If you love exploring beautiful destinations, countries from the European Union should be on your travel list. They are scenic, boast impressive infrastructure, and have something to offer to people with varying interests. While you normally have to apply for individual visas to visit a particular country, things are slightly different for countries in the Schengen zone.

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For the uninitiated, a Schengen zone includes 26 countries that have unanimously agreed to follow the same visa policy for international travellers. So instead of applying for individual tourist visas in all 26 countries, you can consider applying for a Schengen visa and enjoy travel permission to all these countries. If you want to quickly learn more about this visa, read until the end.

What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa allows non-European citizens to travel to one or more of the beautiful Schengen countries on a single visa. The visa lets you explore the Schengen zone for up to 90 days and is valid for up to 180 days after approval. Once the visa is approved, you can travel to any one (or more) of the 26 countries in the Schengen zone. Travellers prefer to apply for a Schengen visa because it allows them to travel to multiple countries on a single visa.
If you want a Schengen visa, ensure you get good Schengen travel insurance first because travel insurance is mandatory to avail of a Schengen visa. Since only one stamp is needed to travel to Schengen countries, the time spent on bureaucratic processes gets significantly saved. The entire process saves time and money that you could have spent acquiring visas from other countries separately.

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List of Countries You Can Travel to with Schengen Visa
A total of 26 countries accept Schengen visas, out of which 4 are Non-European countries. Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein are primarily members of EFTA, but they accept travellers on Schengen visas. The complete list of 26 countries that accept Schengen visa is as follows:

Steps to Apply for a Schengen Visa
If you have finalised which countries you want to visit, you can proceed with filling out the Schengen visa application form. You can follow the below-mentioned step-by-step list to apply for a Schengen visa.
● Visit the Schengen Embassy website and download the visa application form. According to the standard rules, you can also visit a consulate with territorial competence for the country wherein you legally reside.
● Fill out the application form, sign it, and submit it to the concerned consulate.
● Ensure all the required documents are attached to the visa application form before submitting it to the visa centre.
● Now schedule a visa processing appointment and attend the interview for visa approval.

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Important Note: If you are planning to visit just one country in the Schengen zone, apply for a visa to that country’s consulate/embassy. But if you plan to travel to more countries, submit the application form at the centre of the country where you intend to stay the maximum. If you are travelling to multiple countries with almost similar travel duration, apply to the consulate/embassy of the particular country where you plan to be travelling first.

Documents Required for a Schengen Visa
You have to attach multiple relevant documents with the visa application form to increase its chances of getting approved. Some must-have documents you need for a Schengen visa are listed below.
● If travelling to multiple Schengen countries, flight tickets for all countries (both to and from) are required
● Proof of accommodation
● Duly filled and signed visa application form
● Complete travel itinerary
● Proof of income and the last 3 months’ bank statement
● The latest passport valid for a minimum 3 months’ from the scheduled date of travel
● Travel insurance featuring medical coverage of up to € 30,000
● 2 recent passport-size photographs
● Invitation from the host with supporting documents
● Proof of status (employed/student/self-employed).

Self-employed people must submit a copy of their business license, Income Tax return, and the company’s last six-month bank statement. Employed individuals must submit their leave permission, employment contract, and Income Tax returns to authenticate their current status. If you are a student, you must submit a NOC from your university or college.

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Is Travel Insurance Needed for Schengen Visa Application?
Yes, you will need travel insurance to get a Schengen visa. The visa rules require travellers to have international travel insurance featuring medical coverage of up to € 30,000. So if you don’t already have international insurance that covers you beyond India, it is time to get one. Having international travel insurance has multiple benefits.

Although it is needed to get the visa approved, it also helps the covered individuals in events like a medical emergency at a travel destination, losses arising from a missing passport, a change in travel date, baggage theft, and missed flights. Other situations are explicitly covered under travel insurance.

How Long is the Visa Valid After Approval?
A Schengen visa remains valid for a maximum of 90 days after approval. You can use it at any time up to 180 (maximum) days post-visa approval. If you plan to travel to multiple Schengen countries, provide the details in the ‘multiple entry’ gaps in the visa application form.
It will make it significantly easier for you to enter and leave any Schengen country (the one’s you’ve mentioned in the form) as you please. Since visa approval takes time, it is recommended to file the visa application form at least a month before the scheduled travel date.

Read more about – Universal Travel Pass

Travel More on One Visa
If you are a travel buff and have plans to explore the European continent, you must apply for a Schengen visa instead of applying for individual tourist visas for each country in the Schengen zone. Follow the information shared in this article, and you will know exactly how to proceed with getting this visa. It will make travelling much easier and hassle-free for you and your fellow travellers.

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