Schengen Visa Itinerary

A Schengen visa, also known as a Europe visa, allows eligible individuals to travel freely within the 26 participating Schengen Area countries. This means Europe travelers will not be subject to border checks at internal Schengen borders.

Border checks remain in place for travelers crossing external borders, however. These are the borders between Schengen and non-Schengen states.

The following individuals are eligible for unrestricted travel in the Schengen Area:

•           Schengen-country citizens

•           Holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

•           EU/EEA citizens

•           Non-EU individuals from eligible countries who are not required to obtain a Schengen visa for travel of 90 days or less

•           Non-EU individuals with a valid Schengen visa

Additional facts to keep in mind:

•           While you may not need a Europe visa, you will need a valid passport to enter any and all Schengen countries.

•           If you reside in a non-EU country, you will be required to obtain a stamp on your passport no matter what country you are entering. If you don’t have the stamps in your passport when you try to leave the Schengen Area, you may be required to prove how long you’ve been in Europe.

History of the Schengen Area

If you’re not at all familiar with the Schengen Area (or the Schengen Zone, as it’s sometimes called), here’s what you need to know:

In 1985, five European Union (EU) countries pledged to eliminate internal border controls. Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement, and the Schengen Area was born.

Five years later, these countries signed again to officially implement the agreement, and in 1995 border controls between the nations were effectively abolished.

Named after the village in Luxembourg where its borders meet those of Germany and France, the Schengen Agreement cemented the rights of Schengen-country nationals and EU citizens to travel freely within the participating area countries.

Today, 26 Schengen countries (Schengen states) make up the Schengen Area, which sees about 1.25 billion visits each year from Europeans alone.

If you’ve ever wondered if there were any tips for buying the best travel insurance for USA from India, you wouldn’t be the first one to do so. Travel insurance is a boon if you are constantly traveling to the USA or anywhere else for that matter. One of the best travel insurance tips is to try purchasing travel insurance right before your departure to places that cover a medical insurance, free medical stays if necessary and an emergency flight service to get you back home whenever needed. Don’t think about how long or short your trip or the distance is. Think about how safe you can be if you invest a little in travel insurance. So, having travel insurance for USA from India or any international trip is always advisable.

An important thing to know is that medical expenses are costlier in other countries than in India. To exemplify, if you have a major finger cut and need to get it stitched, it might hardly cost you 3000/- rupees in India but if you bill it in USA, it will cost you nearly 40-50 times more. So, make sure to have your medical insurance also with you along with travel insurance for USA from India in order to save yourself from a burning pocket. Make it a part of your travel insurance when you book economy or business class flights for your next trip.

Tips on When and Why to Buy Travel Insurance for USA from India:

•           Burglary! The risk of burglary is something everyone is afraid of whenever we leave our homes alone. So, make sure to have a travel insurance handy in case of theft as that might cover your expenses and you can also use it in case of luggage thefts during your trips.

•           Imagine you have prepaid a huge amount of money and you need to cancel your trip! Cancellation insurance pops up right when you need it if you have it.

•           Supplemental insurance covers up for you on your renter’s policy while you are away vacationing. This is again a great advantage you have when you purchase travel insurance for USA from India.

•           Road trips are very much fun but you can make them secured too if you have a liability insurance. If you are renting a car then the rental agencies provide you with such insurances that provide cover in case of damage to the vehicles or people.

•           Apart from all these, why wouldn’t you want to own travel insurance for USA from India when you can get the chance of availing so much from it?

For more information, please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/

Having a passport is the first step to feeling like the world is your oyster and you can just pack up and go anywhere, but that’s not the case for those of us who hold a weak passport. Want to go on an adventure or maybe run away for a peaceful getaway abroad? First you need to go through a ton of documents, appointments, and maybe changing your travel dates a couple of times. If you’re lucky enough and you’ve got Europe as the destination in mind, you get a multi-entry Schengen visa longer than your trip. Those who manage to get a Schengen visa for one year or longer win the lottery, but they’re not leaving it up to fate anymore.

