A Schengen visa is a temporary entrance permit that allows non-EU nationals to enter a Schengen country for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
There are three types of Schengen visas: multiple-entry, which permits several visits to the Schengen area during the validity of the visa, and single-entry, which only permits one admission into the Schengen area.
The third is an airport transit visa, which permits travel through an airport’s international transit region when making a stopover or switching to another flight within the Schengen area.
You are unable to exit the international transit area with it.
Who is eligible to submit a apply for Schengen visa?
The European Commission states that when entering the Schengen area, citizens of some non-EU nations need to have a valid short-stay visa.
Kenya is one of the nations where travellers require a visa in order to enter other countries.
In addition, there are plenty of other nations such as Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Gabon.
Third-world nations whose citizens are not required to have a visa in order to enter other countries include
Antigua and Barbuda, Japan, Israel, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Albania.
Diplomats, members of the armed forces, refugees, and students traveling on school trips are among the groups of people for whom the visa requirements are waived.
When connecting through the international transit regions at airports situated in any of the Schengen States, certain non-EU nationals are furthermore required to possess an airport transit visa.
When connecting through the international transit sections of airports located in some of the Schengen countries, citizens of certain additional countries are required to have an airport transit visa.
Where to apply a Schengen Visa
You apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the nation you plan to visit.
Apply at the consulate of the Schengen nation you plan to visit for the longest if you are traveling to many of them.
If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries (for stays of similar duration), submit an application at the consulate of the first nation you plan to visit.
In general, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility in the nation where you are legally residing.
An application must be submitted to the consulate no sooner than six months before to the anticipated trip, but no less than fifteen days prior.
Prior to applying, you might need to schedule an appointment.
To apply, one must have a current passport. The date of departure from the Schengen area shall be at least three months following the passport’s expiration date.
Multiple-entry visas should expire at least three months after leaving the last country visited.
A completed visa application form, an ICAO-compliant photo, and health insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation (including in the event of death) are additional requirements.
Additional documentation includes proof of your plan to return home after your visit, proof of your financial stability and accommodations during your stay, and supporting documents pertaining to the reason for your visit.
Upon submission of your application, fingerprints will be collected.
Visa applications typically take 15 days to process, but if further paperwork or a more comprehensive examination of the application is needed, the processing period may be extended to 45 days.
Family members of EU or EEA residents covered by the Free Movement Directive may be eligible for a free and expedited visa application process under certain conditions.
If your application is denied, you will receive information on why and how to file an appeal.
