Schengen area is an open border area that guarantees free movement to more than 450 million EU citizens, along with non-EU nationals visiting the EU as tourists or living in the EU, exchange for business purposes or for students. Currently the Schengen Area includes most of the EU countries, except for Ireland and Cyprus, Non-EU States Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Norway, have additionally joined the Schengen
Area. Schengen Tourist Visa Allows the holder to remain in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days time for the sake of business, tourism, medical treatment, visiting family, training, studies, placements or volunteers or other non profit activities lasting less than 3 months.
What is a Schengen Tourist Visa?
Schengen Tourist Visa allows the travelers to to enter into any of the 29 Schengen countries and this Visa is issued to the nationals of developing countries. Schengen Tourist Visa allows the holder to travel to any of the states of Schengen and it allows to stay up to 90 days within the time period of 6 months. This tourist is only for tourism or leisure and travelers are not allowed to conduct business or work. The difference between the Schengen Tourist Visa and other visa types lies in the goal of the visit. additional proof of business activities and invitations may require in Business visas, but tourist visas aim more on financial ability to fund the trip and travel plan. Some Schengen countries covered by the visa are:
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- France
- Finland
- Greece
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Iceland
- Latvia
- Luxembourg
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Malta
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Poland
- Romania
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Spain
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
Who Needs a Schengen Tourist Visa?
According to the regulation of Schengen, citizens of the below listed countries compulsorily need a Schengen visa to travel to any country, Travel through any country or travel between any country within the area of Schengen. Citizens of any African nation, Russia, and Middle Eastern ones, India, China, Jordan, and nearly a hundred more countries need a Schengen Tourist visa to travel around all states in the Schengen area.
There are hundred Nationalities like India, the UAE, Pakistan, etc that don't need a Schengen Visa to travel to, through, or around the states of Schengen areas. If you are citizens of European Union countries then you don’t need a visa to travel within or to the Schengen area.
Schengen Tourist Visa Requirements (Updated for 2025)
Some basic Documents are required for the Application of Schengen Tourist Visa such documents are:
Valid passport criteria:
A Valid Passport is required for all the applicants of Schengen Visa. the passport which you are submitting must be valid from 3 months far away from your planned stay in the area of Schengen. Your passport also needs to have 2 blank pages for Visa stamps. It is advisable to renew your passport before applying for your visa if it expires soon. This will help to avoid rejection.
Visa application form:
Application Form is the main document while applying for the Schengen Tourist Visa. This form will contain your personal details like your birthdate, birth place, full name, and more. Filling the visa application form ensures that you provide detailed and accurate information, because mismatching of information may lead to rejection or delays.
Travel itinerary and flight bookings:
Travel itinerary and flight reservation is also an important part Under the requirements of Schengen visa. The itinerary should show the entry dates and exit dates from the areas of Schengen. while heading abroad for a longer stay and when you don't know your return date then it may be possible to provide a one way ticket.
Proof of accommodation (hotel reservations, invitation letters, etc.):
At the time of applying for a Schengen visa you have to provide the evidence of where you will be staying during the trip. This can be a private rental agreement, hotel booking or vacation rental or it can be an invitation from your host if you stay with your family or friends. You can check the policies for the destination you’ll be traveling to, because some countries may have some norms when it comes to staying with a host.
Financial proof (bank statements, income proof)
The Applicants must ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover their expenses at the time of their stay. This exhibits through pay slips, bank statements, and sometimes a letter from your employer. It is mandatory to show proof of funds that you have to cover a daily amount which is set by the country where you are going to.
Travel insurance requirements:
The most crucial element of a Schengen visa application is gaining a valid Travel insurance. Before you submit your visa application, your policy must be purchased, and it must meet the criterias. inadequate coverage may lead to rejection of your application.
Additional documents for special cases (sponsors, minors, etc.):
Some additional documents like a minor's birth certificate, detailed sponsorship from the sponsors along with their financial proof, sometimes if the minor alone is traveling then a parental authorization letter is required for special cases.
