It’s crucial to learn about the Tourist Schengen Visa if you are planning to travel to Europe. Almost all countries in Europe are a part of the so-called “Schengen Agreement“, with the exception of a few countries (check out our “Detailed Guide on the Schengen Countries Area” here). This means that you have to apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa in order to get in to Europe.
There are a lot of rules and regulations in relation to the Tourist Schengen Visa, and if you don’t know the requirements there is a big chance your visa application will get rejected. There are also specific rules as to where you can submit your application, so read this article carefully to make sure you have everything in order when it’s time to send in your Tourist Schengen Visa Application.
Understanding the visas and visa processes can be challenging at its best. At Schengen visa flight reservation, we offer FREE visa consultations via WhatsApp, and a 24/7 customer service ready to answer all your questions. Wondering what documents you need for your Tourist Schengen Visa application? Drop us a message on WhatsApp or e-mail, and we will get right back to you!
Understanding the Schengen Area and the Tourist Schengen Visa:
Understanding what the Schengen Area is exactly, is the first step to understanding the Tourist Schengen Visa and in what countries this visa is valid. Many people don’t know that not all European countries are a part of the Schengen Agreement Area (for example the United Kingdom), and not all countries that are a part of the Schengen Agreement Area are a part of the European Union (for example Norway). There are actually certain ways you can use this fact for your benefit when travelling in Europe.
At the time of writing this article, there are 28 countries that are members of the EU:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
However, this list is not the list you need to learn by heart! The list of countries YOU need to focus on, is the list of Schengen Area countries because it’s for these specific countries your Tourist Schengen Visa is valid. There are currently 26 countries that are a part of the Schengen Area out of the 28 EU member states. These countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
So what is so special with the Schengen Agreement Area and does it have anything to do with my Tourist Schengen Visa?
Yes, it has everything to do with your Tourist Schengen Visa. The Tourist Schengen Visa allows you to stay in the Schengen Agreement Area for a total of up to 90 days within a period of up to 6 months (180 days). There are several types of Tourist Schengen Visas, including single entry, double entry and multiple entry Schengen Visa. If you apply for a multiple entry Tourist Schengen Visa you are free to leave and return to the Schengen Agreement Area as many times as you wish within the 180 days period, however your combined stay in the Schengen Agreement Area cannot total more than 90 days.
This is when your two lists of EU and Schengen member states come in; let’s say you travel the Schengen Area for 30 days, and then head to the United Kingdom (not a Schengen member state). This will “stop the clock” on your Tourist Schengen Visa, but you are still traveling Europe! Spend a month discovering the wonders of the UK, before heading back into the Schengen area and resuming your Tourist Schengen Visa countdown.
Once you have obtained your Tourist Schengen Visa, you can enter the Schengen Agreement Area (Note! You must apply for your Schengen Visa at the embassy of the country you intend to enter the Schengen Agreement Area through first) and travel freely within all the Schengen member countries.
How to Apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa:
The application process for the Tourist Schengen Visa is pretty identical to any other tourist visa application process, but with a few differences:
- Like we have already mentioned, the country you intend to enter the Schengen Agreement Area through first will be the embassy you submit your Tourist Schengen Visa application to. For example: If you plan to travel to France as the first country in the Schengen Agreement Area, then you have to submit your Tourist Schengen Visa application to the French Embassy.
- Every Tourist Schengen Visa application must contain both flight itinerary and hotel bookings. The following statement has been copied from the Schengen Visa Application form for Thai citizens visiting Norway:
“Booking of roundtrip air ticket, with fixed travel dates of maximum 90 days. (Do not buy the ticket until a visa has been granted. Note: If the application is approved, the visa will be issued according to the dates on the booking).”
All embassies specifically advise against purchasing any flights or paying for any hotels before your visa application is approved, however they still require the itineraries.
The first requirement is unchangeable. You have to decide which country you want to enter the Schengen Agreement Area through. This is the reality when it comes to applying for visas, but the good news is that once you are in, you can travel freely in any of the 26 member states!
The second requirement is one that causes headaches for thousands of travelers every year. How can you get a flight reservation for visa or hotel booking for a visa application without purchasing the ticket or paying for the room?
Until recently, there actually haven’t been any good solutions. Travelers have been forced to purchase flight tickets before knowing their Tourist Schengen Visa has been approved. Just like you, we have been in that same situation, and that’s why we decided to create the services of Schengen visa flight reservation. On our website we have made it possible for you and other travelers to pay a small fee to get the flight reservation for visa or hotel booking for visa application, you need for your Tourist Schengen Visa.
We cooperate with travel agencies that make the booking for you, and take care of the cancellation process as well. Your bookings are valid until 24 hours prior to check-in, so they will be confirmed by the airline or hotel if you call them to verify. Our services are fast, simple and secure – you make your purchase via PayPal or credit card, and we will e-mail you the itinerary in 6 to 24 hours. We also provide super fast flight itinerary, which you will get within 6 hours time duration from ordering time. If you are pressed for time, all you need to do is drop us a message on WhatsApp (+1 201-554-8735) and we will reply immediately.
Let us know how your Tourist Schengen Visa application goes for you!!
