AXA Visa

For more than 12 years, SchengenVisaInfo has been providing complete and up-to-date information on Schengen visas, ETIAS, and EES.

To date, we have informed and helped more than 280 million people, in order to understand how to get a Schengen visa and what the entry requirements are to travel to Europe. The rules, guidelines and the information we provide are based on the EU Regulation 810/2009 (Visa Code) and the official European Commission Guidance.

Getting a Schengen Visa

The application procedure for the Schengen visa is uniform for all the Schengen states according to the EU regulation no. 810/2009 (Visa Code). The requirements for submitting an application and processing time may differ from one embassy to another.

Key Steps to Apply for the Schengen Visa

  1. Check if you must apply for a Schengen visa. 
  2. Understand the correct visa type you need to apply for based on your travel purpose.
  3. Determine the correct consulate: Apply at the consulate of your main destination (where you’ll spend most days). For equal-length stays, apply at your first entry point into the Schengen Area.
  4. Collect all the required documents:
  5. Booking an Appointment: Book an appointment via VFS Global or your embassy’s booking system. Availability can be very short during peak season so book as early as possible, typically between 2-4 weeks prior to the required application submission deadline.
  6. Submission of Documents: Present your documents and give biometric data (fingerprinting plus photo) and pay the visa fee.
  7. Processing Time: Receive a decision within 15 calendar days (normal) to 45 calendar days (complex cases).
  8. Receiving Your Passport: Collect your passport with the visa sticker displaying the validity of your visa, length of stay, number of entries allowed.

Timeframe for Applying: File your application between 1 – 6 months before traveling. Earliest: 6 months prior to travel. Latest: 15 working days prior to travel. Recommend: As soon as possible, ideally 1 month prior to planned travel.

For detailed requirements and a step-by-step application process, check the following articles written by SchengenVisaInfo experts:

If Your Application Is Denied

Each year approximately 15 – 20 percent of all Schengen visa applications are denied. An understanding of the denial reasons found under EU Visa Code Article 32 can help you avoid being denied and understand how to properly make an appeal if you are denied.

Common Denial Reasons

  • Insufficient financial resources: bank statements which show irregular deposits, low consistent balances and/or a large deposit into your account shortly before the application date;
  • Intent to depart is not clear: weak ties to your home country (no job, no property, no family obligations, previous over stays);
  • Purpose is not legitimate: vague itinerary’s, accommodations which do not support your purpose of travel, and/or inconsistencies between your explanation of purpose and supporting documents.

Rights If Denied
You have the right to appeal within 15-30 days depending on the country where you applied; and the refusal letter must provide the specific reason(s) for the denial under Article 32 and explain the process for appealing the decision.

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