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Answering your Schengen Visa FAQs

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Schengen Visa FAQs

Here’s my attempt at answering the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Schengen Visa. I am no expert BUT I have (attached to my Philippine passport) 4 Schengen Visa vignettes: 1 for tourism and 3 for visits. So here it goes!

What’s a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a type of travel document that allows non-European Union (EU) citizens to enter and travel within the Schengen Area.

2019 Schengen Visa with Old Vignette

The photo above is a Schengen Visa obtained in 2019 from Switzerland which used the old visa vignette. On the otherhand, the Schengen Visa below obtained in 2020 from Switzerland uses the new visa vignette.

For more information, you may refer to the following official source: Schengen Visa – Europa.eu

What countries can you visit on a Schengen Visa?

Once you obtain the visa, you can visit the Schengen Area which is a zone comprising 27 (as of 01 January 2023) European countries that have abolished passport control at their mutual borders, allowing for unrestricted movement across the region.

You can specifically visit the following countries with your Schengen Visa, unless noted on the visa sticker.

With a Schengen Visa, individuals can visit and stay in any of the Schengen countries for a specified period, typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa facilitates tourism, business, or personal visits to multiple countries within the Schengen Area using a single visa, making travel more convenient.

Aside from the countries within the Schengen Area, there are also non-EU countries that you can visit with your Schengen Visa. You can read mo

For more information, you may refer to the following official source: Schengen Visa – Europa.eu

Do I need a Schengen Visa?

Who needs to apply for a Schengen Visa?

The answer to this question lies on your current nationality(ies).

The website Europa.EU lists all the nationalities that need a Schengen Visa to cross its external borders.

AFGHANISTAN
ALGERIA
ANGOLA
ARMENIA
AZERBAIJAN
BAHRAIN
BANGLADESH
BELARUS
BELIZE
BENIN
BHUTAN
BOLIVIA
BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
BURMA/MYANMAR
BURUNDI
CAMBODIA
CAMEROON
CAPE VERDE
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CHAD
CHINA
COMOROS
CONGO
COTE D’IVOIRE
CUBA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
DJIBOUTI
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ECUADOR
EGYPT
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
FIJI
GABON
GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
GUYANA

HAITI
INDIA
INDONESIA
IRAN
IRAQ
JAMAICA
JORDAN
KAZAKHSTAN
KENYA
KUWAIT
KYRGYZSTAN
LAOS
LEBANON
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
LIBYA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALDIVES
MALI
MAURITANIA
MONGOLIA
MOROCCO
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
NAURU
NEPAL
NIGER
NIGERIA
NORTH KOREA
OMAN
PAKISTAN
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PHILIPPINES
QATAR
RUSSIA
RWANDA
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
SAUDI ARABIA
SENEGAL
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH SUDAN
SRI LANKA
SUDAN
SURINAME
SYRIA
TAJIKISTAN
TANZANIA
THAILAND
TOGO

TUNISIA
TURKEY
TURKMENISTAN
UGANDA
UZBEKISTAN
VANUATU1
VIETNAM
YEMEN
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE

not recognized as States by at least one member

KOSOVO
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

It also lists the countries exempted from holding a visa when crossing the border (pages 2-5 of the document).

Where to apply for a Schengen Visa?

When it comes to applying for a Schengen visa, it’s all about ensuring a smooth and straightforward process. The key is to lodge your application at the Consulate of the specific country you’re planning to visit.

Scenario 1: Travel to One Country

Raine would like to visit Switzerland for 10 days. She will not be visiting other countries. Then, she must submit her application to the Embassy of Switzerland at her place of residence.

For cases wherein a Schengen States does not have any representation in the place of residence, you must submit your application to the country representing that particular state.

And if your travels span across multiple Schengen States, fret not! Simply head to the Consulate of the country where you’ll be spending the most time – it’s that simple.

