Schengen Visitor Visa – Traveling to Europe for the Purpose of Visiting Family Members, Friends or Relatives

What Is the Difference Between a Visitor Visa and a Tourist Visa?

The difference between a Schengen visitor visa and a Schengen tourist visa lies in the purpose of the visit. While a tourist visa is for leisure or tourism, a visitor visa is specifically for visiting family members or close friends residing in the Schengen Area.

A visitor visa typically requires an invitation letter from the person being visited, whereas a tourist visa does not have this requirement.

How Do I Apply for a Visitor Visa to the Schengen Area?

To apply for a Schengen visitor visa, follow these steps:

1. Check if you need a visa.
2. Determine if you qualify for a Visitor visa.
3. Find out where to submit your application.
4. Complete and download the visa application form.
5. Schedule your Visitor visa appointment.
6. Prepare the required documents.
7. Attend the visa interview.
8. Wait for the visa to process.
9. Collect your passport.

Check if You Need to Apply for a Schengen Visitor Visa

If your nationality is on the list of countries whose nationals need a Schengen short-stay visa, you must apply for a Schengen visitor visa to visit family or friends in the Schengen Area. Nationals from other countries can enter Europe visa-free for a maximum of 90 days.

Use the Visitor Schengen Visa Checker to determine if you need to apply for a visitor visa before travelling to the Schengen zone to visit family or friends.

Visitor Schengen Visa Checker

I am a citizen of:

I am travelling to:

I am travelling from:

Have you ever been denied entry into the Schengen Area?

Do you hold a valid residence permit of ?

Determine if You Qualify for a Visitor Visa

Your trip to the EU/Schengen Area must be primarily for visiting family or friends to qualify for a Schengen visitor visa.

Common scenarios where you may be eligible for a short-stay visitor visa include:

• Visiting Family: Planning to visit relatives, such as parents, spouse, siblings, or cousins, residing in the Schengen Area.
• Visiting Friends: Intending to visit close friends who are residents of Schengen countries.

Remember that the primary purpose of your trip must be to visit family or friends, and you should not engage in any activities involving business, work, or seeking employment during your stay in the Schengen Area.

Find Out Where to Submit Your Application

You can file your Schengen visitor visa application at one of the following:

• An embassy or consulate of the main destination country.
• A designated visa centre authorized by the embassy of your destination country to handle visa submissions.
• The embassy or consulate of another Schengen state to which your destination country has delegated the responsibility for visa submissions.

You can use our Visitor Schengen Visa Checker to find out where to submit your visa application, or read the following article for more details!

Selecting the Main Destination and the Appropriate Consulate/VAC for Your Visa Application

Complete & Download the Visa Application Form

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility for a Visitor short-stay visa to Europe and determined where to submit your application, you should complete the visa application form.

You have two options for this: you can either download the standard Schengen visa application form, fill in all the required information, print it out, and sign it, or you can visit the official websites of the Schengen member countries and fill it out directly online through their systems.

For example, if you’re applying for a Visitor visa for Germany, you can complete the visa application on the official Videx website of the Auswärtiges Amt.

How to Fill the Schengen Visa Application Form

Schedule Your Visitor Visa Appointment

After determining where to apply for the Visitor Schengen visa and filling out the visa application form, the next step is to schedule an appointment.

Usually, you can do this online through the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre’s website. Keep in mind that certain embassies may only accept appointments made through their official website.

Available slots depend on the EU/Schengen embassy/consulate and the time of year. Based on our experience, we strongly suggest that you inquire about appointments at least three weeks before you plan to travel.

Our Schengen visa checker not only determines whether you require a visitor visa, but it also assists you in identifying the correct consulate/VAC for application and booking a visitor visa appointment.

When Is the Best Time to Book the Schengen Visitor Visa Appointment?

• The earliest you can file a Visitor Schengen visa application is six months before you start your planned trip.
• The latest you can file a Visitor Schengen visa application is at most 15 working days before you intend to travel.
• The recommended time to file a Visitor Schengen visa application is at least three weeks before your trip.

Prepare the Required Documents for a Visitor Visa

To apply for a Schengen visa for visiting family, friends, or relatives in Europe, you’ll need to gather the following documents:

• • Visa application form. Fully completed and signed.
  • A valid passport. Not older than 10 years, and it should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area. Older passports with visas on them (if you have any).
  • Two recently taken photos must be attached. These photos must have been taken within the last three months, as per the visa photo requirements. You can obtain Schengen visa-compliant photos online at MyBiometricPhotos.com
  • A round-trip reservation or itinerary must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schengen area.
  • Travel insurance policy. This is a document confirming that you have health coverage for your entire visit to the Schengen territory.

  Get free quotes and compare top-rated Schengen insurance plans from trusted providers. Ensure a hassle-free Schengen visitor visa application process by selecting the right insurance plan that meets all the requirements outlined in Regulation (EU) 2009/810 of the European Parliament.

  • Bank account statement—This shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement must be no older than three months.
  • Sponsorship Letter—by the inviting person confirming they will be financially supporting your trip to Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
  • A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship.
  • Employment contract.
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.
  • Leave permission from the employer.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
  • A copy of your business license.
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR).
  • Proof of enrollment.
  • No objection letter from the School or University.
  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
  • A confirmation of Employment letter, no older than three months, from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company and the starting date.
  • Spouse’s valid passport.
  • An official marriage certificate.

  Please note that official visa authorities hold the right to ask for any additional documents.

  Attend the Visa Interview

  Although some Schengen countries and authorized visa centres might offer the option to fill out the application online, you still have to submit your Schengen visitor visa application in person because you also have to provide your biometric information (photo and fingerprints). So, on the day of your scheduled appointment, show up on time and bring all the required documents.

  What Are Some Common Schengen Visitor Visa Interview Questions?

  During a visa interview for a Schengen visitor visa, the consulate or embassy may ask a variety of questions to assess your eligibility and intentions.

  Here are some possible questions:

  1. What is the purpose of your visit to Europe, and how long do you plan to stay?
  2. Can you provide details about your relationship with the family member, friend, or relative you intend to visit in Europe?
  3. What is their name, address, and contact information in the Schengen Area?
  4. What is their occupation?
  5. Are they a citizen of a Schengen country or do they hold a residence permit?
  6. Do you have other close relatives living in the Schengen Area?
  7. Have you received an invitation from your family member, friend, or relative in Europe? Can you provide documentation of this invitation, such as an invitation letter or affidavit of support?
  8. Where will you be staying during your visit? Can you provide details of your accommodation arrangements, such as hotel reservations or the address of your host’s residence?
  9. Proof of your host’s residency status: If your host isn’t a citizen of the Schengen country, they may need to provide a copy of their residency permit or similar documentation.
  10. Have you previously visited your family member, friend, or relative in Europe or any other Schengen countries? If yes, please provide details of those trips.
  11. Are there any specific activities or events you plan to participate in during your visit to Europe? Can you provide documentation regarding these plans, such as event tickets or invitations?
  12. What ties do you have to your home country that demonstrate your intention to return after your visit? This could include employment, property ownership, or familial responsibilities.

  The interview typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Please make sure your responses are clear and accurate and align with the information provided in your application form and other documents.

  Here are some articles that could assist you in preparing for a successful Schengen Visitor visa interview.