Despite nationals of over 60 countries being able to enter the Schengen without a visa, all other nationals will require a Schengen visa to enter the region. However, before you start with the Schengen visa procedure, you will have to take care of certain formalities to ensure that your application is successful and that you do not get your visa rejected. The following sections will provide in detail the various steps involved in the Schengen visa process.
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Schengen Visa Application Form
The first step is to fill in the Schengen application form. You can do this by visiting the website of the respective embassy or VAC and downloading the offline application form and then filling it. For certain countries, you may be able to fill the application using an online portal.
The most common type is the offline application form. This form is of the same format regardless of the country you are applying to. In the form, you will have to mention the following details -
Your personal information such as name, D.O.B, address, etc.
Details of your travel document.
Your purpose of visiting the Schengen country,
Details of your trip such as the number of entries, duration of stay, etc.
While filling out the form, you must keep in mind the following instructions -
Ensure that you fill in the latest application form. If the form is updated, the outdated forms will be unacceptable.
Fill in all the details truthfully. You must not, under any circumstances, lie on the application form.
If your ‘purpose of visit’ is not among the ones listed on the form, you must select ‘Others’ and explain the reason in one simple sentence.
Fill in the details legibly. In cases where you are filling the form by hand, you must use a Black inked pen and ensure that you write in capital letters clearly.
You must not leave any boxes blank. In cases where you think the question does not relate to you, you must fill in with N/A (Not Applicable).
In certain cases, you may be required to submit 2 copies of the application. You must sign in both of these.
In case of a minor applicant, the parents will have to submit a written consent and sign in the corresponding column of the application form.
Pay the Schengen Visa Fees
Once you have booked the appointment, you must visit the respective centre for your appointment. Upon reaching the venue, you would first have to pay the Schengen visa fees. All the Schengen countries have a uniform Schengen visa amount of 60 Euros. However, this can fluctuate based on several factors such as the age status of the applicant as well as other factors. Also, while making the application fees for a particular country, you would be paying it in the currency of the home country. As a result, the fees may slightly vary depending on the foreign exchange rates. You must check these while applying for the visa.
Apart from the non-refundable visa fees, there will be additional biometric charges as well as possible service charges to be paid. If you are using additional services provided by the VAC or a travel agency, you may have additional Schengen visa cost.
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Book Appointments
Once you have filled in the application form, you must proceed to book an appointment for the Schengen visa application submission. The Schengen visa appointment will be either at an embassy/consulate or at one of the VACs that are authorized to accept visa applications.
In most cases, you may be able to book it by visiting the website of the VAC or embassy and using the online portal. However, in certain cases, you may have to contact the embassy directly to book the appointment.
The visa appointment is for you to submit the application, pay the visa fees, as well as provide biometrics. However, in certain cases, you may be required to attend a visa interview as well.
Biometric Submission
As per the Schengen regulations, it is mandatory for all Schengen applicants to provide biometrics for the application. Once you are at the appointment centre, your fingerprints and photo will be taken digitally as a part of the biometrics. These are then stored in the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS).
Note that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen visa in the past 5 years, you are not required to submit them again. The biometric information from your previous application will be used again. In this particular case, you may not have to visit the appointment centre in person. You may ask a third party to submit your application, provided that they possess a letter of authorization signed by the applicant. You can apply very easily to Schengen visa For more information about Schengen Visa you can check our website. i.e. How To apply for Schengen Visa, Documents, eligibility criteria, Schengen visa requirements
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