Schengen Visa Traveler Guidelines
Definition of Granting Categories and How to Submit an Application
Schengen visas, obtained from a member nation's embassy or consulate, are issued in one of several categories depending on the individual traveler and reason for stay.
A Schengen visa is a common visa established through guidelines set forth in the European Union’s Schengen Acquis (Schengen Agreement). Instead of travelers needing a separate visa for each European country they visit (for short-term stays), they can now purchase a single uniform Schengen visa for the same purpose. Due to the abolition of border checkpoints, Schengen has simplified European travel to be similar to travel between states in the USA.
The uniform Schengen visa is granted by a member state via a sticker affixed to the traveler’s passport or other official travel document. With this common visa, provided entry conditions are met at the time of entry, the traveler is allowed to cross the border.
Schengen Visa Categories
Schengen visas are granted in one of several categories, depending on each individual traveler and the reason for their stay in the area:
- Category A is an airport transit visa. It is required for some travelers passing through an airport’s international transit area during a stop-over or transfer between two segments of an international flight. The requirement for this type of visa is an exception to the general right of transit without a visa through airport international transit areas.
- Category B is a transit visa. It is required for travelers who are not visa-free for traveling between non-Schengen states, but passing through the Schengen area. Each transit must not exceed five days.
- Category C is a short-term stay visa. They entitle travelers to a single continuous or multiple visits not exceeding three months during any half-year from the date of first entry into the Schengen area. This type of visa is issued for reasons other than immigration.
- Category D is a national visa. Schengen-participating states, in accordance with their own national legislation, can issue this type of visa to travelers allowing transit from a non-Schengen nation to their country within five days of issuance. The traveler may travel to other Schengen nations only after obtaining a residence title after arrival in the initial destination country (or obtaining a different visa).
- Category D+C combines the functions of both types of visas. This visa is intended for long-term stay in the issuing Schengen state, but also allows travel within the Schengen Zone like a holder of a normal Category C visa.
- FTD and FRTD are special visas issued for road (FTD) or rail (FRTD) transit only between the mainland Russian Federation and its westernmost region, Kaliningrad Oblast (an island in the Baltic Sea).
Obtaining a Schengen Visa
To obtain a Schengen visa, travelers must first identify which Schengen country is their main destination. This step determines which member state is responsible for the processing and decision on the Schengen visa application. The application must be submitted to that nation’s embassy or consulate. If a main destination cannot be determined, the application should be filed with the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country of first entry.
The application form must be submitted with a valid passport, and if necessary, other supporting documentation regarding the purpose and condition of the stay within the Schengen Zone. Some countries may require the applicant to appear in person to verbally explain their reasons for the visa application.
The applicant must have travel insurance covering a minimum of 30,000 Euros for expenses incurred as a result of emergency medical treatment or other health-related care. Proof of insurance must be provided after the decision to grant the Schengen visa has already been made.
References
“Consolidated version of the Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15 March 2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.” Official Journal of the European Communities. January 19, 2007.
“The Schengen Acquis.” Official Journal of the European Communities. September 22, 2000.
“The Schengen area and cooperation.” Europa/European Communities. October 12, 2007.