The EU has defined the rules for getting a five-year multiple-entry visa to the Schengen area, and they’re somewhat promising! Only this month, they started implementing a new visa code with a bit of a higher price and a more flexible period in which you could apply before your trip. Other than that, they’ve rolled out a clear and easy guide on how to get a five-year visa and not go through the long process with every trip, and it all depends on your travel history. If you do it right, you get a multi-entry visa that allows you to go in and out of the Schengen area as many times as you want, as long as you don’t violate the 90/180 rule — not staying longer than 90 days in the Schengen area within 180 days.

Here are the rules for getting a multiple-entry visa with a validity of one, two, and five years — unless the validity of the visa would exceed that of the travel document:

1.         For a one-year visa, the applicant should have obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years.

2.         For a two-year visa, the applicant should have obtained and lawfully used a previous one -year multiple-entry visa within the previous two years.

3.         For a five-year visa, the applicant should have obtained and lawfully used a previous two-year multiple-entry visa within the previous three years.

So, the trick is: got a visa? Use the hell out of it as long as you can, get stamps, and don’t violate it. Simple as that. Aside from your clean travel history, there are also a couple of other requirements.

1.         The traveler must have a reason to enter the Schengen area multiple times. (Is being a regular tourist a reason good enough? We still don’t have the answer to that.)

2.         The traveler must have a clean visa history, no violations of visas.

3.         The traveler must have a clean criminal record at home.

4.         The travel must present traveler’s insurance for the first trip.

Seems fair enough. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Travelling to Europe has never been much easier. Since the inception of the Schengen VISA, it is easily possible for one to travel between several countries in Europe on a single VISA. Schengen VISA covers a total of 26 countries which includes the 22 EU countries and the other four are then non-EU countries.

The Schengen tourist visa can allow you to travel to these European countries without any hassle. Schengen Visa allows traveling between the countries of Austria, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands in a single trip rather than obtaining a visa for each country separately. Also, getting a Schengen Visa can widen your travel horizons and help you to explore all of the Europe without having much to do with your VISA process.

Obtaining a Schengen Visa is not that hard. You must know few basic things that are required to apply. Due to increase in the travel and tourism services, there are a number of Schengen visa consultants which you can go for. They help you to get through the process of getting a Schengen visa easily. Also, there are a number of websites you can refer on, to apply for the visa.

Before applying for the visa, itself, you must need to apply for travel insurance for Schengen visa. Also, it is advisable to know what type of Schengen visa you are applying for. Generally, a tourist Schengen tourist visa is a Category C visa which allows you to stay in the Schengen visa area for up to 3 months in a half-year period from the time of your first entry.

You need to present your travel insurance for Schengen Visa before actually applying for the visa. The travel insurance is mainly to cover the costs of repatriation and medical emergencies during your travel period in Schengen countries. The coverage for the insurance must be at least 30,000 EUR and also valid for all the Schengen states. Once, you obtain the travel insurance, you need to present it before the officials at the time of applying for a visa. If in case, your visa is rejected /refused, you can ask the Embassy or Consulate to provide you with a document regarding the refusal of visa in order to cancel the insurance and get your money back.

Now let’s take a look at how to apply for a Schengen Visa. You need to meet certain requirements in order to apply for the visa. Here is a list of documents required for Schengen Visa.

1) You need to have a valid passport with at least 2 blank pages left for the stamp purposes. Also, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of you leaving the Schengen area.

2) You need to have at least one passport photo while filing the application.

3) You need to have all the travel details about your trip, including the flight and hotel details, insurance proof, and the documents covering your intention to visit the place.

4) You need to present your current employment status and details of your bank statement from last 3 months.

Once you have collected all the documents that are required for the visa process, you need to go online and fill up the application form for the VISA. Now there are certain points which you need to keep in your mind before applying for the visa.

1) If you intend to visit a single Schengen country, then you must apply for the visa at the appropriate embassy/consulate of that particular country.

