Tips to get Schengen Visa

Europe is a wonderful continent for self-discovery and to travel around scenic destinations. There are many historical sites to see and wonderful experiences to make lifelong memories, but it was kind of a mission to travel around various countries before 1985. Many tourists were required to obtain travel visas for every country that was on their travel itinerary, which would have added up to a lot of paperwork and a lot of expense before you even set off on the journey. However, the introduction of the Schengen Agreement subsequently eliminates all of these hassles. In effect, the Schengen Agreement paved the way for the Schengen visa to come into being. Getting the Schengen visa for Indians gives you the liberty to travel to all the 26 European without any immigration or border restrictions. Yes, One Visa, One Europe!

Visitors to the Schengen countries now only need one visa for all of the 26 Schengen countries. The Schengen visa can give non-members of the European Union the ability to travel unimpeded throughout the Schengen zone. With great deals easily available on a dream European getaway; there is no reason not to plan a vacation right away. First, it is time to get your Schengen visa!

Here are very important tips to remember when applying for a Schengen Visa.

·                     There are 26-member states that require the Schengen Visa — Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

·                     There are two types of Schengen visas; short stay and long stay visa. These visas can be issued for a single entry or multiple entry access, depending on the kind of visa for which you are applying.

·                     The short stay visa is applicable for the purpose of tourism, visit or business travel. It is issued for a stay period of 90 days with a validity of 6 months. The long stay visa is issued for long term stay purposes such as employment, study, marriage etc.

·                                 You need to apply for a Schengen visa at the Embassy/consulate of the country you will be staying in for the longest period; if you plan to visit more than one country. For eg: Suppose you plan to visit France, Germany and Italy for a holiday. You will be staying for 3 days in France, 2 days in Germany and 5 days in Italy. In such a case, you must apply for the Schengen visa at the Italian Consulate as you intend to stay in Italy for a longer period then other country.

·         You must return to your home country within the permitted period of stay. You cannot   extend the period of your stay while in the Schengen country.

·         Theprocessing time for a Schengen visa is approximately 10 – 15 working days. The processing time is dependent on several factors and can change without prior notice at the consulate’s discretion. Sometimes it can take up to 30 days if more time is needed, and up to 60 days in exceptional cases, for example, if additional documents are required.

·         While there might be a few additions to the usual list of documents for some Schengen countries, depending on the country you are visiting. Generally, the documents you need to share are; your passport, photographs, cover letter, Employment letter, bank statements, Income tax returns, flight tickets, hotel reservations or Invitation letter from a family/friend and Travel insurance.

·         For more information please visit:   https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/

Why Should You Get a Dummy Ticket for Schengen Visa?

 

Some people ask us why they should use our services for their visa applications. To make it easy, we’ve made a list of good reasons to choose us and our dummy ticket for Schengen visa applications!

·                     You don’t have to waste endless time finding a cancelled ticket or lock yourself to set travel dates

·                     You don’t have to worry about price at all – our one-time, low-cost fee gives you everything you need in one click

·                     It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 – just order, and you’ll have your reservation within few hours

·                     We use only trusted providers like PayPal (with Buyer Protect – you risk nothing!)

·                     Our customer service is available 24/7 and you get a reply in minutes

·                     We are easily accessible through Whats App and can make or modify your order in no time

·                     We have been in your shoes! We have firsthand experience in applying for visas worldwide, and that’s why we do what we do – to help travelers like you get an easily accessible dummy ticket for Schengen visa, fast, safe and easy!

Recently we also added a valuable service travel insurance. Our travel insurance meets all the requirements for Schengen visas and other visas. Schengenvisa flight reservation sell travel insurances to his beloved customer, but Our travel insurance has low cost, extensive coverage that meets your travel needs.

So, there you have it! Check out our packages at Schengen visa flight reservation today, and let us know what you think!

The dummy ticket for Schengen visa:

Simply explained, it is a flight reservation, and not a flight ticket. We write about hundreds of different visas at the Schengen visa flight reservation blog, and have not come across a single country whose visa requirements do not include submitting a confirmed flight reservation. This used to be easier because the use of travel agents and visa agents was a lot more common a few decades ago. Back then, travel agencies were used to book and holding different tickets for travelers. Nowadays, on the other hand, flights are primarily booked by the traveler themselves directly online, and these tickets are always paid instantly. It wasn’t long ago that there were actually no alternatives like a dummy ticket for Schengen visa.

Who Must Avail Visa Travel Insurance for Schengen Area?

The applicants of those nations who are subjected to visa requirements. It does not matter whether an individual or a group is traveling to Europe for visit or business purposes, travel health insurance is a must document.

