If you wish to travel to any Schengen country, you should also be aware of the Schengen visa and its policies. You must know what the requirements and rules are and what is the Schengen visa validity. Knowing the visa's validity is essential so you can plan your trip accordingly. You can't overstay and must leave the country once your visa expires.
If you wish to enter the Schengen area, you must also have a Schengen visa! As you keep reading, you will learn the details about a Schengen visa, the maximum validity for different types of Schengen visas, and how you can apply for a Schengen visa!
What is a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen visa allows a short stay to any individual who wants to travel to any country that is part of the Schengen area.
The Schengen visa is a standard visa and a valid travel document that is used in Europe. With this visa, you can conveniently travel anywhere within the Schengen zone and explore the Schengen countries.
If you want to visit any Schengen country for any other reason, such as to study or work, you must apply for a national visa.
What are the Types of Schengen Visas?
There are different types of uniform Schengen visas. For example, there are business visas and tourist visas. There is also the type A Schengen visa, also known as the airport transit visa.
How Long is Schengen Visa Valid For?
The visa validity can vary depending on the type of Schengen visa you apply to. Short stay Schengen visa usually is valid for 90 days, and the extended stay visa is valid anywhere between 6 months and five years.
Schengen Airport Transit Visa
This type A visa allows those from any non-Schengen country to transit through an airport in a Schengen country. If you have acquired this visa, you cannot enter the Schengen country but only transit through it.
Short Stay Schengen Visa
Short-stay Schengen visas are also known as Type C visas. This visa permits travelers to travel in any Schengen area country for a maximum period of 90 days. These are the most common type of Schengen visas.
With this visa, you can travel to any Schengen country for various reasons. You can travel in the Schengen zone for tourism purposes, business-related activities, or visits to family members or friends.
Furthermore, with the short-stay visa, you can travel to the Schengen area countries for internship purposes or attend any educational activity within 90 days too!
You can get this as a single entry, double entry, or multiple entry Schengen visa. With the single entry visa, you can travel only once for 90 days. With a double entry visa, you can travel twice; with a multiple entry visa, you can travel more than two times. But the validity period for these two visas will be 180 days. And per stay, you can stay for a maximum of 90 days regardless of which type you have acquired.
Long Stay Schengen Visa
The extended stay Schengen visa is also known as the type D Schengen visa. This visa is valid for those who want to study, work or live in any Schengen country. The number of days this visa is valid for is more than 90. This is also referred to as the national visa.
Extension of a Schengen Visa
It would be best to leave the Schengen area once the validity period expires. If you don't, you may be subject to fines or repercussions.
If you wish to extend your stay, you will also be required to apply for a visa extension, and it would be best if you did this before your current visa is expired. You must also provide the reason as to why you want to extend your stay, and your visa will only be extended if your reason to stay is valid and strong enough.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa?
You can go to the Embassy, or the Consulate, or visa application center to apply for a Schengen visa. However, if you want to save time, you can also apply for the Schengen visa online! As to go these places, you must have a scheduled appointment too.
VisaHQ is a site that provides visa services. Through this site, you can conveniently apply for a Schengen visa and travel anywhere in Europe where the Schengen visa is valid.
When you visit the website, you will be prompted to enter the destination you want to visit and your citizenship. Once you have selected the options, the site will show you details about the different visa types for that place and the requirements. When you have chosen the type of visa you want to apply for, you can fill out the visa application form, scan the documents, and upload them! The payment procedure can also be completed online after which you have to patiently wait for your visa to be processed.
If you have any trouble with any step, VisaHQ will provide you with assistance and guidance!