A Guide To Schengen Visas

Since 1995, travellers from non-EU countries who wish to visit or transit through countries part of the Schengen area have been required to obtain a visa in advance. The Schengen area includes 26 European countries that do not implement border control procedures between them. Generally speaking, a valid Schengen visa makes it possible to enter the Schengen zone and travel between Schengen states without having to go through additional border controls. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, since there are several types of Schengen visas available.

The most common Schengen visas are short-term or uniform visas, and long-term or national visas. These documents vary in terms of length of validity, approved purposes of stay, and whether they grant access to one or more Schengen member states. Below we provide an overview on both short-term and long-term Schengen visas, as well as a description on how to apply for them. We also describe Limited Territorial Validity visas, which are sometimes granted under exceptional circumstances.

Uniform Schengen Visas / Short Stay visas

Uniform Schengen visas allow eligible travellers to transit through or stay in certain Schengen states for no more than 90 days in a 180-day period. Eligibility is based on country of citizenship, and a full list of the nationalities eligible for this type of visa can be found here.

Uniform Schengen visas are issued for travel, short-term residence, or transit through the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. There are three types of uniform Schengen visas available:

  • Uniform Schengen Visa Type A: Type A visas are intended for airport transit only. This document allows the holder to transit through the international area of an airport in a Schengen state, without actually entering the country. For example, a traveller with an Indian passport travelling to the United States with a stopover in a Schengen country must have a uniform Schengen visa Type A even if he / she does not intend to leave the transit airport. During the check-in process, airline agents will most likely require the traveller to show a valid visa before allowing him / her to board the plane. It is also worth noting that there are exemptions to the transit visa policy. These can be found here.
  • Uniform Schengen Visa Type B: Type B visas are similar to Type A visas in that they are only issued for transit purposes. However, a Type B visa allows the holder to enter and remain in the transit country for a period not exceeding 5 days.
  • Uniform Schengen Visa Type C: Type C visas allow the visa holder to temporarily travel or reside in countries part of the Schengen area. The maximum length of stay is 90 days in a period of 180 days. These visas are further subdivided into another three categories, based on whether the holder is allowed to leave and re-enter the Schengen area using the same visa:
    • Uniform Schengen Visa Type C – Single Entry: This visa expires once the visa holder leaves the Schengen territory, even if he/she does so before the 90 days allowed. No re-entry is allowed.
    • Uniform Schengen Visa Type C – Double Entry: This visa allows the holder to leave and re-enter the Schengen area once within the visa’s 90-day validity period.
    • Uniform Schengen Visa Type C – Multiple Entry: This visa allows the holder to leave and re-enter the Schengen area as many times as needed within the visa’s 90-day validity period.

How to apply for a Uniform Schengen visa / Short stay visa:

Applications for short-term Schengen visas are handled by the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country that the applicant wants to visit, or in some cases, by an appointed agency. For example, an Ecuadorian citizen who wants to visit Spain for a period not exceeding 90 days would need to apply for a uniform / short-term visa at the relevant Spanish consulate in Ecuador. If the applicant wants to visit more than one Schengen state, the application must be submitted at the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country where he / she intends to spend the highest number of days. For instance, a Chinese citizen who plans to visit the Schengen area and spend 21 days in France and 10 days in Greece would have to submit his/her application to the relevant French embassy or consulate in China. If the length of stay is equally distributed between various Schengen states, the visa application must be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the country that the applicant intends to visit first.

In some cases, a Schengen state may not have consular representation in the applicant’s home country. If this is the case, the applicant must find out which Schengen state represents the country he/she intends to visit, and submit the visa application at the embassy or consulate of this third country.

In addition to a valid passport with at least two empty pages and the completed application form, uniform / short-term visa applicants must submit:

  • Application fee (the specific amount changes over time, so applicants must check with the embassy or consulate for current fees).
  • Documents supporting the purpose of travel, such as airline itinerary, letter of invitation from the individual or organisation the applicant wants to visit, confirmed reservations, etc.
  • Proof of medical / travel insurance that covers repatriation costs.
  • A recent photograph. Photo guidelines are listed here.
  • Proof of funds.
  • Proof of accommodation arrangements.
  • A background check / police certificate issued by the authorities in the applicant’s home country.

In some cases, these documents will need to be translated and / or certified before submission. The relevant embassy or consulate can provide specific details on this requirement. It is recommended to submit the visa application not earlier than 3 months and no later than 15 days prior to the start of the trip. A decision is often made 15 to 30 days after receipt of the application, although in some cases it may take up to 60 days for an application to be processed.

Schengen Long-term / National Visas

Some travellers require a Schengen D Visa, also known as National Visa. This visa allows the holder to enter and remain a Schengen country for a specific period of time for purposes that include but are not limited to business or employment, education or training, or to receive medical treatment. National visas are also issued for family reunification purposes to non-EU citizens who wish to join their relatives in a Schengen country.

Type D visas are considered long-term visas and are not subject to the 90/180 day rule, but they do not grant permanent residence in a Schengen state. Like uniform visas, Type D or National Schengen visas are issued on a single or multiple entry basis.

How to apply for a Type D / National visa:

Applications for Type D / National visas must be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country that the applicant wants to visit. For example, a South African citizen who has enrolled in an approved study programme in France would need to apply for a Type D visa at the relevant French consulate in South Africa. In addition to a valid passport with at least two empty pages and the completed application form, Type D applications must include:

  • Documents supporting the purpose of travel, such as an employment contract or a university acceptance letter.
  • Proof of medical insurance.
  • Medical certificate issued by an approved centre.
  • Proof of funds.
  • A background check / police certificate issued by the authorities in the applicant’s home country.

In some cases, these documents will need to be translated and / or certified before submission. The relevant embassy or consulate can provide specific details on this requirement.

Limited Territorial Validity Visas

As its name suggests, a Limited Territorial Validity visa (abbreviated to LTV) only allows the holder to enter and stay a Schengen country or countries for a limited period of time, without giving access to the entire Schengen area. The visa sticker specifies which Schengen state is the point of entry and / or point of destination, and specifies where the visa holder may enter and leave the Schengen area.

A Limited Territorial Validity visa is a short-term visa normally issued in emergency circumstances or for humanitarian reasons to individuals who would not otherwise meet the requirements needed to be granted any other type of Schengen visa. This means that a Limited Territorial Validity visa cannot be used for business, leisure, or educational visits to any Schengen state.