Tourist Schengen Visa – A Complete Guide

A Schengen Tourist Visa refers to a document using which the holder has the authority to freely travel within the Schengen Zone and stay for a maximum period of 90 days in a period of 6 months. The Schengen Zone or Area refers to a group of 26 countries in Europe that have done away with the need for passports and immigration controls at their common borders. Of these, 22 are member states of the European Union while the rests are EFTA member states and the complete list includes:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. the Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Hungary
11. Iceland
12. Italy
13. Latvia
14. Liechtenstein
15. Lithuania
16. Luxembourg
17. Malta
18. the Netherlands
19. Norway
20. Poland
21. Portugal
22. Slovakia
23. Slovenia
24. Spain
25. Sweden
26. Switzerland

The following steps are the basic application procedure for a standard Tourist Schengen Visa and must be followed closely. That said, it is still advisable that you call your local embassy and ask if additional documents are required.

These are the steps to apply for Schengen Tourist Visa

Step 1: Determine if you need a Schengen Tourist Visa

Not every country in Europe is a part of the Schengen Zone while some of them permit entry to the Schengen Visa holders. There are countries which are exempted from Schengen Visa applications. It is important to determine whether the visa will be required in the first place.

Do I need a Visa for short stays in a Schengen Zone

Step 2: Make sure you give enough time to process your application!

Give the embassy at least three months to process your application and it is best if you apply at least three months before your departure.

Step 3: Fill the visa application form!

This is one of the most important parts of this procedure and it is crucial that you fill out the correct and updated form.

Step 4: Passport and Photo

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months AFTER the Schengen Visa’s validity. For example, if your Schengen Visa is valid until the end of your trip which is May 12, 2018, then your passport’s validity should be at least until August 12, 2018. To be on the safe side, acquire a new passport to avoid hindrance to your application.
• Your passport should have at least 2 blank pages.
• A recently taken passport photo is required and you can find the correct photo requirements here. Visa Photo Requirements

Step 5: Get travel insurance

An insurance certificate should be included in your documents when submitting your application. Insurance coverage should be at least 30,000 EUR

Also, in case you’re denied of the visa, make sure to ask your embassy to write you a letter regarding the matter which you can send to your travel insurance provider so you can get your money back!

Step 6: Flight itinerary and accommodation situation

You’ll need a round trip ticket to prove your itinerary and you must add the following details

• The country where you will enter and exit
• Exact dates of arrival and departure
• Exact flight number details

To book your flight, follow the form below

You’ll also need proof of accommodation during your stay.

• If you’re staying at someone else’s place, like your friend or a family member, make sure that you write their address and that they write you a letter stating they’re inviting you over to their homes and will cover all expenses during your stay.
• If you’re staying at hotels or hostels, make sure to print out your booking details and include that in your application.

To search a Place to stay or Hotel, Follow the below form

Step 7: Requirements you need to have prior to the application

Once again, here are the several things one must keep in mind prior to handing in the visa application.

• The application needs to be planned out a minimum of three months prior to the flight. Every embassy has a different processing time and needs to be given enough time to work on the application
• The application form should be downloaded and filled out, preferably without leaving any question unanswered. Along with it, two passport size photographs (recent) should be attached
• A passport that is valid for at least three months till the end date of the visa and a photocopy of the passport

Here’s a list of all the documents you need to have before submitting your application:

• A roundtrip ticket needs to be submitted with the application. Since approval is not guaranteed, non-refundable tickets should be avoided
• Description of the trip, purpose of visit, and complete itinerary
• Copies of accommodation details (hotel or hostel reservations) and a formal letter of invite in case the applicant plans on staying with their relatives or friends
• Applicant’s proof of employment including reference letter from employer and approved leave of absence
• Proof of income including current bank statements and income tax returns of last three years prior to date of travel
• Copy of authenticated identity proof
• Travel insurance certificate
• Proof of appointment scheduled with the embassy

Once all the documents have been arranged and organized, applicants should make a copy of everything before submitting the originals to the required embassy.

