Are you planning a vacation to the European Union or to countries in the EFTA? Well, that’s awesome! So, you are all set with the perfect travel plan, a perfect pair of camera lenses, shopping lists for the whole family, and flight itineraries. Now all you need is a Schengen Visa to get the ball rolling!

The origin of the word ‘Schengen’ is pretty delightful. Schengen is actually the name of a small town in Luxembourg. And the Visa is named so, because of an agreement that was signed near this town, on the Moselle River, aboard the ship Princess Marie-Astrid. The agreement stated that people and goods could legally cross borders of the 22 countries which formed the European Union (EU), without immigration or legal and governmental controls, such as a passport. The only countries that did not become a part of the Schengen region were the UK, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus. But then four other countries part of the EFTA region compensated with their inclusion into Schengen. These are Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. The outcome of this agreement was that EU suddenly became the largest free-travel region in the world, not requiring a passport at all!

A Schengen Visa is, therefore, a visa issued to residents and nationals of non-Schengen countries who wish to travel to EU or EFTA any of these 26 countries. This is a mandatory requirement.

Requirements for a Schengen Visa

Only a visitor with a valid Schengen visa can legally enter these 26 countries. So how does one go about acquiring it?

Well, the application process to get a Schengen visa is pretty straightforward.

1. Submit a completely filled and signed application form to the designated embassy or consulate. If your entire family is travelling, then each member should have his or her individual application form, including children. The form should be accompanied by 2 passport-sized photos, the original and photocopied valid national passport, proof of travel medical insurance, and proof of finance to see you through your trip.
2. Next, you need to show confirmed airline tickets to that destination.
3. Finally, you need to furnish your most recent bank account statement, and an application letter. The letter should explain in detail the purpose of your visit (such as tourism or invitation from family/friends, etc.) on a letterhead with full communication address.

Special Visa Requirements

There are some special visa requirements depending upon the nature of your travel.

1. If you are a first-time traveler, you will need to submit the following additional documents:
• Income Tax Returns of the previous 3 years
• Appointment letter from your company
• Reference letter from your employer
2. If the purpose of your trip is to visit relatives or friends, then he/she needs to send you a written invitation along with his/her name, residential address, and a copy of his/her passport.
3. If the purpose of your trip is purely for leisure, then you should be ready to furnish:
   • Proof of financial capacity
   • Detailed itinerary including hotel bookings and period of stay.

If you meet these visa pre-requisites, then the Schengen Visa is yours to enjoy! Happy Travelling!