Visa and Passport Guide

About the Schengen visa Application, Duration and Fees

About the Schengen visa Application, Duration and Fees

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area.

Schengen visas come in 3 forms:

single-entry visa – allowing you to enter the Schengen area once;
multiple-entry visa – allowing several visits to the Schengen area for as long as the visa is valid;
airport transit visa – allows you to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen area during a stopover or a change of flights. It does not allow you to leave the international transit area.

How long can you stay?

The short-stay visa calculator

can help you calculate the remaining period you are allowed to stay in a Schengen country.

 Instructions for Using the Calculator

 

Modes of Operation

  1. Control Mode:
    • Function: Calculates the length of previous and/or ongoing stays.
    • Outcome: Determines if the stay complies with the 90 days / 180-day rule.
      • If compliant: Displays “No overstay in the registration period.”
      • If not compliant: Shows the number of days spent in the 180-day period and indicates the overstay period.
    • Additional Info: Provides the last possible day of stay within the rule.
  2. Planning Mode:
    • Function: Calculates the maximum allowable stay for a future date.
    • Outcome: States the maximum authorized stay duration or possible overstay information, similar to Control Mode.

Entering Dates

  • Date Format: Use “dd/mm/yy” (e.g., “010124” for January 1, 2024).
  • Error Handling: Incorrect date format will trigger an error message.
  • Date of Entry/Control Box:
    • Control Mode: Date of control.
    • Planning Mode: Date of entry.

Entering Stays

  • Columns:
    • First column: Entry dates.
    • Second column: Exit dates.
    • Third column: Length of stay (auto-filled by calculator).
  • Tab Key: Use to navigate between boxes.
  • Chronology: Dates do not need to be in chronological order, but entry and exit dates must correspond.
  • Passport Mode:
    • Function: Allows random order entry, sorted automatically by the calculator.
    • Format: “+” for entry dates and “-” for exit dates (e.g., “+010124” for January 1, 2024).
    • Note: Primarily for border guards.

Special Cases

  • Missing Dates: Calculator will not work if any entry or exit date is missing.
  • Current Stays: Add the current date as the last exit date if still in the Schengen area.
  • Exclusions: Do not include stays authorized by residence permits or long-stay visas (D-type visa).

Deleting Entries

  • Reset Button: Clears all entries.
  • Delete Key: Removes specific entries.

The user’s guide

provides step by step instructions and practical examples to help you use the calculator.
Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?

Calculator

Citizens of certain non-EU countries must hold a short-stay visa when travelling to the Schengen area.

Consult the EU list of countries whose citizens are required to hold a visa
when crossing its external borders. There are exceptions to the visa requirements

for certain types of traveller to certain countries (e.g. diplomats, armed forces, refugees, pupils on school excursions).

Airport transit visas

Some non-EU nationals must also hold an airport transit visa when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in any of the Schengen States

.
For citizens of certain additional countries, an airport transit visa is required when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in some of the Schengen countries

.
There are some categories of people who are exempt from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa (see Article 3(5) of the Visa Code).

Where to apply

You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit.

Visiting more than 1 Schengen countries: apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time.
Visiting several Schengen countries (for stays of equal length): apply at the consulate of the first country you will visit.

As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you are legally resident.

When to apply

You must submit your application to the consulate at least 15 days before your intended journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand.

You may have to book an appointment before lodging the application.

What documents are needed to apply?

A valid passport. The passport’s expiry date should be at least 3 months after the date of your departure from the Schengen area. For multiple-entry visas, the expiry date should be at least 3 months after your departure from the last country visited.

A visa application form

.
A photo in compliance with ICAO standards

.
Medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in the event of death).

Supporting documents relating to the purpose of your stay, evidence of financial means and accommodation during your stay, and evidence of your intention to return to your home country after your stay.

Your fingerprints will be collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants).

Additional documents may also be requested by the consulates.

How much does a visa cost?

€90 for adults
€45 for children aged 6-12
€35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus
€67,50 for applicants from Cabo Verde.

An additional fee may apply if you go through visa service centres, which collect applications on behalf of consulates in some cases.

The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.
How long does the application take to process?

The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days.

This period may be extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination of the application and/or additional documents are required.

Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens falling under the Free Movement Directive are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.
Refusal of a visa application

If your application is rejected, you will be told:

source; https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa_en

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