The final guide for obtaining a Schengen visa – Dr. Mehrayin Mokhbari Immigration Institute

Obtaining a Schengen visa

There are many tempting factors that can lead you to Obtaining a Schengen visa to struggle The enchanting canals of Venice, the historic streets of Prague or the architectural wonders of Barcelona can all be among these factors. In general, if you are thinking of traveling to Europe for any reason, it is better to familiarize yourself with the Schengen visa before you leave. A Schengen visa is a permit that allows you to travel freely to the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen area. Without needing separate visas for each country. All in all, the Schengen visa will be your gateway to a unique travel experience in Europe. About the difficulties Obtaining a Schengen visa Don't worry either. If you stay with this article, which is a comprehensive guide about the Schengen visa, we will teach you how to do it.

Introduction of European Schengen visa

European Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to freely enter the Schengen area. A region that includes 26 European countries. The concept of the Schengen area was created in 1985 through the Schengen Agreement. The purpose of the aforementioned agreement was to create a borderless area so that people can travel in this area without the need for country visas. The Schengen area includes most of the member states of the European Union, as well as several countries outside the European Union, such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This means that with a Schengen visa, you can visit several Schengen member countries without having to go through border control stations or obtain a separate visa for each country.

In general, the European Schengen visa is often one of two types, depending on the purpose and duration of your visit:

A) Visa with limited territorial validity (Type C): This visa allows travelers to visit only the specific Schengen countries listed on the visa sticker. This type of visa is issued in exceptional cases or for humanitarian reasons.

b) National visa (type D): This visa is issued by a specific Schengen country for a long-term stay with specific purposes, such as work, study or family reunification. This visa allows individuals to stay in that particular country beyond the 90-day Schengen limit.

A few important points before proceeding Obtaining a Schengen visa

a) before Obtaining a Schengen visa Note that this visa does not guarantee entry into the Schengen area; Immigration officials at the point of entry have the right to check your documents and ask for more information about your visit. However, in most cases having a valid Schengen visa will make the entry process smoother and easier.

b) To apply for a Schengen visa, you usually need to specify a Schengen country as the main country you are visiting. This is the country where you should submit your Schengen visa application to its embassy or consulate. There are several documents that you will send with this request. Including the completed application form, suitable photos for passport, valid passport, travel plan, etc.

Several documents must be sent to the consulate or embassy along with the European Schengen visa application.

c) It is very important to plan your trip in advance and apply for a European Schengen visa at least a few weeks before your departure date. Application processing time may vary depending on the time and country of origin of the application. Therefore, it is always recommended to contact the embassy or consulate of your Schengen visa origin country for the most up-to-date information.

Eligibility criteria for Obtaining a Schengen visa

1- The purpose of the trip

Individuals must meet certain criteria in order to Obtaining a Schengen visabe eligible. These criteria ensure that the applicant is a genuine traveler and has valid reasons for visiting the Schengen area. The first criterion is the clarity of the purpose of the trip. The main purpose of the trip must correspond to one of the permitted items listed in the Schengen visa guidelines. These include tourism, business, family visits, education, treatment, or participation in cultural or sporting events.

2- Valid passport

Applicants' passports Obtaining a Schengen visa It must be valid for at least three months longer than the duration of their stay in the Schengen area and must not be older than ten years. It is necessary to have at least two blank pages in this passport.

3- Proof of travel insurance

Another prerequisite Obtaining a Schengen visa Having travel insurance. Insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for medical emergencies, repatriation and third party liability. The insurance must be valid during the entire stay in the Schengen area.

4- Sufficient financial power

Applicants Obtaining a Schengen visa They must show that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in the Schengen area. This can be proven with bank statements, payslips, letters of financial support or any other proof of financial stability.

5- Previous travel history

It is better to apply Obtaining a Schengen visa He should have a clean record regarding his previous trips (especially trips to Schengen member countries). Good track record in complying with visa rules and regulations, luck Obtaining a Schengen visa increases.

6- Intention to return

Applicants Obtaining a Schengen visa They must provide evidence of their intention to return to their country. This evidence can be in the form of employment documents, property ownership, family ties or any other important link with the country of origin.

7- Travel plan

Having a detailed itinerary is also necessary. A program that is partially defined by flight, train or other means of transportation reservation documents. In addition, the itinerary must contain the planned activities and destinations while in the Schengen area.

8- Residence documents

Some applicants Obtaining a Schengen visa They claim that they intend to stay in the destination country with their friends or family members. Such people must provide proof of this stay, such as hotel reservations, rental contracts, or invitations. In addition, their place of residence should be proportional to their length of stay.

9- Not being a threat to public order

Applicants Obtaining a Schengen visa They should not be considered as a threat to public order, national security or international relations of any of the Schengen member states. They should not have any previous criminal record or be involved in any illegal activities.

10- Additional documents

Depending on the purpose of the trip, additional documents may be requested from the applicants. Documents such as invitation letters, business contracts, registration letters from educational institutions, medical certificates, etc.

The invitation letter is one of the additional or supporting documents and you may need it to get your Schengen visa.

