The Schengen zone consists of 29 European countries that have eliminated their borders, and their citizens can travel freely between member countries. Furthermore, citizens of other countries can easily apply for a visa to visit any member country because of a uniformed tourist permit known as the “Schengen Visa”- usually valid for 90 days in a 180 day period.
The application process for a Schengen visa is simple since all member countries provide the same application form for everyone. The best part; you can visit other Schengen countries while your visa is valid. However, the first step in getting your visa is to fill in your application form correctly.
The first thing you need to do before you start to fill out your visa form is to download the application- you can find the PDf version of the Schengen visa application form here:
After completing the Schengen visa application form, you can proceed to gather the rest of the required documents for the application process. Once you have all the documents, you should make an appointment with the Diplomatic Missions (embassy/consulate) of your destination country and submit the Schengen visa application.
The Schengen visa application form must be submitted at the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country you will spend the longest duration of your stay or your main destination. This is known as the “competent consulate” with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
However, in some cases, the Schengen country you are visiting may have outsourced visa application centers or designated agencies which assist in the visa application process on behalf of the embassy or consulate.
No, you cannot submit your Schengen visa application without a signature. The signature is a crucial element of the application form as it signifies your consent and the authenticity of the information provided. It serves as a confirmation that the details you have provided are accurate and that you take responsibility for the application.
The Schengen Visa application form itself does not have an expiration date. On the other hand, the Schengen Visa application process has specific time limits and requirements. Therefore as long as you fill out your visa application earlier than when you submit your application, you will be good to go.
*It is advisable to contact the foreign missions of the country you want to visit to ask for clarification regarding the Schengen Visa application form.
