Schengen Visitor Visa - EU Visa for Visiting Family, Friends or Relatives (2024)

A Schengen visitor visa grants its holder a short-term stay in any country in the Schengen Area to visit family or friends.

What Is the Difference Between a Visitor Visa and a Tourist Visa?

The difference between a Schengen visitor visa and a Schengen tourist visa lies in the purpose of the visit. While a tourist visa is for leisure or tourism, a visitor visa is specifically for visiting family members or close friends residing in the Schengen Area.

A visitor visa typically requires an invitation letter from the person being visited, whereas a tourist visa does not have this requirement.

How Do I Apply for a Visitor Visa to the Schengen Area?

To apply for a Schengen visitor visa, follow these steps:

1. Check if you need a visa.
2. Determine if you qualify for a Visitor visa.
3. Find out where to submit your application.
4. Complete and download the visa application form.
5. Schedule your Visitor visa appointment.
6. Prepare the required documents.
7. Attend the visa interview.
8. Wait for the visa to process.
9. Collect your passport.

Check if You Need to Apply for a Schengen Visitor Visa

If your nationality is on the list of countries whose nationals need a Schengen short-stay visa, you must apply for a Schengen visitor visa to visit family or friends in the Schengen Area. Nationals from other countries can enter Europe visa-free for a maximum of 90 days.

Use the Visitor Schengen Visa Checker to determine if you need to apply for a visitor visa before travelling to the Schengen zone to visit family or friends.

Determine if You Qualify for a Visitor Visa

Your trip to the EU/Schengen Area must be primarily for visiting family or friends to qualify for a Schengen visitor visa.

Common scenarios where you may be eligible for a short-stay visitor visa include:

• Visiting Family: Planning to visit relatives, such as parents, spouse, siblings, or cousins, residing in the Schengen Area.
• Visiting Friends: Intending to visit close friends who are residents of Schengen countries.

Remember that the primary purpose of your trip must be to visit family or friends, and you should not engage in any activities involving business, work, or seeking employment during your stay in the Schengen Area.

Find Out Where to Submit Your Application

You can file your Schengen visitor visa application at one of the following:

• An embassy or consulate of the main destination country.
• A designated visa centre authorized by the embassy of your destination country to handle visa submissions.
• The embassy or consulate of another Schengen state to which your destination country has delegated the responsibility for visa submissions.

You can use our Visitor Schengen Visa Checker to find out where to submit your visa application, or read the following article for more details!

Complete & Download the Visa Application Form

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility for a Visitor short-stay visa to Europe and determined where to submit your application, you should complete the visa application form.

You have two options for this: you can either download the standard Schengen visa application form, fill in all the required information, print it out, and sign it, or you can visit the official websites of the Schengen member countries and fill it out directly online through their systems.

For example, if you’re applying for a Visitor visa for Germany, you can complete the visa application on the official Videx website of the Auswärtiges Amt.

Schedule Your Visitor Visa Appointment

After determining where to apply for the Visitor Schengen visa and filling out the visa application form, the next step is to schedule an appointment.

Usually, you can do this online through the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre’s website. Keep in mind that certain embassies may only accept appointments made through their official website.

Available slots depend on the EU/Schengen embassy/consulate and the time of year. Based on our experience, we strongly suggest that you inquire about appointments at least three weeks before you plan to travel.

Our Schengen visa checker not only determines whether you require a visitor visa, but it also assists you in identifying the correct consulate/VAC for application and booking a visitor visa appointment.

Prepare the Required Documents for a Visitor Visa

To apply for a Schengen visa for visiting family, friends, or relatives in Europe, you’ll need to gather the following documents:

• • Visa application form. Fully completed and signed.
  • A valid passport.Not older than 10 years, and it should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area. Older passports with visas on them (if you have any).
  • Two recently taken photos must be attached. These photos must have been taken within the last three months, as per the visa photo requirements. You can obtain Schengen visa-compliant photos online at MyBiometricPhotos.com
  • A round-trip reservation or itinerary must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schengen area.
  • Travel insurance policy. This is a document confirming that you have health coverage for your entire visit to the Schengen territory.

    Get free quotes and compare top-rated Schengen insurance plans from trusted providers. Ensure a hassle-free Schengen visitor visa application process by selecting the right insurance plan that meets all the requirements outlined in Regulation (EU) 2009/810 of the European Parliament.

  • Proof of accommodation. You must provide proof of your accommodation, such as hotel reservation, private accommodation, rental agreement, etc. If you’re staying with a friend or family member, please include proof that you will be staying with them, such as their address or a statement from them saying they will be hosting you.
  • Letter of invitation. Include a letter of invitation from your friend or family member who you are visiting in the Schengen Area. If they are sponsoring you financially, they must state so in the invitation letter.
  • Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the Schengen. This can be one of the following:
    • Bank account statement—This shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement must be no older than three months.
    • Sponsorship Letter—by the inviting person confirming they will be financially supporting your trip to Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
    • A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship.
  • Proof of paid visa fee. If you’ve already paid online after confirming your appointment, please show the receipt. Otherwise, you’ll need to make the payment during the interview.
  • For employees:
    • Employment contract.
    • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.
    • Leave permission from the employer.
    • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
  • For the self-employed:
    • A copy of your business license.
    • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months.
    • Income Tax Return (ITR).
  • For students:
    • Proof of enrollment.
    • No objection letter from the School or University.
  • For retirees:
    • Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
  • If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
    • A confirmation of Employment letter, no older than three months, from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company and the starting date.
    • Spouse’s valid passport.
    • An official marriage certificate.

Please note that official visa authorities hold the right to ask for any additional documents.

Attend the Visa Interview

Although some Schengen countries and authorized visa centres might offer the option to fill out the application online, you still have to submit your Schengen visitor visa application in person because you also have to provide your biometric information (photo and fingerprints). So, on the day of your scheduled appointment, show up on time and bring all the required documents.

The interview typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Please make sure your responses are clear and accurate and align with the information provided in your application form and other documents.

Here are some articles that could assist you in preparing for a successful Schengen Visitor visa interview.

Pay the Visa Fee

When applying for a Schengen Visitor visa, you must pay a non-refundable fee. The payment method depends on the specific embassy/consulate or visa application centre.

The application fee for a Schengen Visitor visa is €90, but certain categories may qualify for reduced fees or exemption from payment, depending on their circ*mstances.

The visa fees are consistent across all member countries.

Wait for the Response

Be patient as you await a response regarding your Visitor visa application. Typically, visas are processed within 15 days, but this period may be extended on occasion. Depending on various factors, the processing time can range from 15 to 45 days.

Upon approval, the consular officer will issue a Schengen visa of a specific type and validity.

Collect Your Passport

On the day of your appointment, you will be notified of how you can collect your passport after the visa has been processed. There are two ways:

• You can pick it up in person at the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre.
• Alternatively, they can arrange for delivery through a courier service, albeit at an additional cost.

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