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Schengen Visa allows an individual to transit through or to stay in one or more Member States within the Schengen Zone. The visa allows a maximum of 90 days of stay under the short stay scheme and it can differ based on the visa type. Considering the fact that India contributes to a larger inflow of tourists in the Schengen areas each year, any Indian aspiring for the Schengen Visa must understand the various factors concerning the eligibility criteria, fees, and various other regulations.
A Schengen Visa allows access to 26 member states or countries which are part of the Schengen Agreement. Within the Schengen Zone, there are 26 member states with 22 members from the European Union Member States and the remaining four from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The member states do not carry out border checks at their internal borders as the controls are based on predefined criteria as per the Schengen agreement.
The Schengen Area/Zone is defined by the Schengen Agreement where the members allow free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, services, and capital, based on common rules. The members share common travel and movement rights which helps them in controlling external borders by strengthening the common judicial system and police cooperation. The Schengen Zone consists of the following members –
The abolition of borders between the members of the Schengen area benefits the citizens and the governments in various ways. Few of the features of the Schengen Zone are listed below –
The Schengen Zone has implemented strong security systems to protect the citizens from fraud, criminals, etc. The security system consists of Visa Information System (VIS), Schengen Information System (SIS), and European Dactyloscopy (EURODAC) that helps the members in developing and sharing a database for various reasons. The databased helps the members in accessing information of people entering the Schengen Zone, people who are flagged for criminal activities, and people who banned from entering the Schengen Zone. The details of each of the systems are listed below –
All Indian citizens and citizens of other nations who are currently residing in India can apply for a Schengen Visa in India. The citizens of the following countries are required to apply for a Schengen Visa in order to visit any of the Schengen member states –
The completed application form along with the required documents need to be submitted by the Embassy/Consulate or its representatives in India. The following list mentions the required details for the application of the Schengen Visa –
There are various types of Schengen Visas which determine the validity and limitation of the visit. Based on the consulate/embassy of the member which issues the visa, the validity and rules may differ. The Schengen Visa is broadly divided into the following three categories –
Under the three categories of Schengen Visa, the following types of visa are granted to the applicants –
Tourist Schengen Visa – When an individual needs to visit any of the Schengen Area to meet his/her family/friends or for tourism, he/she needs to apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa. Once the visa is approved, the visa holder can reside in a Schengen country for a maximum of three months, unless the visa mentions different. This type of visa doesn’t allow the visa holder to work in the Schengen Zone, unless the visa mentions differently.
The citizens from the specified countries are required to apply for a short-term Tourist Schengen Visa when they wish to travel to any of the Schengen Zone. Whether the visa is obtained under the single-entry or multiple-entry scheme, the visa holder is not allowed to stay for more than 90 days in a six-month period from the date of entering the Schengen Zone.
Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process –
Tourist Visa Validity– The Tourist Visa allows the visa holder to reside in the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days. Based on whether it’s a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, the visa holder can enter and leave the Schengen zone accordingly. If the visa holder needs to reside in a Schengen Zone for more than 90 days, he/she will need to apply at the consulate/embassy again.
Business Schengen Visa – In order to visit any of the Schengen Area for the sole purpose of business, the individual must apply for a Business Schengen Visa. The visa is issued under business specifications of the short-term visa scheme.
Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process –
Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process –
Business Visa Validity – Based on the nature of the business and the applicant’s request, he/she may stay up to a maximum of three months or 90 days per year in between the period of 6 months. Depending on the particular Schengen country the applicant will be entering first and residing the most number of days during the visit, the visa application will need to be submitted at that particular consulate/embassy in India. Applicants are advised to apply for the Business Schengen Visa at least two weeks prior to the departure date of the travel.
Student Schengen Visa – If the applicant is a student and desires to pursue studies in any of the Schengen countries, he/she will be required to apply for a Student Schengen Visa. The students from the countries which require a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen zone must follow the application process as specified by the particular consulate/embassy of that country.
Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process –
Student Visa Validity – If the duration of the study exceeds 90 days period in order to complete the whole academic period, the applicant/student must also apply for a residency permit which will allow him/her to reside for a one-year period. Based on the Schengen country the student is visiting, he/she will be required to apply for the visa in that particular embassy/consulate in India. Applicants are advised to apply for a Student Schengen Visa at least three months prior to the planned travel date.
Working (Employment) Schengen Visa – Residence Permit – This type of visa allows the citizens from the non-Schengen countries to work in a Schengen country with the help of the Residence Permit. The applicant may reside alone or with his family in the specified Schengen country during the course of his/her employment. The citizens of Australia, Canada, USA, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and many other European countries can apply for their Residence Permit after entering the Schengen zone without a visa.
Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process-
Working (Employment) Schengen Visa Validity – The applicants are advised to apply for a Working (Employment) Schengen Visa at least two months prior to the planned travel date. The visa issued on a long-term scheme which entitles the visa holder to all other benefits in the Schengen Zone as it applies to any other citizen of the Schengen Zone.
Transit Schengen Visa – The citizens of certain countries are required to obtain the Transit Schengen Visa in order to change flights within the Schengen Zone. This type of visa is applicable for travelers who are not entering the Schengen territory but changing an aero plane while travelling from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country. This type of visa falls under the short-term visa category.
