Schengen — Europe — Visas
Schengen visas: frequently asked questions
Which are the most frequent questions about short term Schengen Visas?
1 Which countries are part of the Schengen Area?
All EU countries are part of Schengen except for Ireland, which has opted out, as well as Cyprus, which is due to join Schengen at some point in the future. In addition, four non-EU countries are also part of the Schengen area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
2 Do I need a visa to enter a Schengen State?
Certain non-EU citizens must hold a short stay visa when traveling to the Schengen area. The EU has a common list of countries whose citizens are required to issue a visa when crossing its external borders. There are national derogations from the visa requirements for certain travellers.
Some third-country 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 States. There are some categories of persons who are exempt from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa (see Article 3(5) of the Visa Code).
3 Where do I submit my visa application?
You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that you intend to visit, or — if you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the Consulate of the country of your primary destination (i.e. main purpose of stay or longest stay).
If you intend to visit several Schengen States and the stays will be of equal length, you must apply at the Consulate of the country whose external borders you will cross first when entering the Schengen area. As a general rule, you must apply for a visa at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country in which you legally reside.
4 Can I enter the Schengen area in country X, while the visa was issued by Schengen country Y?
As a general rule you may cross any Schengen border with visa issued by any Schengen country. However, the short-stay visa does not automatically entitle you to enter the Schengen area.
5 How long can I stay in the Schengen area on the basis of my visa?
The Schengen visa is a short stay visa and takes the form of a sticker affixed to the travel document. The definition of “short stay” is a stay of “90 days in any 180 days period”. This means that the total duration of stay is of maximum 90 days, in any period of 180 days.
How to count your Schengen 90 days?
The precise length of validity of your visa is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading “Duration of visit”.With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading “Number of entries” by “1”. A two-entry or a multiple-entry visa allows for two or several entries during the validity of the visa. This is indicated on the visa sticker by “02” or “MULT” under the heading “Number of entries”.
6 My passport expires in two months’ time. Can I apply for a visa?
In principle you cannot. It is a requirement that the expiration date of your passport is 3 months AFTER your return from the Schengen State. However, in justified cases of emergency, the Consulate may deviate from this rule.
7 My visa has been issued by, for example, the German Consulate. Could I use this visa to make a trip to other Schengen States?
Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area. Please note, however, that you always have to apply at the consulate of the country which is your primary destination. The territorial validity of your visa is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading “Valid For”.
8 Can I leave the Schengen area and return again with my Schengen visa?
Schengen visas may allow for a single-entry or multiple entries. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker by “01”. With a visa allowing for two or multiple entries you may enter twice or several times during the validity of the visa.
9 I have a valid long stay visa/residence permit for a country that is part of the Schengen area. Do I need another visa to travel to other Schengen states?
No. A long stay visa or a residence permit issued by a Schengen State allows you to travel or stay in other Schengen States, while respecting the maximum duration of a “short stay” (a stay of “90 days in any 180 day period”).
10 Can my visa be extended?
When applying for a visa extension, you must show that due to force majeure or for humanitarian reasons or for serious personal reasons it is not possible for you to leave the territory of Member States before the expiry of your visa or the authorized period of stay.
As a rule, the visa can only be extended if you have stayed less than 90 days the Schengen area, in the course of the past 180 days, and if your current visa is not expired.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this article (i) does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; (ii) are for general informational purposes only and may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information (iii) this website may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader; (iv) readers should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.
