Schengen Visa

The area that includes the members of the European Free Trade Association and the European Union is called Schengen. Thanks to the Schengen area agreement, citizens of member countries can travel between countries in this region with only their ID and passport, without the need for a visa. Citizens of countries outside the Schengen area apply for visas. When your visa application is approved, you have the opportunity to travel to one or more countries.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A visa is a very important detail for those who want to travel abroad. The answer to questions such as what is a visa and how to get it varies according to the type of visa. There are several types of visas for different countries and regions. A short-term visa, in which travelers to Schengen Area member countries can obtain a maximum of 90 days for business or tourism purposes, is called a Schengen visa. It is the most common visa for Europe and allows you to travel freely in Schengen countries.

The region that includes countries that are members of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association is called Schengen. Visa liberalization between these countries allows citizens of the country to travel within the region with only an ID and passport. A visa is required for citizens of countries outside the Schengen area. This visa is called a Schengen visa. There are a total of 26 countries among the countries to be visited with a Schengen visa. There are also countries that are members of the European Union but not members of Schengen. Romania, Ireland, Croatia, the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Bulgaria are among these countries.

 

Where and How to Get a Schengen Visa?

As of August 2022, applications are made electronically to obtain a Schengen visa. In addition to filling out and signing the application forms electronically, applications can be made through the representative office of the relevant country. After preparing the documents requested by the representation, the transactions can be completed by making an e-appointment online. First of all, it is necessary to enter the country from which the visa was obtained. Then, it is possible to pass to other countries during the visa period. So is there passport control between Schengen countries? There is no need for passport control when going from one Schengen country to another.

What are Schengen Visa Documents?

Although Schengen visa documents vary depending on the country, the documents required to obtain a Schengen visa from European Union member countries are as follows:

• Visa application form

• Passport

• Flight ticket and hotel reservation

• International travel insurance

• Photo in accordance with the dimensions

• Photocopy of identity card

• Certificate of residence

• Bank account information

 

Schengen Visa Application Documents Required from Employees

The Schengen visa application documents requested from the employee are as follows:

• Employer's letter

• 4A service breakdown

• Employment certificate

• Payroll

• Tax plate

• Signature circular

• Activity certificate

What are the Schengen Visa Steps?

To obtain a Schengen visa, you must first fulfill the relevant conditions and prepare the requested documents. Then you can make an appointment by applying to the representative office of the country you want to go to and wait for the result. Although the steps are different for different types such as Schengen C type visa and D type visa, the application and document submission are common at the beginning.

Things to Know for Schengen Visa

What needs to be done for a Schengen visa varies depending on the current citizenship, the country you want to visit, the type of travel and other political issues. For example; The visa procedures you will do when obtaining a Schengen visa for Erasmus and for touristic trips are different.

What are the Schengen Visa Countries?

Schengen visa countries include the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, Lithuania, Slovakia, Denmark, Portugal, France, Poland, Netherlands, Malta, Spain, Hungary, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy and Latvia.

 

Which European Countries Issue Schengen Visas?

Every country in the Schengen area can issue a Schengen visa. When the visa is approved, you must first enter the country where you received the visa. Then you can tour Europe with a Schengen visa.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Schengen Visa?

Schengen visa; It can be taken for various purposes such as visiting friends or relatives, tourist accommodation, business travel, education and employment. The issuance time of a Schengen visa may vary depending on the following factors:

• Workload of the Consulate General

• Purpose of applying for a Schengen visa

• Nationality of the applicant

• Examination status of documents

• Age of the applicant

• Hotel and flight reservation information

• Bank account information

• Profession and income status of the applicant

• Employer's letter

• Criminal record of the applicant

• Cross-country policies

Although these issues cause changes in the issuance time of the Schengen visa, the approval or rejection decision of an average visa is determined within at least 15 days. People whose visas are approved can stay for 90 days in European countries that are Schengen members. Apart from tourism or business visits, those who want to extend their Schengen visa for issues such as education and employment can apply for a national visa.

How Long is a Schengen Visa Valid?

There are type A, type C and type D Schengen visas. The validity period of these visa types varies according to their content. The Type A Schengen visa is only used for airport transit. The C-type Schengen visa is valid for short-term trips of 90 days. With this visa, you can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. If you are going to study, work or live permanently in the Schengen Area, you need to obtain a type D Schengen visa. This type of visa is valid for a maximum of 1 year.

 

How Many Days Is a Schengen Visa Issued?

The minimum duration of the visa issued for countries that can be visited with a Schengen visa varies. Generally, a visa for at least 7 days is issued to travel to Schengen countries. Conditions such as your purpose of travel and the country you want to travel to affect the duration of a Schengen visa. No matter how long you travel,  it is important to get travel health insurance before you leave for Schengen countries  . You should also make sure that this insurance has a period to cover your entire trip.

Is There Passport Control Between Schengen Countries?

Passport control is not carried out when traveling between Schengen countries. In other words, you do not need to show a passport when going from one country to another 25 countries among the countries to be visited with a Schengen visa. However, if you are new to or out of the Schengen area, you will face passport control. If you do not have a Schengen visa and want to go abroad,  you can travel to these countries by simply showing your passport, thanks to the list of visa-free countries.

The Schengen visa opens the doors of Europe without borders. Having health insurance against sudden illness, emergency and other diseases that you may encounter abroad provides great support in the treatment process.