4. Step-by-Step Application Process
The step by step process for applying the Schengen Tourist Visa are:
Step 1: Determine the Correct Embassy/Consulate
The first step to apply is choosing the right consulate or embassy of the country where you wish to visit. If you are going to multiple countries, then you can apply with the country where you will stay for a longer period, if you wish to spend equal time in multiple countries then you can apply to the first country where you will enter.
Step 2: Book an Appointment
The next step is you need to book an appointment for an in- person interview and biometric collection. You can very well do this through the embassy, consulate, or through the visa application center of your recipient country. Clear your schedule earlier and save the date.
Step 3: Fill Out the Visa Application Form
The visa application form can be filled online itself. The online form also has the same format no problem which country visa you are applying for. The method of completing this application may differ. You have to download the application form as a PDF, you have to fill it out and print it. You can complete the application form through the designated portal provided by the embassy and complete the visa application form through a visa application center. Remember to read the instructions and fill out the Schengen visa application form to avoid any errors during the process.
Step 4: Gather Required Documents
Each and every Visa requires additional documents for the purpose of your travel. Some specific documents are need for each and every type of Schengen visa those documents are:
- Tourist
- Medical Treatment
- Cultural, Sports, or Religious Events
- Visiting Friends or Relatives
- Journalists & Reporters
- Official Visits
Step 5: Attend the Visa Interview
Even though the Application Form is filled online, still you need to submit your application in person because you also have to provide your biometric information like fingerprints, photos, and more. Be on time and bring all the required documents on the day of your appointment.
Make sure you make a correct and firm answer when they ask any questions about the intended trip, other travel details, and personal questions like your family, work, etc. try to make a clear answer because they comply with the information in the application form and the documents that you have submitted.
Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
The applicants have to pay a non refundable administration fee at the time of applying for a Schengen visa. The method of payment depends on the visa application centre or specific embassy. Certain categories may qualify for the exception from payment or reduced fees, this depends on their situation.
Step 7: Wait for Processing & Track Your Application
Usually a Schengen visa application takes 15 days to process, If the consulate requires additional documents, if there are more applications, if there are holidays, or if the other reasons delay the process then the time period of 15 days can be extended up to 45 days. So wait for Processing & Track your application.
5. Schengen Tourist Visa Processing Time & Fees in 2025
If the Schengen Visa application reaches the Consulate then it’ll take an average time of 15 days to process your Schengen visa application. It is advised to remember the timing before filling your application. If your travel date lies within 2 weeks of the application date, then please do check whether you can postpone your trip or not. The applicants should pay a visa fee of EUR 80. Children from the age of 6 years and below 12 years should pay a visa fee of EUR 40.
6. Common Reasons for Visa Rejection & How to Avoid Them
Here are Some of the common reasons for visa rejection:
- Incomplete or incorrect documents
Submission of incorrect and imcomplete documents leads to rejection of the Schengen Visa. The candidates are advised to double check the details at the submission of required documents.
- Insufficient financial proof
Having inadequate financial proof like bank statements, pay slips, and sometimes a letter from your employer may lead to the rejection of a Schengen Visa application. It is necessary to show proof of funds which are used to cover a daily amount set by the country where you are going to.
- Weak travel itinerary
Try to have a proper Travel itinerary to avoid visa rejection, Because the applicants are required to show the entry dates and exit dates from the areas of Schengen.
- Previous visa violations
The violation of the previous visa such as Overstaying a visa or breaking the terms of the previous visa, may also be one of the reasons for the rejection of the Schengen Visa Application.
7. Extending or Renewing a Schengen Tourist Visa
The Schengen visa application can be extended up to 45 days from the normal time period of 15 days when there are more applications, if the consulate requires additional documents, or if there are holidays, then the time period of 15 days can be extended up to 45 days, hence the applicants are advised to wait for Processing & Track your application.
8. Travel Tips for Schengen Visa Holders
It will be better if The Schengen Visa Holders Understand visa validity and entry rules And requirements of Border control, Travel restrictions & COVID-19 updates (if any) at the time of filling the application.
Conclusion
Follow the above discussed details to get a successful application of Schengen Visa. by this you can be free from the fear of visa application rejection. All the very best for the future applicants who are going to start filing the application of Schengen Tourist Visas.
