THE SCHENGEN VISA

A Schengen visa is a short stay visa allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen area. The Schengen area covers 26 countries ("Schengen States") without border controls between them. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The No 539/2001 Regulaiton of the European Council lists those countries whose nationals are exempted from holding a visa when crossing theexternal borders of the EU

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE SCHENGEN VISA

1. "A" VISA (AIRPORT TRANSIT VISA)

To enter the international zone of the airport and to remain there until the time of the departure of the flight to the destination country.

Only nationals of the following states are obliged to apply for an airport transit visa:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea,

Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka.

2. "B" VISA (TRANSIT VISA)

To travel across one or more Schengen countries. Maximum stay: 5 days

3. "C" VISA (SHORT TERM VISA)

Maximum stay: 90 days. The application has to be submitted on the embassy ir the consulate of the state which the applicant intend to visit. f the applicant is planning to visit two or more Schengen countries, it is highly recommended to be applying for the visa in the embassy/consulate of the country you will be residing in for most of the travelling days, referred to as the main destination.
In case there is no main destination but just a random visit to several Schengen countries, the applicant has to apply for the visa in the embassy/consulate on the first Schengen country he/she will enter according to the itinerary.

According to the Schengen rules border posts do normally not issue visas.

The decision usually made within 15 days.

4. "D" VISA (LONG TERM VISA -RESIDENCE PERMIT)

Maximum stay: over 90 days

Please check our section on Residence Permit

THE BASIC RULES OF THE SHORT TERM ("C" TYPE) VISA

The application has to be submitted personally.
The application has to be submitted 3 months prior the journey.
The application has to be submitted by filling the official "Visa Application" form.
One passport photo has to be attached.
The fee of the application is 80 €.
The passport must have at least two blank pages.
The applicant hast to have a sufficient travel health insurance policy.
Round trip reservation.
Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay in the Schengen area.
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay in the Schengen area.