What are the Documents Needed for a Schengen Tourist Visa?

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa is an official document that is required by non-Europeans to visit one or more Schengen countries. There are several kinds of Schengen visas, allowing visitors to transit or stay in their area for varying durations. Upon receiving your Schengen visa, you are free to visit other member-states and cross their borders easily. These are briefly mentioned below:

• Type A Schengen Visa or Airport Transit Visa; required for non-Schengen state citizens to transit through one of their international airports
• Type C Schengen Visa or Short Stay Schengen Visa; applicable for visitors staying for less than 90 days within a 6 months period
• Type D Schengen Visa or long-stay Schengen visa; meant for longer stay exceeding 90 days and up to 1 year.

As of now, there are 26 countries that have abolished border control among themselves. Most of these countries adhere to the Schengen Agreement and consist of important European countries.
Who Needs a Schengen Tourist Visa?

Visitors from non-European nations, including third-world nationals are required to have a valid Schengen tourist visa if they want to visit Europe for sightseeing or leisure. This is valid for a stay of up to 90 days and within a period of 180 days.

However, not all non-European citizens are required to apply for this visa. If they're among the listed nationalities who have not reached the visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen nations, then they must apply for one. This includes visitors from India as well.

What’s more, they must apply for the C type Schengen visa under the 'tourist' specification only. If visiting for any other reason such as business or study, then they will need to apply for a visa under the correct specification.

Important Documents for Schengen Tourist Visa

You must provide the following documents while applying for a Tourist Schengen Visa:

• Properly completed visa application form; printed and signed
• Two recent photos taken not more than three months ago and complying with the criteria stated by Schengen states
• A valid passport not older than 10 years. It must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned stay and have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker
• A document stating dates of travel and flight details regarding your entry and exit in the Schengen area
• Valid Schengen travel insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000
• A valid proof of accommodation, including your hotel or hostel bookings or a rent agreement stating complete address, contacts etc.
• If traveling with a tour agency, a letter from the tour organiser is required
• Sufficient funds to show you can support your stay in Schengen, such as your bank account statement or a sponsorship letter, also called an Affidavit of Support
• Proof of employment status such as income tax returns, copy of the business license, etc.
• Proof of enrollment or a no objection letter from your institute if you're a student
• A detailed travel itinerary and description of your plans and places you wish to visit in Europe
• Minors need to provide their birth certificate/custody decree/proof of adoption if parents are separated or deceased
• Minors require a letter of consent from parents as well as passport copies of both their legal guardians

Where Can You Visit with a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen States consists of 26 countries that have agreed to operate without border control among themselves. These nations include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Finland, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Hungary, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Spain.

It's a common misconception that most European countries are a part of the Schengen Regions, but many popular European countries including the United Kingdom, Belarus, Romania, Ukraine, Ireland, Armenia, Montenegro etc aren't part of the agreement.

To Conclude,

While it is compulsory to buy Schengen travel insurance in order to get your Schengen tourist visa approved, you should treat it as a necessity. Make sure to opt for the right overseas travel insurance to keep you safe from any emergency during your trip.