2) If you intend to visit two or more Schengen countries, then it is highly recommended to apply at the embassy/consulate of the country which you will be residing at for the most number of days in your trip. This destination is also known as your main destination.

3) If you intend to visit more than one country for the same period of time, then you must apply at the embassy/consulate of the country you will be visiting first as per your itinerary.

Once you have finalized the destinations and collected your travel documents, you should go on the online portals provided by the consulates and fill the application form correctly. You will need to pay a minimum fee of 35 EUR for the Schengen visa application. After you file your application, the VISA is generally processed in 10-15 working days. You might have to go and visit the embassy/consulate for the fingerprint scanning if you are a first time Schengen applicant.

If you have all the documents that are required and proper Schengen information, then you will get the VISA within 10-12 working days after filing of your application.

Thus, it is very important to know what a Schengen VISA is and the countries covered under the same. Also, it is always advisable to go for a Schengen Visa consultant if you do not have a clear idea about the visa services and rules regarding Schengen countries.

Schengen Visa Itinerary has been a part of more than one million travel dreams. We offer a superior, quick and hassle-free Schengen Visa Facilitation service. With a highly professional and dedicated team of Travel visa Experts, we are here to cater to all your Schengen Visa application requirements

Throughout your visa process, you will have a dedicated Visa Expert handling your application.

Here are the steps to apply for a Schengen Visa through Akbar Travels:

Step 1: Provide your travel details to our Visa Expert and get all your queries answered.

Step 2: Pay the visa fee and upload your documents online through our secured online document locker to ensure its confidentiality.

Step 3: Our Visa Expert will verify the documents, complete your visa application and schedule your appointment.

Step 4: On the appointment day visit the Visa Application Center (VAC) to submit your Biometrics (fingerprinting & photograph) and documents.

Step 5: Receive your Visa.

Basic Requirements to visit Schengen

•           Have a valid Passport and valid Schengen Visa;

•           Be in good health;

•           Good moral character;

•           Be able to convince the immigration officer that you have your family, property, assets, etc. that would serve as an incentive to come back to your home country;

•           Be able to convince the immigration officer that you will leave the country before your Schengen visa expires;

•           Have sufficient funds to support yourself and the amount depends on how long you will stay in the Schengen area and whether you will be staying with family, friends or any paid accommodation.

Travel Checklist

•           Passport;

•           Valid Schengen Visa;

•           Confirmed return Ticket;

•           Contact details of your relative, friends or business contact in the Schengen country;

•           Confirmed hotel bookings (If Any);

•           Schengen country Currency and other forms of forex;

•           An unlocked smartphone, preferable with a Sim card from India;

•           Any additional documents required to prove your purpose of visit (especially if you are travelling on a business Visa).

What to do when you arrive in the Schengen country

•           Keep your Declaration form in hand (provided to you on the flight);

•           Keep all travel documents (passport, valid Schengen Visa, return ticket, hotel bookings etc.) ready in case the immigration officer asks to produce any document.

•           If you are an unaccompanied minor, make sure you stay with the flight attendant who is in charge of your safety. Additionally, you must recognize the adult picking you up at the airport. If you have any doubts, you must inform the airline staff immediately…

Schengen country travel guide

A Schengen Visa is best described as a single point Visa Access document for entering all the Twenty-Six Schengen Countries. This visa is issued by the designated visa offices to the applicant/visitor for visiting/travelling to and within the Schengen Area.

Indians are now travelling more than ever. Europe is undoubtedly the first choice for many from India. Ask any avid traveler from India, they would have a bucket list filled with places to see in Europe. If you see by the data, the number of people travelling to Europe from India has doubled since 2014. So how do you travel to Europe? Of course, Indian passport holders are required to obtain Visas from the respective embassies. But there’s a convenient setup among 26 European countries who form the Schengen area of Europe. It is enough for Indian Passport holders to obtain a Schengen Visa to visit all these nations.

