How to Apply for a Schengen Visa – Do you have a desire to travel to Europe? If so, are you aware that for tourists wishing to explore Europe, there is a crucial document known as the Schengen visa, often referred to as the European visa? Let’s check out the further information below!
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What Is the Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is a required entry permit for short-term or temporary visits to the Schengen area in Europe. This visa enables you to explore 29 European countries that are bound by the Schengen Agreement.
In other words, simply by holding a Schengen visa, you can travel to 29 Schengen countries without the need to repeatedly apply for visas.
The validity period of a Schengen visa is 90 days for purposes such as tourism, family visits, or other types of visits, excluding work. Isn’t that great? Let’s get into details on how to apply for a Schengen visa below!
Categories of Schengen Visas
Before you apply for a Schengen visa, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with its various categories. Each category of visa has different regulations and conditions. Here are the different categories of Schengen visas that you need to know about!
1. Single Entry Visa
This category of Schengen visa is only valid for a single entry into the Schengen area. This means that if you exit any country within the Schengen area, the same Schengen visa cannot be used again.
2. Multiple Entry Visa
You can use this category of visa to visit both Schengen and non-Schengen countries. You have the flexibility to visit one country or multiple countries within a span of 180 days.
3. Airport Transit Visa
This visa permits its holder to transit through the international transit areas of airports located in the Schengen area during a layover or flight change. However, it does not allow the holder to leave these international transit zones of the airport.
List of European Countries Under a Schengen Visa
Before applying, you surely have to know the list of countries under a Schengen visa. Make sure that all destinations are included otherwise you still have to apply for a different visa for a valid entry. Here’s the list:
- Northern Europe: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden.
- Southern Europe: Croatia, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Slovenia.
- Eastern Europe: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
- Western Europe: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein.
- Southern Europe: Bulgaria, Romania.
After you have identified which European countries are included in the Schengen list, it’s now time for you to learn about the easiest way to apply for a Schengen visa!
Schengen Visa Requirements
Have you ever found yourself exhausted after a trip to the embassy, only to realize that your Schengen visa requirements are still incomplete? To avoid such situations, it’s crucial to be prepared.
Before we delve into the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, let’s first discuss the necessary documents you need to have ready:
- Passport: Prepare original passport documents & photocopies. A passport should be valid for at least a minimum of 6 months and should have a minimum of 2 blank pages.
- Signature on Passport: Put the passport with the signature according to the passport holder and ask for a stamp of approval from the immigration authority or Indonesian foreign representative office. Starting October 10, 2022, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg will refuse visa applications for Indonesian citizens (WNI) holding a passport without a signature column. Check out the complete info here.
- Photograph: Prepare 2 sheets of 3.5 x 4.5 cm passport photos with a white or light gray background. In general, there are facilities for making photographs at the embassy. However, it is better to prepare your photos from home to shorten the visa processing time.
- Schengen Visa Form: You can download the Schengen visa application form from the website of the embassy of the country that you want to apply for. After filling out the form, don’t forget to print the form and the barcode. If you want to apply for a Schengen visa through VFS Global (a licensed visa service), you can check out the form on the VFS Global website here.
- Letter of Statement & Itinerary: This is why it is important to know your travel itinerary in advance. The application for a Schengen visa must be accompanied by a statement that the information on your visa application is in accordance with the law. You also need to fill out a travel schedule sheet containing information on which countries you will visit and how many days your visit will last. Similar to the visa application form in the previous point, you can download this statement & travel schedule form on the official website of the embassy of the country you are going to visit.
- Proof of Flight Booking: Proof that you have booked flight tickets to the destination country is also a requirement to apply for a Schengen visa. You can book your flights easily on tiket.com.
- Proof of Hotel Booking: In addition to flight tickets, you must also attach proof of hotel or accommodation reservations in the destination country. See a wide range of hotel options and book on tiket.com.
- Schengen Visa Fees: Prepare cash of 90 euros* for adult visa applicants (over 12 years) and 45 euros* for children (6–11 years). The visa fee is free for children under 6 years old.
- Travel Insurance: There are various insurance companies in Indonesia that provide insurance packages for a Schengen visa. Later on, you should bring your insurance policy document during your trip to Europe, and it also must be printed.
- Proof of Financial Statement: Attach a bank statement as financial proof for at least the last 3 months. Don’t forget to attach proof of family relationship and a sponsorship letter if your parents, relatives, or company are financing your trip to Europe.
- Proof of Income: Attach a job statement letter for those of you who work and also a payslip for at least the last 3 months. If you are still in school or college, don’t forget to attach a letter of student statement from your school.
- Proof of Assets: You can also attach proof of assets or an ownership letter for the vehicle or residence that you own in your country.
Schengen Visa Fees
Here are the details on the latest 2024 Schengen visa costs:
- Adults (over 12 years): 90 euros
- Children (aged 6–12 years): 45 euros
- Free for children under 6 years old
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa
1. Submit an Application to the Embassy, TLS Contact, or VFS Global
You have the option to apply for a Schengen visa through the embassy, TLS Contact, or VFS Global. Visit the website of your destination country’s embassy and carefully study the conditions for obtaining a Schengen visa.
2. Make Your Europe Travel Itinerary
Are you wondering why do you have to prepare an itinerary when you want to travel to Europe? Basically, knowing the itinerary is very important to determine which country’s embassy to apply for your Schengen visa.