The Schengen VISA Insurance policy can be purchased either online for a very low cost or via conventional means.

Schengen Area

Schengen Area is a border less, passport-free zone comprising 26 countries of Europe. Till date, the Schengen Area remains the world’s largest visa-free zone in the world.

Schengen Visa

SchengenVisa is a short-stay visa that enables its holder to travel 26 European countries which are part of Schengen Area. Authorities concerned will not subject holder of a Schengen Visa to border checks at internal borders of the Schengen countries.

Coverage Provided by Schengen Medical Insurance

Usually, the Schengen Travel Medical cover following arrays of expenses:

Medical emergency (accident or sickness)

Emergency evacuation

Repatriation of remains

Return of a minor

Trip cancellation

Trip interruption

Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit

Overseas funeral expenses

Lost, stolen or damaged baggage, personal effects or travel documents

Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)

Flight connection missed due to airline schedule crash

Travel delays due to weather

Hijacking

The insurance covers pregnancy expenses if it happens in the first trimester. After this, the coverage differs from company to company.

Schengen Visa Travel Insurance

Schengenstates have made it mandatory for all the applicants to avail visa travelinsurance as it helps in coping with mammoth expenses in case of any unforeseen medical complication. Besides, visa travel insurance provides financial security to backpackers so that they can fully enjoy their journey without any anxiety.

Travel Medical Insurance Criteria

•           The availed medical insurance must cover minimum expenses equivalent to 30000 EUR or 50000     USD.

•           Travel medical insurance should bevalid in all member states of the Schengen Area.

•           It should cover all expenses pertaining to repatriation for medical reasons, medical emergency, treatment in hospital and death.

It is pertinent here to mention that not all travelers are obliged to avail the insurance. Rather, it is compulsory only for visa nationalities.

The aforesaid group is bound to avail medical insurance regardless if they are traveling to the Schengen Area on the visit, tourism, business, study or any other visa.

The citizens of those countries who enjoy visa-free procedures with EU are not bound to avail the policy. Medical insurance is optional for them and embassies or consulates do not demand it from them.

Travel Visa Insurance is a must when applying for a Schengen Visa

Extract from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009”, which entered into force on April 5 of 2010:

“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.

 The insurance shall be valid throughout theterritory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000” (…)

States Covered by Schengen Travel Insurance

The Schengen medical insurance covers the following states:

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.

New Schengen Visa Application Rules Come In To Effect

Several new Schengen visa application rules came into force in all countries with embassies grant this type of visa on February 2. The new regulations include hiked visa fees and extended application submission periods. Check out some of the major changes:

Increased visa fees

The Schengen visa fee has increased from 60 euros to 80 for adults, while children aged between six and 12 now need to pay 40 euros instead of 35.

The hike is to increase staff numbers, ensure stronger security screenings, and upgrade IT equipment and software, according to the European Commission.

For nationals of countries that have a visa-facilitation agreement with the European Union (EU), the fee remains the same.

Electronic application form

The application process has been greatly simplified. Schengen member states now accept electronic applications, and the application form can be signed and submitted electronically.

Longer application submission periods

Schengen visa applicants used to apply as early as three months ahead of their trip. Today applications can be submitted up to six months in advance.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa awarded to persons wishing to travel to oneor many of the countries that make of the 26 European country Schengen Area. It grants each holder entry to all the countries in the area on a single visa. Successful applicants are granted access to the area for tourism or business purposes and are given up to up to 90 days to stay.

Benefits for frequent travelers

Those who have previously visited the Schengen Area and have a positive visa history will be granted the opportunity to get a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years. That is, people who have lawfully used their previous visas, have a good economic standing in their home countries, and intend to leave the area before their Schengen visa expires will now have the chance to get a visa for up to five years with multiple entries.

The Schengen Area currently comprises 26 European states, the 22 EU member states and European Free Trade Association member states Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

About Schengen Tourist Visa

The Eiffel Tower in France, the Colosseum in Rome, the Alps in Switzerland and more such enticing travel destinations are scattered all over Europe. Planning a single trip to different countries in Europe, leaves travelers with a fundamental question, "Do multiple countries, mean multiple Visas? ". Travelers can sit back and relax, as they do not have to manage multiples Visas, but just one Schengen Visa that covers most of the travel destinations inEurope.

The Schengen Visa grants free movement across the 26 European countries under the Schengen area. (European countries that currently hold a place in Schengen: Wikipedia). These countries do not perform any border control checks such as immigration/passport verification when travelers cross internal boundaries. A treaty to abolish internal borders in Europe was signed and passed in 1985 in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg.  And that's how the Schengen Visa got named!

