The Schengen visa policy is set by the European Union and applies to the Schengen Area and other EU member coutries except non-member countries like Irenland and the United Kingdom.

You might have heard about Shengen visa but might not have any clues about how may countries this visa can be applied to, visa validity and tips for applying Schengen visa. Let's join Visavietnam suport to find out!

What is Shengen visa?

This visa  allows you to stay in Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days, Befor your visa expires, the duration of stay stated in your visa must not be shorter.

Which countries can this visa be applied to?

26 Schengen countries (Europe), includes Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France, Greece, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Lettonia, Lituanie, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. However, another visa is required for residing in overseas territories. 

Schengen visa types

There are 2 types: short-stay and long-stay visas

Short-stay Schengen visa (short duration of stay)

This is the most comon Schengen visa, allowing single or multiple entries into 26 Shengen countries for purposes of traveling, business or visiting friends, family and relatives with 3-month duration of stay. The issued person can extend the visa validity up to 5 years or choose either of these:

• Single entry visa: allow single entry to Schengen member countries and 90-day duration of stay.

• Multiple entry visa: allows multiple entries to different Shengen countries within 6 months and 90-day duration of stay.

Schengen transit visa

For applicants who come from any country and do not depart from a  Schengen country but arrive at a Schengen aiprort for a flight to the 3rd country outside Shengen Area.

The duration of stay for this visa depends on the transit time.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa?

Usually, when you want to enter any Schengen country, you need to apply for that country's visa . In case you travel to more than one Schengen country, you should apply for the visa of  the country you'll first arrive or the one that you're going to stay in for the longest time.

Which country has the simpliest Schengen visa application

- There are only 4 Embassies in Vietnam (France, Italy, Netherlands and Spain) that allow visa application without a guarantor. The other countries either require a letter of guarantee or have no Embassies in Vietnam.

- If you're about to have an European trip, we advise you to apply for a Schengen visa at Embassy of France or Italy since they don't require many documents and have quick process.

Required document for Schengen visa application

Schengen visitor visa

1. 2 photograph of the specified size (3.5x4.5 cm)

2. Passport, in original (with a minimum validity of six months)

3.  ID card (Copy and original)

4.  Family registration book (notarized copy)

5.  Marriage registration (notarized copy)

6. Proof of profession :   + A copy of labour contract, payslips in the past 3 months, vacation request letter (if applicant is employed)

                                 + Certificate of business registration, tax papers in the past 3 months (if applicant is self-employed or a company owner)

7. Proof of Finance: House ownership certificate, saving book (notarized copy) or bank balance at the present.

Schengen visa for visting friends, family and relatives

1. 2 photograph of the specified size (3.5x4.5 cm)

2. Passport, in original (with a minimum validity of six months)

3.  ID card (Copy and original)

4.  Family registration book (notarized copy)

5.  Marriage registration (notarized copy)

6. Proof of profession :   + A copy of labour contract, payslips in the past 3 months, vacation request letter (if applicant is employed)

                                 + Certificate of business registration, tax papers in the past 3 months (if applicant is self-employed or a company owner)

7. Proof of Finance: House ownership certificate, saving book (notarized copy) or bank balance at the present.

8. Guarantor:                 + Inviatation letter

                                     + Scanned passport

                                     + Proof of relations between the invitor and the invited

                                     + Proof of finance if the invitor pays travel expenses: proof of profession, bank statements in the past 3 months, etc

Schengen business visa

1. 2 photograph of the specified size (3.5x4.5 cm)

2. Passport, in original (with a minimum validity of six months)

3.  ID card (Copy and original)

4.  Family registration book (notarized copy)

5.  Marriage registration (notarized copy)

6. Proof of purpose for the business trip: + Invitation letter from an overseas company

                                                                + Company's decision to send employee to work overseas

7. Proof of profession :   + A copy of labour contract, payslips in the past 3 months, vacation request letter (if applicant is employed)

                                      + Certificate of business registration, tax papers in the past 3 months (if applicant is self-employed or a company owner)

Some notes during application and before the interview

When applying for a Schengen visa, remember to dress up neatly and be punctual. Answer the interview question clearly. Make sure your hair is neat and tidy as you're going to take a visa photo.

It will be your advantage if you have traveled to any European countries, developed countries such as USA, Canada, Japan, etc and did not overstay in those countries. In the visa application form, remember to provide exact information about the countries you have visited and how long you stayed there.

During the interview, you should be relaxed and confident. It's better if you know the country's language. If not, please answer in Vietmese or English. How you handle the questions and the reliability of the information you provide are the most important.

 Schengen visa application service at Visavietnamsupport

 - We offer free and helpful consultance and instructions via phone or meetings in person at our office.

- We help customers complete the documents and hand them to the Embassy for visa process

The service cost might vary depending on the time you apply and visa types. To get updated, please contact Hotline : 0989.496.239 – Ms.Hương for consultance and support.

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