If you plan to travel to European countries that implement Schengen agreement, a Schengen Visa simplifies your travel between those countries.



With Schengen Visa you can travel between Schengen coutries like travelling inter-state in USA. So all internal air, road and train travel are handled as domestic trips between those countries.

What is Schengen?

If you are curious about what "Schengen" is, Schengen is a wine-growing village in south-eastern Luxembourg near the point where the borders of Germany, France and Luxembourg meet together.

Which Countries Can I Travel With Schengen Visa?

At present, there are 15 Schengen countries in Europe. The 15 Schengen countries are;

1. Austria

2. Belgium

3. Denmark

4. Finland

5. France

6. Germany

7. Iceland

8. Italy

9. Greece

10. Luxembourg

11. Netherlands

12. Norway

13. Portugal

14. Spain and

15. Sweden.

All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members.

What are the Benefits Of Schengen Visa?

Before Schengen people from some countries were required to have separate visas for every country in Europe they wished to visit. A vast network of border posts existed around the continent which disrupted traffic and trade, causing delays and costs to both businesses and visitors.

With the Schengen Agreement, border posts have been closed between participating countries. Road traffic is no longer delayed; road, rail and air passengers no longer have their identity checked when crossing borders.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa?

People from Non-EU(European Union), Non-EEA(European Economic Area) countries who wish to visit Europe as tourists, and who require a visa to enter the Schengen area, are simply required to get a common Schengen Visa from the Embassy/Consulate of

the Schengen country they intend to visit first.

First determine which Schengen country you are planning to visit. Then to get your visa, you have to submit required documents to the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting in the Schengen area. If you plan to visit more than one country in the Schengen area, the visa will be issued by the country through which you enter the Schengen area.

After this, they may visit any or all of the Schengen countries as tourists or for business without hindrance. They are not required to get separate visas for all the (Schengen) European countries they wish to visit.

Required Documents

Following are some of the required documents when submitting your application. Check with the embassay or consulate for more detail.

Your Schengen visa form

You must use the standard document supplied by an embassy or consulate and submit the required number of copies.

Passport

A passport, valid for at least three months longer than the requested visa.

Some other useful documents

1) Have some documents that describe your purpose of visit.

2) Proof for your means of existence (finacial proof) for the duration of your stay

3) Proof of Stay. (Hotel Reservation etc)

4) In some cases proof of medical insurance.

Important Information.

Eventhough you can travel with one visa between Schengen countries, it is always safe to carry your passport and any other identification with you. Some countries like Sweden and Finland still maintain customs control at their borders. Non-EU members Norway and Iceland are not a part of the EU customs union and therefore enforce the same level of custom control towards any traveller regardless of whether they come from within the Schengen area or not.

For more information visit Mark Robert's Blog at http://schengenvisas.blogspot.com