Even before you have thought about packaging your belongings to travel down to your favorite country in the Schengen area you need to know how long does it take to get a Schengen visa? The time taken by the authorities to process your visa application in the Schengen area depends on the type of your visa and time. Whether you are willing to arrive in the Schengen area in the peak season or shoulder season you need to know how long does it take to get a Schengen visa? You can apply for the Schengen visa application form and visit the embassy when an appointment is scheduled.
Schengen Visa Process:
When an applicant for a Schengen visa applies in any of the Schengen countries, they must undergo several processes.
Schengen Visa Processing Time
Processing time for different visas are different depending on the type of visa, time documentation etc.
Standard Time Required
The average processing time for the Schengen visa is 15 days. You can count the number of days from the date of the interview or the date of the Schengen visa application, as provided by the applicant.
Special Cases
Examples of special cases include incomplete and incorrect documentation, doubts about the applicant’s intent, the applicant’s previous history, security concerns, and peak season, which are major reasons behind the delay in processing your visa. In such cases, there may be a 30-day delay in processing the visa.
Type of Visa Matters
When applying for a Schengen visa, it is essential to be aware of the different types of visas available, which you must select based on your travel purpose.
Short Stay Visa:
Most of the tourists arriving in the Schengen area opt for a short-stay Schengen visa.
Processing Time:
Typically, a short-stay Schengen visa is processed within 15 days or less. The time required for processing the visa depends on the embassy’s workload. Short-stay Short-stay Schengen visas are issued for tourism, family visits, business conferences or meetings, or medical reasons. A short-stay Schengen visa is often referred to as a Type C visa.
Airport Transit Visa (Type A):
These visas are issued to individuals with connecting flights. They are not allowed to enter the Schengen area. The visa type is generally issued within 7 to 10 days, depending upon workload and nationality.
Long Stay Visa (Type D):
This type of visa is issued by the authorities for individuals seeking to stay in the Schengen area for an extended period. The stay visa type requires significantly more documentation and information related to the person who intends to enter the Schengen area. It can take 30 to 60 days for your long-stay visa to be processed.
Cost of the Schengen Visa
People visiting the Schengen area can budget their expenses more effectively once they know the costs associated with visiting the country.
- Adult € 90 age above 12 years
- Children € 45 age 6- 11 years
- Minor Free age below 6 years
Early Application Window
The Schengen visa timeline is vital to travel in the Schengen area. You can apply for the Schengen visa up to 6 months in advance of the journey date. However, is this exemption extended to 3 months more up to 9 months for seafarers?
Booking your visa in advance is highly recommended for individuals planning to travel to the Schengen area and who intend to visit multiple countries within the region.
Providing yourself with some buffer days allows you to compensate for any unforeseen delays from the date of departure.
Nationality Factor
Your nationality is an important aspect to consider when visiting the Schengen area. Some countries have been granted more liberty to travel in the Schengen area, such as the UAE, where the Government of the UAE signed an agreement with European Union countries in May 2015. According to the agreement, UAE citizens and other individuals holding a residential status can travel in European Union countries on visa-free travel in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days.
However, some countries require additional checks to obtain a Schengen visa.
Third-Party Agencies
Instead of applying directly, some individuals prefer to use an authorized third-party service to obtain a Schengen visa. Rayna Tours is one such organization that provides services for processing Schengen visas in the UAE.
Benefits
- These organizations have dedicated staff, which enables them to process the visa.
- They employ skilled professionals who possess all the necessary knowledge to work in such an organization.
- They cannot only guide you but also plan your journey so that you can get the most out of your money while you are in the Schengen area.
- They will assist you with all the necessary documentation and formalities that need to be completed.
- Though the chances of error while applying for the visa are negligible by these organizations, the final verdict is in the hands of the embassy.
- They charge a nominal fee in addition to the usual charges applicable to every individual, regardless of age, whether adult, child, or minor.
Express or Priority Options
What lies hidden in your destiny cannot be protected. On the first movement, you might be planning for your visit to the office. In the next second, you might receive a call, and you will have to visit the Schengen area.
In situations where you need to visit the Schengen area immediately due to unforeseen circumstances, you cannot wait for your visa to be approved. For such situations, the European Union has a special express visa option.
Available Only for Certain Countries
Every country in the Schengen area does not issue express visas. Only a few of them used to do so.
- France
- Italy
- Germany
These countries offer express visas only under specific circumstances.
Processing Time for Express Visas
The processing time for your visa has been reduced to 2-5 days. The express visa facility does not allow you to enter the Schengen area without proper documentation. All required steps must be completed before entering any of the Schengen countries.
Additional Fees Apply
For an express visa to enter the Schengen area, you will need to pay additional charges, which range from AED 150 to AED 300.
Who Can Apply for – Express Visa
Anyone who has a medical emergency and requires attention related to the same can apply for a Schengen visa. Business individuals who have meetings scheduled immediately can also apply for a visa in the Schengen area. In the event of a family emergency, you can apply for and use the facility to obtain a Schengen visa immediately.
FAQ
How long does it typically take to get a Schengen visa after submitting your application?
Ans. The standard processing time required for obtaining a Schengen visa is approximately 2-3 weeks from the date of the appointment or application submission.
What are the different types of Schengen visas, and how does the type affect the processing time?
Ans. Generally, there are three types of visas in the Schengen area. First is a short-stay visa, well known as a Type C visa. The second is a transit visa in the Schengen area, well known as a Type A visa. Third is a long-stay visa, also called a Type D visa. Another type of visa is also available, known as an express visa.
Why is it recommended to apply for the Schengen visa well in advance?
Ans. It is advisable to book your Schengen visa in advance to avoid unforeseen circumstances that may arise on the date of your journey.
What is the role of third-party agencies in the Schengen visa application process, and what are their benefits?
Ans. The primary role of third-party agencies in obtaining a Schengen visa is to decrease the workload on the embassy personnel. Some of the basic benefits that come with third-party agencies are fast visa processing, accurate documentation, professional assistance, and decrease the burden on your shoulders.