Schengen visa is generally known as a visa for a short stay in the European Union member countries. However, it has certain types too. The Schengen visa has 3 significant types. The Schengen visa types are classified according to the purpose and need of the visit to the Schengen territory.
You will be enlightened through this article if you are unaware of the different types of Schengen visas. Knowing the different types will help you understand the Schengen visa better and know which visa you want to apply for, based on the reason for your visit.
What are the Different Types of Schengen Visa?
There are 3 major types of Schengen visas, and they have been divided into 4 types; Type A, Type C, and Type D.
Airport Transit Visa
The airport transit visa is a Type A Schengen visa, which allows travelers to pass through international zone of the airport of the Schengen country.
If you are going to travel a non-Schengen country from another but have to pass through the Schengen country airport to do so, you must acquire an airport transit visa.
With the transit visa, you cannot leave the premises of the Schengen country airport.
Short Stay Schengen Visa
The short stay Schengen visa is a visa for a short stay in the Schengen territory. You can get this visa to travel around or stay in any of the Schengen countries for a short while. Usually, the duration for the stay allowed is 90 days, and the visa validity is 180 days. The short stay visa is a Type C visa.
You can obtain this as a single entry, double entry, or multiple entry visa.
Long Stay Visa
The extended stay visa is also referred to as the national visa or the Type D visa. As the name suggests, with this visa, you can stay in the Schengen area for longer. If you want to pursue your studies, work or live in any Schengen country, you must get a long stay visa.
Furthermore, with this visa, you can stay in the Schengen country you did not initially choose for more than 90 days.
Single, Double, and Multiple Entry Visa
You can get your visa for either single, double, or multiple entries. A visa sticker will be identified on your visa, based on the type. With a single entry visa, you can visit the Schengen zone just once. While with a double entry visa, you can visit twice, and you can re-enter one time only. A multiple entry visa allows the applicants to visit multiple times until the visa's expiration date is reached. With the multiple entry visa, you can re-enter the Schengen area.
What are the Schengen Visa Requirements?
Despite the type of uniform Schengen visas you choose, you will be required to fulfill all the different visa requirements.
Some standard requirements include correctly filling out the uniform Schengen visa application form. The form will ask for your details hence fill it out truthfully. Once you have filled out this form, there are other documents you have to submit. These include your valid passport, and the passport validity should be for at least six months after the departure from the Schengen country. The passport should have blank visa pages as well.
Another required document is a passport picture with a white background, which is needed for identification purposes.
Your travel itinerary is required, which states the plan for your trip and what you will do. You should have enough funds to visit the Schengen countries; therefore, proof of sufficient funds is required. You can submit this proof as a bank statement, etc.
Travel insurance is a necessity when traveling in the Schengen area. Furthermore, you may need to submit proof of accommodation and flight booking proof.
Contingent on the type of visa you have applied to, you may need to submit an invitation letter if you have been invited by a family, friend, or company for any organizational meetup. The invitation letters should contain the details of the applicant and the host.
How Can you Apply for the Schengen Visa?
You can apply for the Schengen visa by visiting the Embassy, Consulate, or visa application center. However, to visit these places, you must schedule an appointment beforehand which can cost you time!
You can also apply for a Schengen visa online. VisaHQ is an online platform that provides visa services. Through their service, you can apply for any visa you are eligible for from the comfort of your home.
When you visit the site, you can select the Schengen country you want to travel to, and your citizenship and all the information you need will be displayed on the site. You can either apply online by filling in the visa application form right on their website and scanning and uploading the documents online or get your documents pre-checked on the site.