The Schengen tourist visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to travel to and within the Schengen area of Europe for tourism, business, or to visit friends and family. The Schengen area includes 26 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
These requirements include:
- Application form: The applicant must complete and submit the appropriate Schengen visa application form online or on paper. They must ensure that all sections are completed accurately and honestly.
- Passport: The applicant must have a valid passport that will remain valid for the entire duration of their stay in the Schengen area. The passport must also have at least two blank pages for the visa and be issued within the last ten years.
- Visa application fee: The applicant must pay the visa application fee, which varies depending on the type of visa and the applicant’s country of origin.
- Travel itinerary: The applicant must provide a detailed travel itinerary that includes their travel dates, accommodation details, and a plan for their activities while in the Schengen area.
- Travel medical insurance: The applicant must provide proof of travel medical insurance that covers the entire duration of their stay in the Schengen area. The insurance must cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Evidence of sufficient funds: The applicant must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in the Schengen area, such as bank statements or a letter from their employer.
- Evidence of ties to home country: The applicant must provide evidence of ties to their home country, such as a job, property ownership, or family obligations, to show that they have reasons to return to their home country after they visit the Schengen area.
- Biometric information: The applicant must provide biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) at a designated visa application center.