Apply for a Schengen visa to travel in Europe

The Schengen visa is a permit to enter the Schengen Area. It allows foreign nationals to stay in a Schengen Area country for up to 90 days.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is an official document issued by the authorities of a Schengen Area member country that authorizes the holder to enter and stay in the Schengen Area for a limited period of time. There are different types of Schengen visas depending on the duration and purpose of the stay.

Schengen Visa and the ETIAS System: What’s the Difference? For nationals of countries already exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, the ETIAS system—which is expected to launch in 2027—will replace the current freedom of movement with a prior electronic authorization. This is not a visa. Learn about the differences between the Schengen visa and the ETIAS system.

Types of Schengen Visas

Airport transit visa (type A)

Allows access to the international transit area of a Schengen Area airport during a layover, without entering the country. Required for nationals of certain specific countries.

Short-stay visa (type C)

Allows entry into the Schengen Area for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, for tourism, business, family, or cultural purposes. May be a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

Long-stay visa (type D)

Required for any stay of more than 90 days in a Schengen Area country, for reasons such as work, study, family reunification, or permanent residence.

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?

Airport transit visa (type A)

An airport transit visa is required for nationals of certain countries who must make a stopover in the international transit area of an airport located within the Schengen Area. This visa is required, in particular, for travelers from the following countries:

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Democratic Republic of Congo
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Iran
Iraq
Nigeria
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka

Exceptions apply, in particular, to holders of visas or residence permits issued by EU/EEA countries, holders of diplomatic passports, and certain other special categories.

Short-stay visa (type C)

This visa is required for nationals of countries not exempt from the Schengen visa requirement who wish to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is intended for purposes such as:

Travel: for visiting countries in the Schengen Area;
Business: for meetings, conferences, or professional events;
Short-term studies: participation in seminars or short-term training programs;
Visiting family or friends: visiting loved ones living in the Schengen Area;
Cultural or sporting events: participation in competitions or festivals.

Travelers from countries such as India, China, and most African and Asian countries must obtain this visa before arriving in Europe.

Long-stay visa (type D)

A long-stay visa is required for foreign nationals wishing to stay in a Schengen area country for more than 90 days. It is required for reasons such as :

Work: employment in a Schengen Area country;
Education: continuing university studies or long-term training programs;
Family reunification: joining a family member residing in one of the Schengen countries;
Scientific research: participation in long-term research projects;
Permanent residence: the intention to settle permanently for personal or professional reasons.

The requirements and necessary documents vary depending on the destination country and the nature of the stay.

How do I apply for a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa application must be submitted to the embassy of the country to be visited within the Schengen Area. If the trip includes multiple countries, the application must be submitted to the embassy of the first country to be visited or the country where the traveler will spend the most time.

Application Deadline: You may apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before departure. It is recommended that you submit your application at least 15 days before your trip to allow for the standard processing time.

What documents are required?

A valid passport with an expiry date of at least 3 months;
A completed and signed visa application form;
A passport photo that meets current standards;
Health insurance covering emergency care, hospitalization, and repatriation;
Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the stay;
Proof of lodging and a return ticket;
Fingerprints, collected at the time of application.

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

The price of a Schengen visa depends on the age of the applicant:

90 € for adults;
45 € for children ages 6 to 12;
Free for children under 6 years old.

Additional fees may be charged by visa service centers depending on the applicant’s country of residence.

How long does it take to process a request?

The standard processing time for a Schengen visa application is 15 calendar days. This period may be extended up to 45 days if the application requires a thorough review or during periods of high volume.

Schengen Visa and the ETIAS System: Two Distinct Systems

The ETIAS system—which is expected to launch in 2027—does not apply to the same travelers as the Schengen visa. These two systems are intended for different types of travelers:

The Schengen visa is intended for nationals of countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with the European Union. They must apply for authorization before each trip;
The ETIAS system will apply to nationals of countries already exempt from Schengen visas—such as Americans, Canadians, British citizens, and Brazilians—who will be required to obtain prior electronic authorization online.

If your country is currently subject to the Schengen visa requirement, the ETIAS system will not apply to you. For more information, see our page comparing the Schengen visa and the ETIAS system or the list of countries eligible for the ETIAS system.

Official Source: For official information on Schengen visas, visit the European Commission’s website — Visa Policy.