Basics about the Schengen area

According to a border agreement named Schengen Area Agreement, 26 European countries allow EU citizens to travel freely within the area. And for Non-EU citizens, with proper Schengen Visa, they are allowed to travel freely within the Schengen area for a limited period of 90 days within six months of issue of the Visa. Non-EU citizens with a Schengen Visa can have multiple entries up to the 90 days period out of the 180 days Visa period.

With proper documentation, you can obtain Schengen Visa from India from the embassy of the country which is your entry point to the Europe trip. Alternatively, you can obtain Schengen Visa from India from the embassy of the country where you will spend the maximum days of your Europe trip. Make sure to choose the right type of Visa as per your purpose of travel.

From the magical streets of France to the stunning landscapes of Switzerland, there’s so much magic within the list of Schengen countries. Here’s the list of 26 countries under Schengen Area.

Trivia: Schengen is the name of a village in Luxembourg bordering with both France and Germany. As the historic agreement was first signed at the village, the agreement was named after the village.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa in India?

•           As mentioned in the basics about the Schengen area, you will have to choose a country in the Schengen area to apply for a Schengen area.

•           According to the rules, if you are visiting one country alone, you will have to apply to that particular country’s embassy. If you are visiting more than one country, choose either the first country you enter or the country you are going to spend the most days in.

•           After you have chosen a Schengen country to apply, visit Embassy World Wide to find a list of embassies and consulates of the respective country in India. So, make sure you choose the right embassy/consulate/VAC of the country and double-check if you fall under the jurisdiction of it.

•           Next step is to visit the website of the embassy/consulate you have chosen and download the Visa application form.

•           Next, you will have to submit the filled Visa application form to the chosen embassy/consulate/VAC.

•           Check with the website to know where visa submission takes place, as the visa submission process regulations differ with each country. It can be its embassy, consulate or outsourced visa center acting as visa submission point.

First of all, it is essential to choose the type of Schengen Visa based on your purpose of travel. Make a note that there are different limitations that apply to a particular Visa type. Let me break down the types of Schengen Visas available for your travel from India to Europe.

1. Uniform Schengen Visas (USV)

This Visa obtained from one of the Schengen countries can be used to travel any Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within 6 months of visa issue. This visa can be obtained in the form of a single entry, double-entry or multiple-entry as per the purpose of travel. Single-entry allows the visa holder to enter the Schengen area only once, while the double-entry visa holder can enter the Schengen area twice within 6 months of issue. Multiple-entry visa allows the visa holder to enter and exit the Schengen area multiple times as long as he adheres to the 90/180 rule. The multiple-entry visa can be applied for 1-year, 3-year or 5-year period with the necessary documentation. But even with longer visa durations, you have to follow the 90/ 180 rule (i.e.) one cannot stay for more than 90 days within 180 days of the visa period.

Note: the number of entries is how many times you can enter the Schengen area as a whole and does not denote the number of countries you are allowed to enter.

2. Limited territorial validity visas (LTV)

This visa allows the holder to visit only the country which has issued the visa or countries which are specifically mentioned in the visa. The visa holder cannot enter the countries in the Schengen area that are not mentioned prior in the visa. This type of visa bars the holder from entering any Schengen state and is a special type of visa issued for peculiar cases.

3. National Visas

This visa is given to students or professionals willing to study or work residing in one of the Schengen countries. This visa is issued in the form of both single-entry and multiple-entry. With multiple-entry National visa, one can enter and exit the particular Schengen country as he/she pleases and also can travel within the Schengen area freely. But this visa is only given to people meeting certain criteria and purpose of travel.

Quick tip: Though the number of entries and time permitted are stamped in the visa, it’s the best to have a clear calculation of how many days you spend in the Schengen area. Because a violation of 90/180 rule leads to deportation and fine, depending on the country you are in.

Based on the purpose of travel, types of visas are divided as follows, make sure you mention clearly the type of visa you need in the application form,

1.         Transit visa: this visa is for people who need to travel through the Schengen country airport without entering the country.