Even if Schengen Visa is a single Visa that grants privilege to enter and movein the Visa-Free Zone, it has to be applied with one of the Schengen countries. Here comes the most tricky question on Schengen Visa, with the most contradicting answers on the Internet: With travel planned across multiple countries, which country should one apply for a Schengen Visa?

StampMyVisa demystifies this once and for all:

Schengen Rules for Tourist Visa

Rule 1: Apply for your visa from the country where you are staying for the most number of nights. (As hotels stays are measured in nights, it is easy to count your length of stay in terms of nights)

Rule 2: After applying rule 1, in case of a tie between two or more countries with respect to the length of stay, apply for your visa from the country in which you are entering first (out of the countries which have a tie due to the same length of stay)

For instance. If you plan to stay in France and Spain each for 5 days, but amongst those, France is the first country you decide to visit first, apply for your visa at the France Embassy.

Schengen Rule for Business Visa

Rule 3: If you plan to explore neighboring countries in addition to your business trip, then your period of stay does not matter. Apply for your visa from the country which you are visiting for business purpose. 

Our previous blog on 'Schengen Visa Rejection Letter - Explained' throws light on possible reasons for rejection of Schengen Visa. Schengen visa application is one of the stringent visa processes. This makes it a visa with higher rejection chances.  Travelers should recognize this fact, understand the reasons for rejection and then proceed for visa application, thereby avoiding losses due to visa rejection.

Stamp My Visa highlights frequent mistakes travelers should avoid while applying for Schengen Visa:

1.         Delay in applying for Visa

2.         Booking flight tickets with heavy cancellation fees (How to apply for Schengen Visa without a confirmed flight booking: "What comes first? Visa Confirmation OR Flight Booking")

3.         Ignoring bank balance as a crucial criterion for Visa Approval (Readers can refer our blog on "Insufficient subsistence" to understand the significance of bank balance for Schengen Visa)

4.         Taking documentation too lightly

5.         Not knowing the alternate document to be provided in absence of a required document.

Should I get a hotel itinerary booking without paying the full price?

Many hotels charge non-refundable fees just for making a booking. This may be inconvenient because you could never be sure that you will get your visa approved, and you will not get refunded even in case of visa rejection.

However, there are specialized companies such as SchengenVisaItinerarythat will support your visa application by providing you with a dummy hotel booking confirmation for a small fee. This service is completely safe and is the most inexpensive way of dealing with hotel bookings prior to obtaining your visa.

Invitation from the Host

Many travelers, when traveling abroad plan to spend their night over at friends or family relatives in order to avoid expenses. It is not a problem for the embassy/consulate if you wish to do so, but you will still have to show proof that your friend or relative is willing to take you in and not only.

The host must write an Invitation Letter, where they confirm that you will be staying over at their place. This letter must contain the following details:

•           Dates when you will be staying,

•           Address of the place,

•           Name and Surname of the host,

•           Contact details of the host as email and telephone number,

•           Signature of the host,

•           The area of the place, and the number of members living in there.

Though not a requirement by every country, your host will also probably have to show proof that he or she has enough room for you. Because, in case you are planning to visit your friends, who are a couple that possesses only one bed at their place, and not even a sofa, then the embassy will most likely not approve your stay there. Actually, it is the host who is obligated to usually apply at the local office of his or her hometown for a document called ‘certificate of accommodation’ that confirms the availability of free room for another person. If the local authorities think that the available room is suitable for another person they will issue the document to the host, but if not then they will refuse to do so.

Invitation letter for Schengen Visa Application

In Europe, though the Schengen Area member states have a common policy on theissuance of visas, when it comes to the host invitation letter, each of them has their own rules. For example:

•           In France, the host must submit an original of the so-called “Declaration d’Accueil” (guarantee document). The same applies if the host is from Luxembourg.

•           In Austria, the host must request the ‘“Elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung“ at his/her municipality in Austria. He or she has to deliver this document to the Austrian Authorities not earlier than 30 days before the applicant’s visa appointment date.

•           In Belgium, the original “Engagement de Prise en Charge – Verbintenis tot Tenlasteneming 3 bis” must be stamped by the municipality and have the embossed stamp of the foreign office.

•           Whereas in the Netherlands the host must submit the original “Bewijs van Garantstelling”, and also three salary sheets/reports and work contract of the inviting person. If the host is independent he or she must also submit the registration in the trade register of the company, the decision of taxation called “down aanslaginkomstenbelastingen”, an official document from the tax “Belastingdienst”, and its profit and loss account copy.