Documents you need to provide to support your Schengen visa application.

Two additional points about the documents you provide for the European Schengen visa

– Remember to always submit original documents along with photocopies. In addition, the consulate or embassy reserves the right to request additional documents from you if necessary.

– Providing a complete and accurate set, your chances for Obtaining a Schengen visa greatly increases Ignoring or falsifying any information may result in the rejection of your application. Therefore, take enough time to collect and carefully prepare all the required documents.

Steps to apply for a European Schengen visa

1- Determining the embassy or consulate

The first step in the European Schengen visa application process is to specify the consulate or embassy you wish to apply to. This depends on the country you have specified as the main destination in the Schengen area. Each country has its own embassy or consulate. It is better to choose a country as the main destination where it is easier to access the embassy or consulate of that country than the province where you live.

2- Collect the required documents

The documents required for the European Schengen visa are explained in the table above. The only point is that it is better to check the specific conditions of the consulate or embassy you are applying for. Because you may be asked for additional documents.

3- Scheduling an appointment and submitting an application

Once you have collected all the necessary documents to apply for a European Schengen visa, you must also make an appointment at the embassy or consulate. It is recommended to schedule such an appointment in advance. Because there may suddenly be a high demand for visa appointments at that particular embassy. A request from others that will delay your work. On the day of your appointment, submit your visa application and all supporting documents to the embassy or consulate. Make sure that you will provide all the required documents on the specified day. Because any incomplete or incorrect application may lead to delay or even rejection.

4- Visa fee payment

Along with your European Schengen visa application, you must pay a non-refundable fee. The amount of this fee may vary depending on the type of visa and the consulate or embassy you are applying for. First of all, be prepared to pay in cash.

5- Participating in an interview (if necessary)

In some cases, the embassy or consulate may also ask you to attend an in-person interview. This is usually done to assess the genuineness of your request and to clarify any doubts. In this interview, be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans, purpose of travel and your financial situation.

6- Track the status of your application

After submitting your European Schengen visa application, you can track the status of your application. This tracking can be done both online and through the specified tracking system of the embassy or consulate. It is recommended that you follow up regularly to ensure that you are fully informed of any additional information required. Also, with these follow-ups, you will find out more quickly whether a decision has been made on your request or not.

7- Getting a visa

If your request is approved, you will finally reach the last step, which is the same Obtaining a Schengen visa Is. At the end, you will receive your Schengen visa in the form of a sticker affixed to your passport.

European Schengen visa fees

When planning to apply for a European Schengen visa, you should consider the costs of this application and the processing time. Each country in the Schengen area has specific fees and timelines for processing visa applications. So it is important to be aware of these details before applying for a visa. In general, the visa fee is the fee you have to pay to process your Schengen visa application. This fee will vary depending on various factors such as your nationality, purpose of visit and age group. In general, visa fees are higher for adults compared to children and minors.

Another point is that the European Schengen visa fee is a non-refundable fee regardless of whether the visa application is approved or rejected. Therefore, it is very important that you carefully prepare and submit all the required documents to increase the chances of your application being successful. To determine the exact visa fee, you should visit the official website of the embassy or consulate of your chosen Schengen country. This website will provide up-to-date information on current visa fees and any additional fees that may apply to you.

Concept of processing time before Obtaining a Schengen visa

Means processing time in the topic Obtaining a Schengen visa, is the length of time the embassy or consulate needs to review and evaluate your visa application. Processing time can vary depending on several factors, including the time of year, the complexity of the application, and the specific embassy or consulate you are applying to. On average, a Schengen visa application is processed within 15 calendar (working) days. However, processing time may take longer in certain cases (for example, during peak travel seasons or when your request requires more detailed review).

It is recommended that you apply for your European Schengen visa before your planned travel date. This gives the embassy or consulate more time to properly process your application. In addition, your early application will reduce the likelihood of any potential delays due to the need for additional documents. Another important point is that some Schengen countries have enabled fast or immediate processing of the Schengen visa by paying an additional fee on behalf of the applicants. If you need to get your visa urgently or have a specific deadline to meet, you can directly inquire about such urgent services from the embassy or consulate.

last word

At the end of this article it should be said that Obtaining a Schengen visa It is a vital step for anyone planning to travel to Europe. This ultimate guide provides you with comprehensive information on everything you need to know about the Schengen visa process. We hope that you will be able to receive your Schengen visa as soon as possible by following the above. Of course, you should remember that even for the Schengen visa, it is very important to comply with the visa restrictions such as the length of stay and the number of entries. Violating these restrictions can have serious consequences for you and may negatively affect your future travel plans. So be very careful about adhering to such restrictions. For a free and professional consultation to obtain a Schengen visa, contact Dr. Mehrayin Mokhbari's Immigration Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1- What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a permit that allows you to travel freely to the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen area. Without needing separate visas for each country.

2- What are the types of Schengen visa?

Visa with limited territorial validity (type C) – national visa (type D)

3- For what purpose is Schengen visa issued?

These include tourism, business, visiting family, studying, treatment, or participating in cultural or sports events.