Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa

Traveling to Europe is an exciting adventure for business, pleasure, or study. The Schengen Area, comprising 27 European countries, offers a seamless travel experience. However, navigating the visa application process can take time and effort. That's where we come in.

At Pak-Harmain, we specialize in simplifying the Schengen visa application process, ensuring you have everything you need for a successful application. Our dedicated team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way, providing personalized support tailored to your unique travel plans.

What is a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows its holder to travel within the Schengen Area. It consists of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and any other type of border control at their mutual borders.

The Schengen Visa is issued by the consular authorities of the Schengen member states and permits the holder to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days. It is a popular visa for tourists, business travelers, and those visiting friends or family in Europe.

Schengen Countries

What are the 26 countries in a Schengen visa?

The Schengen Area consists of 26 European countries, which include:

• 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
• Switzerland

These countries have agreed to eliminate internal border controls and adopt a common visa policy, allowing people to travel freely within the Schengen area with a single Schengen visa. The Schengen Visa is one of the most widely recognized and sought-after visas for travel to Europe.

What Are The Requirements to Get a Schengen Visa?

The main requirements to obtain a Schengen Visa are:

• Completed application form: The Schengen Visa application form must be filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
• Passport: A valid passport with at least two blank pages and a validity extending at least 3 months beyond the planned stay in the Schengen area.
• Passport photos: Two recent, passport-style photos that meet the required specifications.
• Travel medical insurance: Proof of valid travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for any medical emergencies during the stay in the Schengen area.
• Proof of accommodation: Confirmed hotel reservations, rental agreements, or proof of stay with a host.
• Proof of financial means: Bank statements, payslips, or a letter from the employer demonstrating sufficient funds to cover the expenses during the trip.
• Proof of the purpose of the trip: This may include flight reservations, tour itineraries, business invitations, or admission letters for studies.
• Visa application fee: The standard Schengen Visa fee is €80 for applicants aged 12 and above (with some exceptions).

Additional documents may be required depending on the applicant's nationality, the purpose of the trip, and the specific Schengen country's requirements.

Schengen Visa Validity

The Schengen Visa has the following validity periods:

• Short-stay Schengen Visa: Allows the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 180 days. This is the most common type of Schengen Visa.
• Multiple-entry Schengen Visa: Allows the holder to enter the Schengen area multiple times during the visa's validity period. The validity period can range from 1 year to 5 years, depending on the applicant's travel history and need.
• Long-stay Schengen Visa: Allows the holder to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days. This type of visa is issued for specific purposes, such as study, work, or family reunification. The validity period is determined by the purpose of the stay, but it cannot exceed 1 year.

It's important to note that the Schengen Visa validity period is calculated from the date of first entry into the Schengen area. The visa holder must leave the Schengen area before the visa expires, or they may face penalties or difficulties with future visa applications.

Schengen Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a Schengen Visa application can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Time of year: Processing times tend to be longer during peak travel seasons, such as summer and holidays. During these periods, visa application centers may receive a higher volume of applications.
• Nationality of the applicant: Certain nationalities may be subject to additional security checks, which can lengthen the processing time.
• Completeness of the application: Applications with all required documents submitted correctly and on time tend to be processed faster.
• Consular workload: The processing time can also depend on the workload of the consular staff at the specific Schengen country's embassy or consulate.

In general, the processing time for a Schengen Visa application can range from:

• 15 calendar days for a standard application
• Up to 45 calendar days for more complex applications

However, it's important to note that these are just rough estimates, and the actual processing time can vary significantly. Applicants are advised to apply for their Schengen Visa well in advance of their planned travel date, typically at least 4-6 weeks before the intended trip.

Schengen Visa Fee

The standard Schengen Visa fee is €80 (or the equivalent in the local currency) for applicants aged 12 and above. There are a few exceptions to this fee:

• Children under the age of 6: No visa fee is charged.
• Applicants between the ages of 6 and 12: The visa fee is €40.
• Family members of EU/EEA citizens: The visa fee is waived.
• Certain categories of applicants: The visa fee may be waived or reduced, such as for students, researchers, and certain business travelers, depending on the Schengen country's national visa policy.

It's important to note that the visa fee must be paid when applying and is non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued or not.

The visa fee is typically paid in the local currency of the Schengen country where the application is submitted. Some Schengen countries may also accept payment in euros.

In addition to the visa fee, applicants may need to pay other administrative fees, such as those for submitting biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) or for expedited processing. These additional fees vary by Schengen country and should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate.

Applicants should check the specific visa fee and any additional costs before submitting their Schengen Visa application to avoid any unexpected expenses.

FAQs

Which Schengen country is easy to apply for? Among the Schengen countries, Germany, Italy, and Spain are generally considered more accessible for visa applications. These countries have well-established visa application processes, clearly communicated requirements, and relatively reasonable processing times compared to some other Schengen nations.

Which is the best Schengen country to visit? Some of the most popular and highly recommended Schengen countries for visitors include Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland, each offering unique cultural, historical, and natural attractions.

Which is the cheapest Schengen country? Among the Schengen countries, the relatively more affordable options for visitors tend to be Eastern European nations like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. These countries generally offer lower costs for accommodation, food, transportation, and other travel expenses compared to Western European Schengen countries like France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Can a Schengen visa be rejected? Yes, a Schengen visa application can be rejected for various reasons, such as:

• Incomplete or inaccurate application
• Insufficient justification for the trip
• Doubts about the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen area or concerns related to the applicant's financial means or security/public health.

How to get a Schengen visa from Pakistan? To obtain a Schengen Visa from Pakistan, the applicant should follow these steps:

1. Determine the Schengen country you plan to visit and submit the visa application at the respective embassy or consulate in Pakistan or through an authorized Schengen visa application center.
2. Gather all the required documents, including a completed application form, a valid passport, photographs, travel medical insurance, proof of accommodation, and evidence of financial means and the purpose of the trip.
3. Pay the visa application fee, which is typically €80 for applicants aged 12 and above.
4. Schedule an appointment for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photographs) at the visa application center.
5. Wait for the processing of the visa application, which can take up to 15 calendar days, or longer in some cases.
6. If the visa is approved, collect the passport with the issued Schengen Visa.

Let us help you make your European dream come true with a smooth and stress-free visa process at Pak-Harmain.