A Schengen visa is a document issued by the relevant authority that permits its holder to travel to any country that is a signatory of the Schengen Agreement or within the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area includes 26 member countries, 22 of which are EU members. Non-EU countries such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein have also joined the Schengen Agreement, allowing free movement within the area.

A Schengen visa is presented as a sticker placed on the passport, and its design is uniform across all Schengen Area countries.

There are various types of Schengen visas, and their validity depends on the purpose of the travel.

Schengen area countries

The Schengen Area Member States are:

Schengen Visa Requirements

The main documents required for a Schengen Visa are:

1. Valid travel document (passport): Your passport must be valid for three months beyond the visa expiry date and have at least two blank pages. Copies of the passport’s first page and any previous visas should be included.
2. Completed and signed Schengen visa application form.
3. Proof of visit purpose: This could be a reservation, proof of accommodation, or an invitation if visiting relatives or friends.
4. Proof of sufficient financial means during your stay in the Schengen Area.
5. Two passport-sized photos: These should be recent, in the correct format, and with a white background.
6. Travel insurance policy: This must cover medical emergencies and hospital care with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, valid for all Schengen countries throughout your stay.

For underage applicants:

• Birth certificate.
• Both parents must sign the visa application form.
• Certified copies of both parents’ passports.
• Written consent from both parents for the child to travel alone.
• Certified copy of the court decision if one parent has sole custody.

Additional documents may be required depending on the type of visa:

Transit visa:

• Confirmed airline ticket to the destination country and a copy.
• Copy of a valid visa for the destination country, if applicable.

Tourist visa:

• Bank statement for the last 6 months.
• Leave letter from your employer (if employed).
• Detailed travel itinerary, hotel reservations, or a formal invitation from a resident of a Schengen country.
• Proof of flight reservation.
• Proof of accommodation for the entire stay.
• Proof of civil status (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, if applicable).

Business visa:

• Cover letter explaining the visit’s purpose.
• Original certified copy of the Memorandum and Article of Association/Trade License/Proprietorship documents.
• Current bank statements.
• Letter from employer detailing the travel purpose and itinerary.
• Invitation letter from the partner company in the Schengen area, faxed to the corresponding diplomatic mission.
• Statement regarding travel expenses coverage.
• Airplane ticket reservations.
• Proof of accommodation for the entire stay.

Traveling for training purposes:

• Certificate of enrollment at an eligible institution.

Other short-term travel purposes:

• Invitation letter.
• Entry ticket for an event.
• Document proving the travel purpose if enrolling in a program.

Traveling for studies:

• Two application forms.
• Acceptance letter from a Schengen country university/college/school.
• Proof of financial means.

Traveling for employment:

• Two application forms.
• Employment contract.

Traveling to visit relatives/friends:

• Proof of financial status. If expenses are covered by the relative/friend, a formal document issued by the competent authorities to a resident of a Schengen country.
• Formal invitation from the relative/friend.
• If the applicant covers the expenses, the relative/friend’s name, address, and passport copy.
• If the relative/friend is not a citizen of the Schengen country, a copy of their residency permit is required.

Traveling for family reunification with a Schengen spouse:

• Two application forms.
• Original and certified copy of the international marital certificate.
• Copy of the spouse’s passport if a Schengen country citizen. If the spouse is not a Schengen country citizen but resides in a Schengen country, a copy of their residency permit is needed.