What Is a Schengen Visa?

If you meet all the requirements for a Schengen Visa, a sticker will be put on one of the pages of your passport (or whatever other travel document you are using to get into one of the Schengen countries). Having this sticker doesn’t automatically mean you will be allowed into the Schengen Area. You must make sure that you still meet all the requirements for a Schengen Visa, because if you don’t, you might not be allowed into the Schengen Area even if you do have a Visa sticker in your passport.

What Types of Schengen Visas Are Available?

There are 3 main types of Schengen Visas. There is the Short Stay Schengen Visa, the Schengen Transit Visa and the Airport Transit Visa. Learn more about each of these below.

Short Stay Schengen Visa

This is the most common type. It allows you into the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Your 90-day period can be one long stay or many short stays, but you cannot stay for more than 90 days in any one period of 6 months. The 6 month period starts when you first enter the Schengen Area.

A Short Stay Visa can allow one entry into the Schengen Area, or multiple entries. Either way, the Visa can only stay valid for up to 5 years.

A Single Entry Visa lets you enter one time. You cannot enter and leave the Schengen Area as you wish if you have a Single Entry Visa. You will only be allowed in ONE time. Your Visa will be for 90 days or less.

A Multiple Entry Visa, on the other hand, allows you to leave and re-enter the Schengen Area. However, all of your stays can not add up to more than 90 days during the 6 months after you first enter the Schengen Area. This type of Visa can be valid for 6 months up to 5 years.

Schengen Transit Visa

This type of Visa allows you to travel through the Schengen Area if you are traveling from one place outside the Schengen Area to another (which is also outside of it). If you receive this type of Visa, it can be given for just one trip or many trips. You will only be allowed to stay in the Schengen Area long enough to travel through it if you are on this sort of Visa.

Airport Transit Visa

Some people need this type of Visa to be allowed to travel through international airports located in the Schengen Area, but they will not be allowed to actually enter any Schengen country. This means if you get an Airport Transit Visa, you will not be allowed to leave the airport. You will only be allowed to change planes at an airport in a Schengen country, not stay.