Denmark
• Luxembourg
• Switzerland
• Poland
• Spain
• Germany
• Holland
• Finland
• Hungary
• Lithuanian
• Norway
• Portugal
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Romania

Countries that are members of the European Union but not in the Schengen area; Cyprus and Ireland. Schengen visa is not valid in these countries. It is possible to visit more than one country with a Schengen visa, depending on the conditions.

What are the Required Documents for Schengen Visa?

For a Schengen visa, documents must first be completed. Documents required for visa application;

• Signed application form
• ID photocopy
• International travel insurance
• Photo in desired dimensions
• Flight ticket
• Bank account information
• Residence information
• Valid passport
• It can be listed as hotel reservation.

From those working for a visa;

• payroll
• tax plate
• 4A service breakdown
• employer letter
• signature circular
• An employment certificate is required.

How to Get a Schengen Visa?

In order to obtain a Schengen visa, it must first be determined which of the above-mentioned countries you will visit. You should apply to the consulate or authorized visa offices of the countries in the Schengen area you are planning to visit.

After preparing the above-mentioned documents for visa, you can make an e-appointment online. As of August 2022, applications for the Schengen visa have started to be made electronically.

Visa application can be made in a single country or multiple countries. If several Schengen countries are to be visited with this visa, one point needs to be taken into consideration.

If two or more Schengen countries are to be visited, a visa must be applied for the country where you will spend the most time and which is your main destination. If the actual destination is not clear, then an application must be made to the Schengen country where the first entry will take place. Other countries in the Schengen area can be visited with a passport until the visa expires.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Schengen Visa?

Schengen visa application varies depending on the workload of the consulate general. It also varies depending on the nationality of the applicant. We can list the factors affecting the visa application period as follows:

• Foreign policy
• Bank account information
• Purpose of applying for a visa (family visit, tourism, trade, education, etc.)
• Flight and accommodation details
• Income status, nationality, profession and age of the applicant
• employer letter
• Workload of the Consulate General of the country to which the application is made
• Status of documents
• Whether the applicant has a criminal record

All the factors listed affect the evaluation process of the visa application. The visa application results in rejection or approval within approximately 15 days.

If the application is approved, you can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days. In fact, the visa validity period is 6 months. However, it is necessary to leave the region after the visa expires for 90 days.

Travel Health Insurance Conditions for Schengen Visa Application

In order to obtain a Schengen visa, you must first have travel health insurance. The duration of travel health insurance is until the day of stay in the Schengen area. Travel health insurance must be included in the documents submitted for the visa application.

If the visa application is rejected, the cost of travel health insurance may be refunded. To do this, a refund of the travel insurance fee must be requested from the consulate along with a document proving that the visa was rejected.

A person must have this insurance to cover expenses related to health problems he may encounter during his stay abroad.

A minimum of 30,000 Euros is required for travel health insurance. Additionally, the insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen area.

Travel health insurance covers the treatment of the insured. At the same time, it covers the expenses necessary to take him to his country in cases of death.

How Many Times to Enter the Schengen Area with a Schengen Visa?

The number of times to enter the Schengen Area is written on the visa. Three different options have been selected for entry to the Schengen Area. These options are as follows:

1. Multiple Entry

If the visa says “Multiple Entry”, multiple entries can be made to the Schengen Area. In other words, visitors can enter and exit the region unlimitedly during the validity period of the visa.

2. Single Entry

The word “Single Entry” on the visa indicates a single entry. You can only enter and exit the Schengen Area once.

3. Double Entry

The word “Double Entry” on the visa means double entry. A person can enter and exit the region twice during the validity of the visa.

What should be taken into consideration when filling out the Schengen Visa Application Form?

The form must be filled out carefully for the Schengen visa application to be accepted. When filling out the form, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• A minor’s application form must be filled out by their parents.
• The information to be specified in the form must be in a manner that supports the application. If incorrect information is provided, the application will be rejected.
• The form must be filled out with a black pen.
• The form must be downloaded from the website of the country you want to visit. The form must be filled out by computer or handwritten.
• Fields that do not concern the person should be marked as “No Answer” (NA).
• The person must fill in the fields relevant to him/her.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have researched frequently asked questions and answers regarding the Schengen visa for you.

Who Can Get a Schengen Visa?

Schengen visa is available to those who have a regular job. It is also available to retirees and students. The most important point that the person working at the consulate pays attention to during the application is whether the person will return to his country after the trip.

How Much is a Schengen Visa?

The price of this type of visa, which covers the European Free Trade Association and member countries of the European Union, changes every year. The Schengen visa fee for 2024 is determined as 90 euros.

There is no fee for children under 6 years old. For children between the ages of 6 and 12, you must pay 45 euros. Some people may charge a fee for this type of visa. People who can get a Schengen visa free of charge are:

• Those who have diplomatic and service passports
• scientific researchers
• Participants in seminars, trainings, conferences, cultural events and sports events organized by non-profit organizations. (Only in these events, no fee is charged for representatives aged 25 and under)

Which Country Is It Easiest to Issue a Schengen Visa?

Considering the data for 2020 and 2023, the country that issues this visa most easily is Lithuania.