To simply put, when you want to visit 10 countries across the Schengen area, you actually just need to apply to one embassy. However, you have to make sure that country will be included in your itinerary. The selection of the Schengen visa issuing country is seen from:
- The main (most important) destination in your journey is that particular country;
- Or, that country is your first arrival destination;
- Or, you will spend the longest time in that country.
Make sure to choose this right so your visa can be issued smoothly.
3. Set Up a Schengen Visa Appointment
Make an appointment with the embassy or VFS Global to apply for your visa. If you want everything to be prepared in advance, you can also apply 6 months before your departure.
Later, the visa application will be submitted at least 15 days before departure.
4. Submit Your Visa Application
The next step is submitting your visa application! There are two ways to submit, firstly, you can submit your visa application yourself to the embassy directly. All documents will be checked and returned to you except for your passport.
Secondly, you can send the required documents to apply for a Schengen visa to the VFS Global without visiting the embassy of the country where your visa will be issued. Several countries have now delegated Schengen visa applications to VFS Global, which is a legal commercial company that has the authority to provide information about the requirements and processing of a Schengen visa.
To get a Schengen visa through VFS Global, you should schedule an appointment before submitting your files, fingerprints, and photos.
5. The Interview Process
After submitting your documents to the embassy, then you just have to wait for the embassy to invite you for an interview appointment as the next step to processing your visa application. If you submit the documents online, the interview appointment will also be done online.
The Schengen visa fee is paid to the visa issuer after you have done the interview. At this stage, you’ll be asked about your Europe trip plan so that’s why an itinerary is important for you to prepare beforehand.
6. Wait for Your Schengen Visa to be Issued
The last step is to wait for your Schengen visa to be issued! Just think positively that your visa application is successful so you can make your dream Europe trip come true!
If you are lucky, you can get information on whether your Schengen visa is rejected or accepted on the same day of application. However, even if you have to wait, you will get the news no later than 14 days after the application date.
Reasons for Schengen Visa Rejection & What Should Be Done
While we hope for a smooth visa approval process, there could be instances of rejection. Here are some potential reasons why your Schengen visa application might get rejected:
- Inadequate or inconsistent documentation.
- The lack of financial evidence to support your stay.
- Inadequate travel insurance coverage.
- Providing incorrect or misleading information.
If this happens to you, there’s no need to panic! You have the option to appeal against the decision or reapply with improved documentation and a stronger argument.
Before reapplying, it’s crucial to carefully review the reasons for rejection and address them appropriately.
Where to Apply for Schengen Visa?
After understanding the requirements, process, and Schengen visa fees, you are now ready to apply. So, where should you manage your Schengen visa? You must submit your visa applications at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you wish to visit.it.
If you plan to visit more than one Schengen country, you should apply for a visa at the embassy of the country where you will be spending the most time.
Here is a list of embassies in Indonesia where you can apply for a Schengen visa:
- Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Jakarta
- Embassy of France in Jakarta
- Italian Embassy in Jakarta
- Dutch Embassy in Jakarta
- Embassy of Spain in Jakarta
Tips for Getting a Schengen Visa Approved
Given that Schengen visa applications can potentially be rejected, here are some tips to increase your chances of getting your Schengen visa approved. Let’s delve into it!
1. Apply for a Visa Through the Country with the Longest Visit Duration
If you are planning to visit several Schengen countries, apply for a visa through the embassy of the country where you will be staying the longest.
2. Submit Your Visa Application At Least Three Months Before Departure
To avoid rejection due to time constraints, it’s recommended to apply for a visa at least three months prior to your departure date.
3. Prepare Adequate Financial Proof
One crucial requirement for applying for a Schengen visa is sufficient financial proof. Ensure that your savings account has a minimum balance of 450 euros.
4. Have Travel Insurance
Travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation (including in the event of death) is a mandatory requirement when applying for a Schengen visa.
Effective in 2025, Get Your ETIAS Form Ready for a Smoother Trip Across Europe!
T-mates, starting in 2025, there will be a new policy for entering Schengen countries if you’re a tourist from outside the EU. This new rule involves filling out a travel form called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System).
So, what’s ETIAS? It’s a travel authorization system designed to boost security within EU countries. But don’t worry; the application process is quick and entirely online, so no stress!
Since this will be a mandatory document, you’ll need to fill out a form with basic information like your name, nationality, and passport details. The ETIAS fee is €7 for adults, but it’s free for kids under 18 and elderly people over 70.
Once you submit the form, most applications get processed in just a few minutes! You can get this ETIAS document ready well ahead of your departure, making your travel plans smooth and hassle-free.
Complete Your Trip with This Visa & Travel Protection!
Apply for a Schengen Visa Hassle-Free!
It’s clearly not that complicated to apply for a Schengen visa, as long as your documents are correct and ready. So, make sure to prepare everything before submitting your visa application. Then, once your visa is issued, it’s time to explore Europe!
Don’t forget to complete your trip with visa & travel protection for extra peace of mind — click here!
If you don’t have a passport yet, read this complete guide on how to make an Indonesian passport. Hopefully, all of your plans will be going on smoothly, t-mates!
*Price and other policies are subject to change at any time.
