Everything you Need to Know about Applying and Getting a Schengen Visa. Most common Question Asked about Schengen Visa for 3rd World Passport, Here are the Answers!

A lot of people, most especially those who are holding a 3rd World Passport, still ask tonnes of questions about Schengen visa. We already wrote an article on how to apply for a Schengen visa but we thought of collating the frequently asked questions about it. This is so you can easily understand the nitty-gritties and possibly ace your visa application – the best possible way.

Everything you Need to Know about Applying and Getting a Schengen Visa. Most common Question Asked about Schengen Visa for 3rd World Passport, Here are the Answers!

Schengen visa, as you may have known, is a document issued by the authority to an applicant who wishes to travel to and within the Schengen Area.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ON SCHENGEN VISA

1. WHAT ARE THE COUNTRIES THAT ARE PART OF SCHENGEN REGION?

The following are the countries that are part of the Schengen region.

  • 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

  • Liechtenstein

2. WHAT ARE THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES NOT PART OF SCHENGEN REGION?

The following are the European Countries that are NOT part of the Schengen region.

  • The United Kingdom

  • Romania

  • Bulgaria

  • Croatia

  • Cyprus

  • Ireland

3. WHAT ARE THE COUNTRIES NOT PART OF EU BUT YOU CAN ENTER WITH YOUR SCHENGEN VISA?

Here is a list of countries NOT part of EU but allows Schengen visa.

  • Norway

  • Iceland

  • Switzerland

  • Lichtenstein

4. DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A SCHENGEN VISA?

More often than not, if you are living outside of the Schengen region, you are mandated to get a visa. Listed below are the countries where the nationals should acquire a Schengen visa.

  • Afghanistan

  • Algeria

  • Angola

  • Armenia

  • Azerbaijan

  • Bahrain

  • Bangladesh

  • Belarus

  • Belize

  • Benin

  • Bhutan

  • Bolivia

  • Botswana

  • Burkina Faso

  • Burma/Myanmar

  • Burundi

  • Cambodia

  • Cameroon

  • Cape Verde

  • Central African Republic

  • Chad

  • China

  • Comoros

  • Congo

  • Cote D’ivoire

  • Cuba

  • Dem. Rep. Of Congo

  • Djibouti

  • Dominican Republic

  • Ecuador

  • Egypt

  • Equatorial Guinea

  • Eritrea

  • Ethiopia

  • Fiji

  • Gabon

  • Gambia

  • Georgia

  • Ghana

  • Guinea

  • Guinea-Bissau

  • Guyana

  • Haiti

  • India

  • Indonesia

  • Iran

  • Iraq

  • Jamaica

  • Jordan

  • Kazakhstan

  • Kenya

  • Kuwait

  • Kyrgyzstan

  • Laos

  • Lebanon

  • Lesotho

  • Liberia

  • Libya

  • Madagascar

  • Malawi

  • Maldives

  • Mali

  • Marshall Islands

  • Mauritania

  • Micronesia

  • Mongolia

  • Morocco

  • Mozambique

  • Namibia

  • Nauru

  • Nepal

  • Niger

  • Nigeria

  • North Korea

  • Northern Mariana’s

  • Oman

  • Pakistan

  • Palau

  • Papua New Guinea

  • Philippines

  • Qatar

  • Russia

  • Rwanda

  • Samoa

  • Sao Tome And Principe

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Senegal

  • Sierra Leone

  • Somalia

  • South Africa

  • Sri Lanka

  • Sudan

  • Suriname

  • Swaziland

  • Syria

  • Tajikistan

  • Tanzania

  • Thailand

  • Timor-Leste

  • Togo

  • Tonga

  • Tunisia

  • Turkey

  • Turkmenistan

  • Uganda

  • Ukraine

  • Uzbekistan

  • Vanuatu

  • Vietnam

  • Yemen

  • Zambia

  • Zimbabwe

  • Kosova

5. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PROCESS THE SCHENGEN VISA?

It takes 14 – 21 days to process the visa for some countries.

6. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET THE SCHENGEN VISA?

Below are the documents required in order to process Schengen visa application.

7. WILL THE EMBASSY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS ASIDE FROM THE MANDATED ONES?

Yes. The additional requirements will depend on the type of visa that you are applying for.

8. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SCHENGEN VISA?

  • Uniform Schengen visa – The most common visa granted that allows you to stay for a period of 90 days, every 6 – month period.

  • Limited territorial validity – Valid only for specific Schengen areas stipulated in the visa

  • National visa – This is applicable for applicants who will study, work or stay for a long period of time in one of the Schengen countries

9. WHERE TO APPLY FOR YOUR SCHENGEN VISA?

The answer is the Schengen country you will first enter or the country where you will be spending most of the time.

