There is probably no better activity than traveling. And to travel not only around the country, but around the world. Obtaining a Schengen visa is perhaps the best opportunity to visit not one, but as many as twenty-seven states!
Single visa regime
The concept of “Schengen visa” appeared back in 1980, when an agreement was signed between France, the Benelux countries and the FRG. It annulled all checks at common borders. Over time, several other states joined this treaty, thus forming a single space for different spheres of life. Today, the Schengen zone includes almost all the countries of the European Union. A Schengen visa, the production time of which is only a month, gives the right to freely move around their territory. However, you must first visit the state that issued the visa (it is considered the main one). And then - where your eyes look!
How much is a Schengen visa?
It is drawn up at the embassy of the country that has signed the agreement and is a member of the Schengen zone. There are three categories of such visas:
1. A - transit, which allows you to be only at the airport of the country for transfer to another flight.
2. C - short-term. Allows you to stay on the territory of the state for no more than three months every six months. This visa is mainly used by travelers, athletes and businessmen.
3. D - national visa. It is issued to those citizens who are going to spend more than three months in the Schengen countries .
The most common is a category C visa. How much a Schengen visa is made depends on the country to which the embassy has applied. Although the package of documents is the same for all states, however, there are some small nuances. On average, registration takes from a week to three.
Documents for registration
The list of documents that should be prepared for obtaining a visa is as follows:
- International passport. The original, as well as copies of pages with previous visas, if any. The passport must still be valid for 3 months - this is one of the prerequisites.
- Citizen passport and copies of all pages.
- Pictures 3x5 to 4x5 (2 pieces). They must be the same as for the passport office, always fresh. It’s better to do them right before submitting documents.
- A completed application form. The form can either be taken at the embassy or downloaded on its official website. The questionnaire is filled out in block letters competently and legibly, mainly in English. It would be nice to use the services of an experienced translator.
- A document from the place of work, where the qualifications, the average income of the applicant and the period of vacation are indicated. It is advisable to bring along a work book or contract. According to such a certificate, the financial situation is evaluated, and without it a refusal can be received.
- It is good to have bank statements about accounts and deposits with you, which are also proof of the solvency of the applicant.
- Return ticket and insurance policy - guarantee documents for return from the Schengen area. Insurance is best arranged at the embassy.
- Marriage, birth certificates.
- Any document that confirms that the applicant owns the property. This is another guarantee of a sound financial condition.
- Parental permission if the applicant is a minor.
How long a Schengen visa is made depends on the workload of the authorized bodies. The application can be considered up to 20 days, after which you will be sent a response.
The price of a Schengen visa ranges from 35 to 90 euros. It all depends on urgency. A visa, which is approved within five days, will cost 90 euros.
Visa Refusal
"How much does a Schengen visa do?" - A question that interests many travelers. Of course, they can be understood - after all, there are situations when every day counts. The processing time depends on many factors, in particular, on the availability and correctness of filling out all the necessary documents.
Sometimes it happens that the long-awaited response of the embassy brings nothing but disappointment. In other words, denial. There may be the following reasons:
- Fake documents.
- The information is not provided in full, in particular, the means of subsistence are not indicated (certificate of employment, bank statements, traveler's checks , etc.).
- Suspicious behavior of the applicant.
- Criminal record.
- Invalid application form.
- Visa violations.
- Expired foreign passport.
- Information is false.
Do not be upset if the embassy has sent a refusal. The negative answer is not yet a cross on the “career” of a traveler or businessman. Perhaps next time everything will go more smoothly, and the term for a Schengen visa will be minimal. When there are no problems with the documents, and just someone in the embassy was in a bad mood, you can try again to apply in a couple of days.
What types of failures are
The fact that the applicant is refused a visa is evidenced by the embassy stamp instead of the visa itself. It consists of a combination of numbers (1–4) and letters (type of visa).
1 - this is a visa denial (mainly for a year).
2 - an additional interview is required.
3 - you need to replenish the package of documents.
4 - lifetime failure.
For example, stamp 2 C means that the applicant needs to come to the embassy to clarify personal data; 3 B - for a transit visa it is necessary to bring documents.
After the refusal, you can appeal it or apply again.
Bon Voyage!
Visa application must be approached seriously and responsibly. After all, only one refusal can permanently close the entrance to Europe, leaving your dream unrealizable.
All documents must be in the original, questionnaires must be filled out correctly and correctly, and only reliable information should be provided at the interview.
How much a Schengen visa is made depends largely on the specific consulate. You should not be annoying and rude, even if the ticket “burns”. Better to return the tour than to fall out of favor with the embassy and become a famous boor!