Scenario 2: Travel to Multiple Schengen States

Raine would like to visit France, Switzerland, and Germany with an itinerary below:

DayDateCity/Country
1January 1, 2024Paris, France
2January 2, 2024Paris, France
3January 3, 2024Versailles, France
4January 4, 2024Basel, Switzerland
5January 5, 2024Lucerne, Switzerland
6January 6, 2024Interlaken, Switzerland
7January 7, 2024Zurich, Switzerland
8January 8, 2024Munich, Germany
9January 9, 2024Frankfurt, Germany
10January 10, 2024Berlin, Germany

Based on this itinerary, Raine will be staying 3 days in France, 4 days in Switzerland, and 3 days in Germany. She must apply for a Schengen Visa to the embassy of Switzerland in her place of residence.

In the case of equally divided stays across various Schengen States, don’t worry; there’s a clear path to follow. Apply confidently at the Consulate of the country whose external borders you’ll be crossing first upon entering the Schengen area.

Scenario 3: Traveling to Multiple Countries with the Equal Lengths

Raine would like to visit France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany with an itinerary below:

DayDateCity/Country
1January 1, 2024Brussels, Belgium
2January 2, 2024Paris, France
3January 3, 2024Versailles, France
4January 4, 2024Strassbourg, France
5January 5, 2024Lucerne, Switzerland
6January 6, 2024Interlaken, Switzerland
7January 7, 2024Zurich, Switzerland
8January 8, 2024Munich, Germany
9January 9, 2024Frankfurt, Germany
10January 10, 2024Cologne, Germany

Based on this itinerary, Raine will spend 3 days each in France, Switzerland, and Germany and 1 day in Belgium. She must submit her application through the French embassy in her country of residence.

Habitual Residence

Typically, your visa application should go through the Consulate that covers the region where you legally live. In case there’s uncertainty, like the absence of a Schengen State’s Consulate in your residing country, take charge by reaching out to the central authorities, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Immigration Office. They can guide you on whether another Schengen State represents your intended destination in your country of residence. This way, you’ll swiftly get the right information and proceed confidently with your visa application.

When to apply for a Schengen Visa?

To ensure a smooth process, aim to submit your application at the Consulate about 15 days prior to your planned journey. Remember, it’s not possible to lodge the application more than six months ahead of your intended travel date. Additionally, booking an appointment beforehand might be necessary before submitting your application.

For example, if your plan is to travel on July 1, 2024 to experience the hot European summer, you can lodge your application starting January 3, 2024 (180 days before July 1st) and the last day you can submit your application is June 16, 2024 (15 days before your proposed travel date).

There are of course, exceptions to this rule. An example of which would be family members of EU and EEA nationals. These family members may be entitled to a free and accelerated visa processing procedure or visa facilitation if they meet (ALL 3) the following criteria:

  • family member of an European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen; and
  • the EU/EEA citizen is traveling to or is residing in a member state other than that of which he/she is a citizen; and
  • accompanying the EU/EEA citizen or planning to join him/her in the Schengen State of destination

Note that if you are qualified for the accelerated visa procedure, you must show proof that you meet ALL THREE criteria during your application.

What are the required documents for the application?

These are the general documentary requirements. Additional documents may be added depending on your specific travel purpose.

  • Passport
    • with at least two empty pages
    • should have been issued within the last 10 years
    • must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen territory, or, in the case of multiple journeys, the date on which you intend to leave after the last stay.
  • Visa Application Form
    • completed and signed
    • each person must complate a separate application form
    • for a child under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian
  • Photograph
  • Fingerprints
    • will be collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants).
  • Visa Fee
    • to be paid when you submit your application (some embassies collect the visa fee upon completion of the online application form
  • Service Fee
    • to be paid if you are requested to submit your application at the offices of a service provider
  • Travel Medical Insurance
    • covering emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in case of death)
    • with a minimum cover should be of 30.000 EUR
    • must be valid for the entire Schengen area and throughout the duration of the stay.
  • various documents relating to the purpose of your stay, evidence of means of support during your stay and your accommodation

Please do check the embassy or consulate website for the list of other relevant documents for your travel purpose. If you’re applying for a Schengen Visa to Switzerland, you can go over to my post.

Watch in YouTube

TL;DR? Watch the video.

I’ll write a separate post on how to read and understand your Schengen Visa once you have obtained it. See you on the next post! – Raine