10. WHAT’S THE VALIDITY OF SCHENGEN VISA?

The most common Schengen visa issued for the travellers is for a period of 90 days in every 6 – month period starting from the date of entry.

11. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD YOU HAVE ON YOUR BANK ACCOUNT FOR YOUR SCHENGEN VISA?

Everything you Need to Know about Applying and Getting a Schengen Visa. Most common Question Asked about Schengen Visa for 3rd World Passport, Here are the Answers!

Let’s be clear first. When you are applying for a Schengen visa, it is important that you can prove that you are financially capable of covering your entire trip. You can show your bank statements, credit card, travellers cheques etc. Or if someone is going to sponsor you, you need to have the proper documents such as guarantee letters. Hence, it is important to do your research first on the average cost of lifestyle per day in the country where you are going to visit. Multiple it by the number of days you will stay and more or less that’s the amount you need to prepare.

I’ll list down the Schengen countries frequently visited and the corresponding cost you need to present.

  • Belgium

€95/ day if one will stay in a hotel

€45/ day if will be accommodated by cheaper means

  • France

€120/ day if no proof of prepaid hotel accommodation

€65/ day if there is prepaid accommodation

€33/ day if will be accommodated by cheaper means

  • Germany

€45/ day

  • Greece

€50/ day

  • Italy

€269/ 5 days

  • Netherlands

€35/ day

  • Norway

€53/ day

  • Portugal

€40/ day

  • Spain

€65/ day for stays exceeding 10 days

  • Switzerland

€92/ day

12. HOW MUCH IS THE COST OF SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION?

Note that the cost of Schengen visa application is non – refundable. Below are the current rates.

  • Airport Transit Visa – €60

  • Short Stay Schengen Visa – €60

  • Long Stay Schengen Visa – €90

13. WHAT TRAVEL INSURANCE TO USE FOR THE SCHENGEN VISA?

We shared an article on the Best Travel Insurance for Filipinos for Schengen Visa. The same travel insurance is recommended for other 3rd – world passport holders as this is comprehensive, tailored fit for travel needs, and the rates are competitive as well. This is your perfect choice regardless if you are a short-term or a long-term traveler.

They would cover the following:

  • Travel Delay – when you miss your flights and when the airlines won’t cover you!

  • Baggage & Personal effects – when the airlines lost your luggage and they are not willing to pay for it!

  • Overseas Medical and Dental coverage – yes, even your dental needs

  • Personal and Travel Documents

  • Personal Liability – Physical injury and property damage and much more

14. DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR SCHENGEN VISA IF YOU HAVE VALID UK OR USA VISA?

If you are holding the UK or a US visa, you still need to apply for a Schengen visa separately.

15. CAN YOU APPLY FOR SCHENGEN VISA IN THE UK IF YOU’RE ON A TOURIST VISA?

The answer is No but there are exemptions for very important and emergency situation.

16. DO I NEED TO HAVE A CONFIRMED PLANE TICKET BEFORE I APPLY FOR A SCHENGEN VISA

What is only required is your itinerary during your travel. You can present a booking/ reservation but a ticketed one isn’t necessary. Read my full article about Rent a Flight Ticket that will only cost you $30

17. CAN I ASK FOR AN EXTENSION FOR A SCHENGEN VISA?

Yes, you may ask for an extension for a Schengen visa. However, these are for exceptional cases. For example, you need to extend due to medical reasons. Bear in mind that one has to go and apply in the appropriate office.

18. WHAT IF THERE IS NO EMBASSY OF THE SCHENGEN VISA COUNTRY YOU NEED THE VISA TO BE ISSUED FROM IN YOUR HOMELAND?

In some 3rd – world countries where there are no embassies of the specific Schengen region, chances are, there are consulates that can represent the country where you can still apply for the visa.

19. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE REASONS THAT YOUR VISA APPLICATION WILL BE REFUSED?

Below are the possible reasons why you will get denied of a Schengen visa.

  • Questionable Character or Criminal Records

  • Forged Documents

  • Damaged/Invalid Passports

  • Failure to Explain the Purpose of Travel

  • No Travel Itinerary

  • Invalid Letter of Reference

  • Lack of Means of Subsistence

  • Invalid Travel Insurance

20. WHAT TO DO IF YOUR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION GOT REFUSED?

Don’t lose hope if you get denied a Schengen visa because there is a way to turn around the decision. Have you ever heard of Remonstrance for Schengen visa? You can see more information from the link. Upon visa refusal, you will receive a letter stating why you got denied. Depending on the reason stated, the applicant should be able to send back a letter and additional documents that will further prove the claim.

Everything you Need to Know about Applying and Getting a Schengen Visa. Most common Question Asked about Schengen Visa for 3rd World Passport, Here are the Answers!

Do you have more questions that you would like us to answer? Please comment below.

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