Schengen zone

Why is it called Schengen?
“Schengen” owes its name to a village in Luxembourg where the historic Schengen Agreement was signed.

What is the Schengen Agreement?
The Schengen Agreement signed on June 14, 1985 is a treaty which led most European countries towards the abolition of their national borders, to build a Europe without borders known as the “Schengen Area”. Signed in Luxembourg, initially by just five EU countries, the agreement remains one of the largest agreements in the world ending border control between member countries.

The Schengen area was created in 1995 following the signing of the Schengen Agreement 10 years earlier between five member states of the European Economic Community: Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands .

Romania and Bulgaria will enter the Schengen area on March 31, 2024.  What will change for travelers?

Travelers without European citizenship are advised to remember that stays in Bulgaria and Romania are taken into account in the time spent in the Schengen zone, which cannot exceed 90 days out of 180 days.

The Schengen area refers to an area in which 27 European countries have abolished their internal borders for the free movement of people, in harmony with common rules for the control of external borders and the fight against crime by strengthening the common judicial system and the police cooperation.

The Schengen area covers most EU countries, with the exception of Ireland, and the countries that will soon be part of the Schengen area: Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus. Although not members of the EU, countries like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also part of the Schengen area.

The 27 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal. Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. All these countries are located in Europe.

What documents are needed to apply for a Schengen student visa?

The documents required to apply for a Schengen student visa are as follows:

• Two visa application forms, fully completed, with correct and honest answers. Print it and sign the form at the end.
• Two identical photos, taken within the last three months in accordance with Schengen visa photo requirements.
• Valid passport, issued within the last 10 years with a validity of at least 3 months after the end of the planned trip.
• A copy of the passport biometric data:
• Previous passports: Tied together with an elastic band. Don’t staple them!
• Proof of Residence: A type of document issued by the country you are applying from as proof that you are a citizen or resident of that country.
• Reservation or return itinerary: Specify the dates and numbers of flights entering and leaving the Schengen area.

Here you can learn more about how to book a flight for an EU visa application.

• Travel medical insurance: A document issued by your European health insurance, certifying that you have insurance throughout Schengen territory, for the entire duration of your stay, with coverage of €30,000 for emergency situations. health emergency.
• Proof of accommodation: Proof of where you will be staying during your stay in the Schengen area.

This could be any of the following:

• Dormitory Contract: Signed between you and a dormitory manager in the country where you will be staying.
• Rental Agreement: A contract with a property owner in this Schengen State, specifying the address and other information about the property and the owner.
• Letter of Invitation: A letter written by a resident of the country you are seeking entry to, confirming that they are willing to welcome you into their home for the duration of your stay.
• Acceptance letter to an EU university/college/school: A recent, official, signed letter specifying your name/type of study/duration of study/participation in an EU program if applicable/number of hours per week.
  Proof of academic qualifications: Diploma, academic file, request for certificate of equivalence or decision/sending of equivalence.
  Proof of financial means: Documents proving that the person is able to reside and support themselves financially during their stay in the Schengen area.
  This could be any of the following:
  * Sock exchange: Original certificate of an official subsidy of at least €631/month.
  * Bank account statement: Displaying your bank balance for the last three months.
  * Sponsorship

* Proof of payment of visa fees

Additional documents required for minors:

• An extract from the minor’s birth certificate.
• An identity document bearing the parents’ signature (one document for each parent).
• A declaration of consent from both parents, specifying that the minor can travel.
• If applicable a court decision specifying to which parent parental responsibility has been assigned with regard to the minor.
• If applicablea declaration from the minor’s school consenting to his or her absence.

Proof of occupation:

If employed:

• Employment contract
• Authorization to leave the employer
• Income tax return
  If self-employed:
• A copy of your commercial license,
• Company bank statement for the last 6 months
• Income tax return (RTI)
  If a student:
• Proof of registration
• Letter of no objection from the university

Schengen Student Visa – Traveling to Europe for Study Purposes
A Schengen student visa is an entry permit into the Schengen area, granted to third-country nationals wishing to enter and stay for short stays in one of the Member States, for the purpose of studying there.

This visa allows its holder to stay in Schengen territory for a maximum period of 3 months. If your studies or training last longer, you must apply for a long-stay study visa from the embassy of the country concerned.

Only third-country nationals who have not signed a visa waiver agreement with Schengen member states need a Schengen student visa.
How to apply for a Schengen student visa?
To successfully submit your Schengen student visa application, follow these steps:

1. Check if you need a Schengen student visa.
2. Determine where you should apply.
3. Determine the best time to submit your visa application.
4. Complete the short stay visa application form.
5. Gather the required documents for a Schengen student visa.
6. Make an appointment.
7. Attend the interview.
8. Pay the student visa fees.
9. Wait for a response.

When to apply for a Schengen student visa?

According to Schengen rules, the time period during which you can submit an application for a Schengen student visa is as follows:

At the earliest: 3 months before your trip to Schengen.
At the latest: 15 days before your trip.

However, it is strongly recommended to apply approximately 4 weeks before your departure date, as this will give the embassy enough time to process your visa.