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First, Confirm Your Destination Country is a Schengen State
Determine the Country for Your Visa Application
Understanding the Validity and Duration of the Schengen Visa
Confirm Regional Division Requirements for Each Schengen Country
Visa Approval Does Not Depend on “Exceptional Financial Proof”
Key to Schengen Visa Approval
Important Notes for Applying for a Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is undoubtedly a dream come true for many, as it allows you to travel to a large part of Europe with just one visa. Not only does it make traveling convenient, but it also requires only one set of documents, saving a lot of time. Whether it’s a family vacation during winter or summer holidays, a honeymoon, a graduation trip, or a retirement journey, the Schengen visa is a popular choice.
However, the Schengen visa application process can be challenging. To successfully obtain the visa, you must thoroughly understand the visa information, application requirements, key documents, and usage conditions to avoid rejection or having a visa that doesn’t fit your travel plans.
This article will focus on the nine key points to help you determine “how to apply for a Schengen visa”:
1. First, Confirm Your Destination Country is a Schengen State
Not all European countries are Schengen states, so you must confirm whether your destination in Europe accepts Schengen visas.
The 29 Schengen countries include: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Liechtenstein, Croatia, parts of Romania, and parts of Bulgaria.
2. Determine the Country for Your Visa Application
While a Schengen visa allows travel across 29 Schengen countries, the country where you apply for your visa directly affects your allowed stay in each Schengen country. To decide which country to apply to, follow these steps:
(1) List all the Schengen countries you plan to visit and calculate the total stay in each. Choose the country where you will spend the longest time as the application country.
(2) If you plan to stay for an equal amount of time in several countries, choose the country of first entry as the application country.
Example:
(1) If you enter France, stay 3 days, then go to Italy for 6 days before flying back home, apply for an Italian Schengen visa.
(2) If you enter France, stay 3 days, then go to Italy for 3 days, and Germany for 3 days, apply for a French Schengen visa.
3. Understanding the Validity and Duration of the Schengen Visa
Many people inquire about obtaining a long-term Schengen visa, but the visa’s validity depends on the duration approved by the consulate. There are no fixed long-term visas like 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year options.
Generally, the validity of a Schengen visa is based on the travel dates in the applicant’s itinerary, with a few extra days added.
For example:
• If your itinerary shows a 15-day trip, the visa may be valid for 20 days.
• If your itinerary shows a 25-day trip, the visa may be valid for 30 days.
If you are applying for a Schengen visa for the first time and are unsure which country to apply to, you can refer to our blog: 『Which Country to Choose for Your First Schengen Visa Application: Easiest Schengen Countries to Get a Visa』.
If you have a good travel record and have obtained multiple Schengen visas for the same country over the years, the likelihood of obtaining a multiple-entry visa increases with each application, with a maximum validity of up to 5 years. However, long-term visas have been rarely issued recently, and consulates strictly assess travel records.
Only France offers a specific channel for applying for a 1-5 year long-term multiple-entry visa, but approval is not guaranteed, and there are no explicit application criteria.
The basic materials and costs for single-entry and multiple-entry visas are the same. However, for multiple entries, you need to provide additional documents proving the necessity of multiple entries. The final decision lies with the consulate
We can, however, guarantee a Schengen visa with at least a 6-month validity if needed.
4. Confirm Regional Division Requirements for Each Schengen Country
(1) France, Switzerland, Greece: No regional divisions; applicants can choose the visa center nearest to their place of residence.
(2) Germany: Has regional restrictions. Applicants residing in London and Manchester can choose between these two centers, while those in Edinburgh must apply at the Edinburgh center.
(3) Other Schengen countries: Most have strict regional divisions, requiring applicants to apply through the designated visa center based on residency.
For more on UK Schengen visa regional restrictions, refer to the 『UK Schengen Visa Appointment Guide: Comprehensive Overview of Regional Restrictions』.
This mainly includes three aspects:
(1) Personal Identification
(passport/BRP/proof of employment/enrollment/retirement)
(2) Financial Proofs
(bank statements/credit card statements/fixed deposits/pension details/property/car ownership documents)
(3) Travel Plans
(round-trip flight bookings/hotel reservations/itinerary/insurance)
6. Visa Approval Does Not Depend on “Exceptional Financial Proof”
Visa officers focus on whether your income and spending ability match the costs of the trip. This can be proven by providing salary statements and credit card records.
Your bank balance should be sufficient to cover the trip’s expenses, and your income should align with your savings, or provide relevant proof. If your bank balance and savings are low, mention if major expenses (flights/hotels/transportation) have been prepaid and provide receipts.
For more information about bank statements, please refer to 『UK Schengen Visa Appointment Bank Statements: How to Avoid a Visa Rejection?』
Schengen countries require applicants to provide fingerprint data. Therefore, each applicant must visit the visa center in person to submit their documents.
Applicants exempt from fingerprinting must meet one of the following conditions:
(1) Children under 12 years old
(2) Those who have visited Schengen countries and provided fingerprints in the past 59 months
8. Key to Schengen Visa Approval
The key to success is convincing the consulate that you will not overstay illegally and that you will return to your home country. Prepare documents to show stability in your home country, such as assets, relationships, and employment.
9. Important Notes for Applying for a Schengen Visa
(1) Processing Time:
The Schengen visa process takes 15 working days, starting after all documents have been submitted to the consulate. Allow extra time for document preparation and optimization.
(2) Single, First-Time Applicants:
Single applicants, especially women, need to prepare more thoroughly, but this does not necessarily result in rejection. The same applies to first-time travelers and those without property or vehicles.
(3) No High-Risk Areas or Sensitive Occupations:
The Schengen visa does not have high-risk regions or sensitive occupations. The assessment is based on an overall evaluation of the applicant’s profile.
(4) Keep Phone Accessible:
After submitting the application, the consulate might call if they have questions. Missing this call could result in rejection.
(5) Be Ready for Additional Documents:
The consulate may request additional documents during the review phase. Be prepared to comply promptly.
Following these nine key points will significantly increase your chances of obtaining a Schengen visa. Winter is here, and if you plan to travel to Europe for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or the New Year holiday, now is the time to schedule your application.
Skytravel Global was established in 2020 and is based at 1 Jordan Street, Manchester, United Kingdom. We provide Schengen visa consultancy and assistance in the UK. Since our establishment, we have served over 10,000 clients.