2.         Tourism visa: this visa is for people who travel to the Schengen countries for exploring the place and culture, and spending a holiday there.

3.         Visa for Visiting Family or Friends: this visa is for people who are travelling to Schengen countries to visit their family or friends who legally reside there. You will need a letter of invitation and some additional documents for this type of visa.

4.         Business visa: this visa is for people who travel for business purposes. It has a benefit as even during peak seasons business visas get quicker visa appointments.

5.         Visa for Culture and Sports activities or Film crews: This visa is for people who travel to participate in any form of cultural or sports events in the Schengen countries. People belonging to a film crew who has planned a shoot in the Schengen countries can also avail this type of visa.

6.         Visa for Official Visits: This visa is for people who are travelling on fulfilling an official duty from his country.

7.         Study visa: This visa is for students who are willing to take up educational courses in Schengen countries.

8.         Visa for Medical Reasons: This visa is for people visiting any of the Schengen visa countries for medical treatment.

Introduction

A flight booking and travel itinerary are key documentary requirements for a Schengen visa. In this article, we discuss the relevance of these documents in an application for a Schengen visa. Depending on the purpose of your visit, your visa may be refused if you fail to submit either of these documents.

What is a Travel Itinerary?

An itinerary is simply a document that details your travel plans. It usually provides details of hotel bookings, flight arrangements, and daily activities or schedules for the duration of your stay. An itinerary is only required for journeys undertaken for tourism or private purposes. It must usually specify the places you intend to visit by way of schedule of activities.

Article 14(1)(a) of the Visa Code states an applicant for a Schengen visa shall present documents indicating the purpose of the journey. Further, Annex II(A) (3) (b) of the Code states that for journeys undertaken for tourism or personal reasons, the applicant must submit documentation relating to their itinerary.

The Visa Code describes itinerary to include “confirmation of the booking of an organized trip or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans.”

Bookings on organized trip or tour guides and tickets for entry into tourist sites could be submitted as evidence of itinerary.

A key requirement of an itinerary is that it must be plausible. The schedule of activities must be arranged in a manner as to make your plans credible. For example, it may be more reasonable to visit tourist sites that are in close proximity to one another on a particular day, rather than a disjointed schedule of visits that are miles apart from each another and lacks coherence. If your itinerary is implausible or disjointed, this may raise doubts about the credibility of the purpose of your visit and may cause your visa to be refused.

Another requirement is that the duration of the itinerary must be consistent with your travel dates. Specifically, it must be consistent with the travel dates as shown on the visa application form, flight booking, hotel reservation, and travel medical insurance. If your itinerary shows discrepancies with travel dates shown on other documentation, your visa may be refused.

What is a Flight Booking?

A flight booking is a document that shows that you have booked a place on an airline to travel at a future date. It specifies your departure and return dates, and any connecting flights, if applicable. You must submit a flight booking regardless of the purpose of the visit. You can make a flight reservation either by yourself or through an agent.

Article 14(d) of the Visa Code states that an applicant shall present information enabling an assessment of their intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa. And Annex II B (1) of the Visa Code lists “reservation of or return or round ticket” as one of the documentations that may be submitted in proof of intention to return. A flight booking is, therefore, a key documentary requirement for a Schengen visa. You must consider this information when making a flight reservation either by yourself or through an agent:

• The document must specify your name;

• It must clearly show your arrival and departure dates and times;

• It must show the flight name and a valid reservation number;

• It must show details of any connecting flights;

• It is must show a return reservation. A one-way reservation will not meet the requirement.

• Your travel dates must be consistent with the dates on your visa application form or other supporting document. If there are discrepancies, this may lead to a refusal;

• Do not buy a ticket unless the Embassy specifically requests you to do so.

Conclusion

A Schengen visa is generally a documentary application. However, it is not sufficient to provide documentation merely because they are required. Keeping these details in mind may save you time and unnecessary expense that may result from a refusal.