How to get a Schengen visa? The process of issuing a visa to Europe
Finally, the time has come, and you decided to fulfill your dream - to go to Europe! The first question you will face is the opening of the Schengen visa. For those who have never received such a visa, it may seem that this is a complicated process, but this is only due to lack of knowledge and lack of information. In this article we will acquaint you with the concept of "Schengen visa" and ways of obtaining it.
The Schengen visa is an agreement signed between 26 countries. It gives the right to enter and travel around the countries that are on this list. Schengen visa( Schengen) is a sticker for one page of the passport. It indicates the following information: the surname, the name of the tourist, the country that approved your visa, the validity period and the number of days allowed to stay there.
And now proceed to the most important. Very carefully study the information provided below, if you want to get a visa without problems.
So, the Schengen visa can be obtained in the following ways:
Each method has its pros and cons. The simplest, most effective, but expensive option is to obtain a visa through services that specialize in this( ie, the third option).
By choosing the second method( travel agency) your task will also be facilitated. Experienced professionals will help you collect the necessary documents, and the courier will submit them for a visa. Your task is only to provide documents. A significant disadvantage here is that, more often than not, agencies help in obtaining a visa for those who purchase a full package of tourists( tickets, hotel accommodations, group bus services, medical insurance).
But what if you found a convenient option for you flight, accommodation and do not want to book a tour in the agency? Then, your option - an independent campaign in the consulate!
For all those who wish to obtain a visa to Europe, the same requirements are required for the basic list of documents( regardless of the chosen method of obtaining).
Other documents are provided on an individual basis, if necessary.
Be extremely attentive. Before filing, clarify all requirements for documents on the website of the consulate of the selected country. This will save you time and significantly reduce the risk of denial of a visa when reviewing your documents.
The process of obtaining a Schengen visa is a consultation on documents from specialists in the consulate, their collection, filing for filing, the delivery of documents, payment of consular fees( usually carried out locally), obtaining a visa.
Recommendations for self-design
Remember a few simple but very important rules that will help you avoid denial of a visa:
We wish you success in obtaining a Schengen visa!
The Schengen visa is an agreement signed between 26 countries. It gives the right to enter and travel around the countries that are on this list. Schengen visa( Schengen) is a sticker for one page of the passport. It indicates the following information: the surname, the name of the tourist, the country that approved your visa, the validity period and the number of days allowed to stay there.
Schengen visa departments
- Short-term. Most often these are standard tourist visas. With the help of a short-term Schengen visa, you have the right to enter only one Schengen zone and stay there no more than the time specified in the visa.
- Multivision. This type of visa is an approved multiple entry and exit permit from the Schengen countries. What exactly is the gap you are given always indicated in the visa itself.
- Visitor visas. Means visiting relatives and friends. Such a visa can be approved only if there is an invitation from the person you want to go to. The invitation has certain nuances that need to be clarified before submitting documents.
- Business visas. Are given out to those who go for business purposes. An invitation is required from the organization with which you are cooperating.
- Student visas. The name speaks for itself - such visas are approved for those citizens who leave for the purpose of studying in the chosen country. Issued for different periods.
- Transit visas. Transit means moving from one country to another.
- Working visas. Approved if you have a work permit from a foreign organization from which you plan to work.
Three main ways to obtain a visa
And now proceed to the most important. Very carefully study the information provided below, if you want to get a visa without problems.
So, the Schengen visa can be obtained in the following ways:
- Independently received through the consulate or visa center at the consulate of the country you need.
- Obtaining a visa through a travel agency in conjunction with a voucher.
- Manufacturing of a visa through organizations whose specialization is assistance in the preparation of visas.
Each method has its pros and cons. The simplest, most effective, but expensive option is to obtain a visa through services that specialize in this( ie, the third option).
By choosing the second method( travel agency) your task will also be facilitated. Experienced professionals will help you collect the necessary documents, and the courier will submit them for a visa. Your task is only to provide documents. A significant disadvantage here is that, more often than not, agencies help in obtaining a visa for those who purchase a full package of tourists( tickets, hotel accommodations, group bus services, medical insurance).
But what if you found a convenient option for you flight, accommodation and do not want to book a tour in the agency? Then, your option - an independent campaign in the consulate!
The basic documents that you will need
For all those who wish to obtain a visa to Europe, the same requirements are required for the basic list of documents( regardless of the chosen method of obtaining).
- Passport, the expiration date of which must meet the requirements of the selected country.
- Photos, the requirements of which vary from country to country.
- Questionnaire. You can download from the website of the consulate and, based on the sample, fill it yourself, but for those who receive a visa for the first time, we recommend that you consult specialists.
- A document that confirms that you will, where to live. It can be: booking a hotel or a house, a private invitation from relatives, business partner or organization to which you will work( if you have a work visa).
- A document showing how you plan to reach your destination. As such a document can be: air and railway tickets, documents for the car( if you decide to go this way).
- Document confirming your financial well-being. Help with work, extracting your bank account and credit cards, travel checks. In special cases it will also be appropriate to show that you own real estate and cars by submitting the relevant documents when filing.
- Copy of the internal passport. Typically, you need to make copies of pages where there are any marks, but there are countries( for example, Spain) that need to provide all the pages, including clean ones.
Other documents are provided on an individual basis, if necessary.
Be extremely attentive. Before filing, clarify all requirements for documents on the website of the consulate of the selected country. This will save you time and significantly reduce the risk of denial of a visa when reviewing your documents.
The process of obtaining a visa
The process of obtaining a Schengen visa is a consultation on documents from specialists in the consulate, their collection, filing for filing, the delivery of documents, payment of consular fees( usually carried out locally), obtaining a visa.
Recommendations for self-design
Remember a few simple but very important rules that will help you avoid denial of a visa:
- Never make fake documents for filing with the consulate. Looks like papers, like the originals, but you will very quickly be led to clean water and put down a refusal.
- Apply for a visa only to the country you are going to enter. For example, you decided to visit Germany, but you heard that it is much harder to get a visa there than in Greece. Regardless, apply for a German visa.
- Completing the questionnaire, do not cheat! Answer honestly all questions! You do not need a refusal, a canceled trip and a spoiled vacation?
- Feel free to attach a cover letter to the general package of documents in free form addressed to the consul, expressing your esteem, asking you to open a visa.
- It's trite, but do not be late for the appointed time for filing a package of documents.
We wish you success in obtaining a Schengen visa!