Why apply for a Schengen Visa? 

• Allows you to enter 29 countries
• No border control between member states
• Stay for 90 days in the Schengen area
• Valid to travel to any Schengen state

A Schengen Visa allows travelers to visit 29 countries, which is valid for up to 90 days within a short-term period of 180 days.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a short-term entry permit that allows non-EU nationals to travel freely within the 29 countries of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days. It eliminates border controls between member states, enabling seamless travel across multiple countries in Europe.

Types of Schengen Visas:

• Single-entry visa: Permits one entry into the Schengen Area.
• Multiple-entry visa: Allows multiple visits for as long as the visa is valid.
• Airport transit visa: Enables travelers to transit through the international zone of an airport in a Schengen country without entering the country itself.
   

List of Schengen Visa Countries 

There are 29 Schengen countries, each with its own immigration rules, policies, conditions, and timelines for visa application. 

Austria	Liechtenstein
Belgium	Lithuania
Bulgaria	Luxembourg
Croatia	Malta
The Czech Republic	The Netherlands
Denmark	Norway
Estonia	Poland
Finland	Portugal
France	Romania
Germany	Slovakia
Greece	Slovenia
Hungary	Spain
Iceland	Sweden
Italy	Switzerland
Latvia

 

Benefits of obtaining a Schengen visa

• You can travel to 29 countries
• 6-month validity on your passport
• You can enter multiple times based on your purpose
• Can travel freely within the Netherlands and other Schengen countries
   

Types of Schengen visa

There are 4 types of Schengen visas
 

Type A Schengen visa or Airport Transit Visa

The purpose of a Type A Schengen visa is only for airport transit. With this Schengen visa, you cannot leave the airport’s international zone.
 

Type B Schengen visa

The purpose of a Type B Schengen visa is for short stays in the Schengen Area. You can stay for a maximum of 90 days.
 

Type C Schengen visa

The purpose of a Type C Schengen visa is for extended stays in the Schengen Area. This Type C visa is available as Single Entry, Double Entry, or Multiple Entry based on your purpose. You can stay for more than 90 days.
 

Type D Schengen visa

The purpose of a Type D Schengen visa is for multiple entries into the Schengen Area. You can stay for some time.

Eligibility for a Schengen Visa

• You must be a citizen of a non-European country that is not in the European Union.
• The reason for traveling, as well as the time frame, must be justified.
• You must have a valid passport for at least 3 months after the date of your visa application.
• You must have a minimum of €30,000 in medical travel insurance to apply for a European visa.
   

Schengen Visa Requirements

• Schengen visa application form that is filled out
• Recent 2 identical Photographs
• A copy of your passport with an expiry date
• A letter explaining your trip
• Confirmed return ticket
• Proof of accommodation
• A mandatory travel insurance certificate

Documents required for a Schengen visa application

The Schengen tourist visa is a unique document that allows you access to several European countries with a single visa. To apply for it, you must submit the following:

• Valid passport
• Completed Schengen visit visa application form
• Travel itinerary including countries you plan to visit, accommodation & flight details
• Evidence of financial sufficiency
• Evidence of your employment or student status to prove you will not be staying on
• Proof of adequate health insurance
   

How do you apply for a Schengen Visa from India?

• Step 1: Ensure you’re eligible for a Schengen Visa for tourists. Because there are numerous Schengen visas, you must be certain of the required visa. Find out where you need to submit your application.
• Step 2: Determine the optimal time to apply for a tourist visa.
• Step 3: Gather the necessary documents for a tourist Schengen Visa.
• Step 4: Make an appointment at your destination country’s embassy. This appointment may need to be made online or in person at the embassy/consulate/visa center.
• Step 5: Pay the cost of the visa.
• Step 6: Wait for your visa application decision.

Schengen Visa processing time

The waiting time for a Schengen visa is at least 15 days, but it completely depends on you. Sometimes, in certain areas, the processing time is 30 days; in extreme cases, it can be more than 60 days.

 

Schengen Visa Fees

The Schengen Visa costs range from €45 to €90 and is free for children under 6 years.
 

Type	Cost
Adult	€90
Children aged 6 to 12	€45
Children under age 6	Free

 

Schengen Visa Application Processing Time

It takes 15 days to process a Schengen Visa application after it is submitted and reaches the consulate. It is suggested to apply one month before your travel date. 
 

New Schengen Visa Rules for Indians

• Cascade Visa Regime—To qualify for a two-year or multi-entry Schengen visa, applicants from India must have used two Schengen visas in the last three years before application. After obtaining the 2-year visa, individuals can apply for a 5-year multi-entry visa if their passports have sufficient validity. International individuals with these multi-entry visas have travel rights the same as those of individuals from visa-free countries.
• Digital Transformation—The EU is replacing traditional visa stickers with a fully digital process, including online application submission, document submission, and fee payment.
• Digital Delivery - The Schengen visa will be delivered digitally as a 2D barcode.
• EES System and Biometrics - The recent border entry and exit system (EES) will merge with the digital visa to facilitate immigration officers' scanning of the barcode to gain information about biometrics and travel history. The new system will be launched in October 2025.

 

Schengen Visa Validity & Stay Rules

• 90/180 Rule – Schengen Visa Holders can stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days. The period starts from the date you enter the area.
• Difference between Visa Validity and. Duration of Visit
  • Validity - The period for which your visa is valid for travel. The period starts from when the visa was issued and continues to its expiration date.
  • Duration of Visit - The total number of days you can stay in the Schengen area within the validity of the visa.
• Overstaying— If you exceed the 90-day limit of the 180-day period, you can face severe penalties, such as a ban from the Schengen area for 3 years or above.

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

The Y-Axis team has been the best solution to assist you with your Schengen visit visa.

• Evaluate the appropriate visa type for your application
• Guide documentation
• Assist in filling out online application forms
• Review all your documents
• Assist in the visa application process