Step 8: Determine which embassy to send your application to

There are three ways to determine which embassy you should send your application to:

• If you’re only visiting ONE country and that country only, then you should send your application to that country’s embassy.
• If you’re visiting multiple countries but is staying the most days of your travels in ONE of the countries you’re visiting, then you must apply to that country’s embassy.
  • for example, I’m going to visit France for one week, Italy for one week, Spain for two weeks, and Greece for one week. In this case, I should send my application for a Schengen visa to the Spanish embassy.
• If you’re visiting multiple countries but is staying an equal amount of time on each place, then the first country or point of entry should determine which embassy you will send your application to.
  • So, for example, my itinerary goes like this: France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. In this case, I should send my application for a Schengen visa to the French Embassy.

Step 9: Book an appointment to the right embassy

If you think you have all that you need, make sure to book an appointment to the embassy you’ll send your application to and be at your appointment on time!

Step 10: Submitting the application

Before submitting the application, it is important that copies be made of all the documents. The embassy accepts only copies while verifying the originals, so it is mandatory to carry both sets of documents and avoid unwanted repeat visits. The applicant may get called in for an interview to verify certain details and there is no need to fret over such an incident.

Also, it is important to note that most embassies require that you pay with the right amount of cash! So make sure to bring the right amount with you to avoid the hassle.

Step 11: Waiting

In the end, one simply needs to wait to know the outcome of their submitted Schengen Visa application.

Usually, it is rare that a person is called for an interview when the applicant has applied for a Tourist visa, as the visa officer assesses the application based on the cover letter & the documents that are submitted. But, if you are called for an interview that is a good sign as you are given an opportunity to clear any doubts that the visa officer may have.

The questions that are asked are simple & if you are a genuine traveller with no intention of staying back as an illegal immigrant you would be able to answer them truthfully and without hesitation.

Some Questions they may asked in an interview as listed in the Schengen Tourist Visa are as

1. What is the Purpose of Your Visit?
2. What Property Do You Have In Your Home Country?
3. What Will You Do If Your Visa Will Be Rejected?
4. When In Schengen Area, Are You Going To Seek Employment?
5. Where Are You Going To Stay?
6. Which Countries in the Schengen Area are You Planning to Visit?
7. Who Lives With You Now And What Do They Do?
8. Who Will Take Care Of Your Business/House/Property When You Are Visiting The Schengen Area?
9. Are You Married? If Yes, What Does Your Spouse Do? For How Long Have You Been Married?
10. Do You Have A Covered Health Insurance For This Journey?
11. Do You Have a Job-Leave Approval Letter From Your Employer?
12. Do you Have any Family Member or Friends Living in the Schengen Area?
13. Do You Have Any Relation With Any Involved Person In Latest Terrorist Activities?
14. Do You Pay Income Tax?
15. Have You Booked Or Bought The Flight Ticket?
16. Have You Ever Travelled To Other Places?
17. How Do We Know You Will Return Home Within The Visa Allowed Period?
18. How Long Have You Been Working In This Company?
19. How Many Employees Do You Have?
20. How Many Siblings Do You Have? Where Do They Live? What Do They Do?
21. How Many Children Do They Have?
22. How Much Is Your Salary Or How Much Do You Earn?
23. How Much This Journey Will Cost You?
24. Is this your First Time in Schengen Area?
25. What are your plans after your return?
26. What do you know about the country you are visiting?
27. What Does Your Son/Daughter/Son-In-Law/Daughter-In-Law/Sponsor/Brother/Sister/Relative/Friend/Sponsor, Do In The Schengen Area?
28. What Is Your Educational Qualification?
29. I Don’t Think You Will Come Back, What’s Your Comment?

Some Tips for Schengen Tourist Visa Interview

• arrive on time for the visa interview
• be appropriately dressed for the interview
• be polite & confident
• maintain eye contact with the visa officer
• answer truthfully without skipping questions
• do not argue
• carry supporting documents.

When you’re applying for a Schengen tourist visa, the requirements are the same whichever consulate you use, however, the application process differs slightly from consulate to consulate. But, there are some that have a fantastic track record for issuing visas. With that in mind, let’s look at the Top 10 Easiest Schengen countries to obtain a Schengen visa from.

So, there you have the top 10 easiest countries to get a Schengen tourist visa from:

1. Iceland
2. Finland
3. Lithuania
4. Estonia
5. Latvia
6. Slovakia
7. Luxembourg
8. Greece
9. Poland
10. Czech Republic

Good luck.

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