Different Types of Schengen Travel Visas Explained

Schengen Area which unites 27 European states is among the most favorite travel zones in the world because of its advantage of easy movement across the borders Whether you’re planning a leisurely European tour, a short business trip, or a long-term stay for education or family reunification, understanding the different types of travel visa to Schengen is essential. Whatever the purpose of your travel may be, it is important to know the various categories of travel visa to Schengen. There are visas of different purposes and time frames of stay and applying under the right category gives you a much better chance of success.

It is also important to consider the Schengen travel visa that is easiest to obtain before applying, especially when you are a first-time traveler. There are countries with a simpler and more flexible application procedure, depending on your nationality and the reason of your visit. This blog will take you through the number of visa types are there in the Schengen, describe each of them in detail and assist you in selecting the best suitable option to meet your travel requirements.

How Many Visa Types Are There in the Schengen?

• Three Schengen visas are primarily distinguished depending on the reason and duration of your stay:
• Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) -A, B, C.
• Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV)
• Type D – National Visa
• These categories of travel visa to Schengen are quite a number and so, lets discuss them in detail to enable you make a decision on which one is best in your case.

1. Uniform Schengen Visa (USV)

The most issued visa is the Uniform Schengen Visa from oman  which enables you to travel in the entire Schengen Area within a 90 days period within a span of 180 days. It has three subcategories:

A. Type A -Airport Transit Visa

This visa is needed by passengers transiting in an airport located in the Schengen country, but staying in the international transit section and not going out to the Schengen area. It is best if you have a layover in Schengen airports on your way to a non-Schengen destination.

Who requires it?

Citizens of some countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria usually require this visa even when they are not intending to enter into the Schengen territory.

B. Type B – Transit Visa (Not used anymore)

This category was previously utilized in land transit via the Schengen countries within five days, however it is mostly redundant and in practice has been fused with the short-stay visa.

C. Type C -Short-Stay Visa

• It is the commonest visa among the tourists, business travelers and individuals traveling to attend family events. It allows up to 90 days stay within every 180 days.
• Short-Stay C Visas can be of the following types:
• Single-entry – You are allowed to enter the Schengen Area one time.
• Double-entry -Permits two entries within the validity of the visa.
• Multiple-entry- It is allowed for frequent travelers to enter and leave more than once during the visa validity period.
• Speaking of the Schengen visa that is the easiest to obtain, the short-stay tourist visa (Type C) issued by such countries as Spain or Greece is said to be approved more often, particularly when it comes to those applicants who have all the necessary documents.

2. Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV)

With this visa, you can travel only in the Schengen country or countries stated in the visa. It is normally granted in unusual cases like on humanitarian reasons, medical reasons or when you do not qualify to get a Uniform Schengen Visa.

You Need To Know:

• You are not free to move in all Schengen states.
• It needs certain explanation and does not involve tourism.

3. National Visa (Type D)

The National Visa is a long-stay visa applied by people who plan to stay in one of the Schengen states over 90 days. It is normally granted to study, work or family reunification.

National Visa D may be of the following types:

• Student Visa -To the people taking academic courses of over 90 days.
• Employment Visa -Professionals who have been offered a job in the Schengen countries.
• Family Reunion Visa -To join spouses, parents, or children who are residing legally in any of the Schengen states.
• Medical Visa -To get long-term treatment in a Schengen state.
• The requirements of this visa are defined by each Schengen country and it can incorporate residence permit after the arrival.

Which Schengen visa is easiest to get

• Many applicants often ask, “Which Schengen visa is easiest to get? Although this may differ depending on your country of origin, the reason of visit and your documents, here are a few things I learned:
• The approval rates of the tourist visas (Type C) of Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland are usually increased.

Spain and Greece are as well lenient to first time applicants.

• The consulates in the countries where a smaller number of applications are submitted are more flexible and process the visas quicker.
• Nevertheless, the simplest visa is also based on the connection of the applicant to the homeland, past travel experience, and economic strength.

Schengen Visa Time Validity & Stay

Understanding how long you can stay is just as important as knowing the types of travel visa to Schengen:

• Type A Visa: It is valid during the stay in the transit area.
• Type C Visa: Allows a stay of 90 days within 180 days.
• Type D Visa: This type of visa is valid between 91 days to a year and it can be renewed in country.
• The consequences of overstaying a visa may include fines, entry Prohibition or future visa denial.

FAQs

Q1: How many visa types are there in the Schengen?

Three prominent types include Uniform Schengen Visa (A, B, C), Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV) and National Visa (Type D). They are used differently depending on your travelling objectives.

Q2: What is the easiest Schengen visa to obtain?

The Tourist Visa (Type C) of the countries such as Lithuania, Estonia, Spain, or Greece can be deemed as simpler, in particular, for the first-time applicants with solid documentation.

Q3: Will a Type C visa enable me to visit all Schengen countries?

Yes, a Uniform Schengen Visa (Type C) does give you the facility to travel within all the 27 Schengen countries provided it is not mentioned otherwise.

Q4: Can a Schengen tourist visa be changed into a long-stay visa?

No. A short-stay visa can not be transformed into a long-stay visa or residence permit. You will have to go back to your country of origin and apply to the concerned embassy to get a Type D visa.

Q5: What will be the consequence of overstaying a Schengen visa?

Overstaying may result in fines, entry bans, as well as trouble in subsequent visa applications. Never violate the visa validity.

Q6: As a first-time traveler, will I be allowed to apply as a multiple-entry visa?

This can be done, however, in most cases, first-time travelers receive single- or double-entry visas. The multiple-entry visas are usually provided to individuals who have travelled to Schengen countries in the past with compliance records.

Most Popular International Visas for Omanis

Denmark visa | Egypt visa | Ethiopia Visa | France visa | Germany visa | Greece visa | Hong  Kong Visa | Hungary visa | India visa | Indonesia Visa | Ireland visa | Italy Visa | Japan visa | Jordan visa | Kazakhstan visa | Kenya visa | Kuwait Visa | Madagascar visa | Malaysia visa | Malta Visa

How to Apply visa for other countries

Albania Visa | Argentina Visa | Australia Visa | Austria Visa | Azerbaijan visa | Bahamas Visa | Bahrain visa | Bangladesh visa | Bosnia Visa | Brazil Visa | Brunei Visa | Cambodia visa | Cameroon visa | Canada Visa | Chile visa | China Visa | Colombia Visa | Croatia Visa | Cyprus visa | Czech republic visa

Recommended Read: Complete Visa Information for Schengen Travellers

• Essential Documentation for a Schengen Tourist Visa from Oman Application