Name : Bogdan Kamuta
Date : 02/10/2024
It’s no secret that travel to and throughout Europe is becoming more and more popular in recent years — with many people from all walks of life and all over the planet even choosing to make it their new home. But to get to Europe — be it for work, school, vacation, or even a new life — there’s a good chance you’ll need a Schengen visa first. And, unfortunately, not all Schengen visas are the same.
So to help make sure you choose the type of Schengen visa best suited for all your European travel needs, AXA has gone ahead and put together the simple and comprehensive guide below.
What is a Schengen visa (and do I need one)?
First, some quick historical background. Way back in 1985, five European nations signed what’s known as the Schengen Agreement (in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg — hence, the name), which was primarily aimed at making travel throughout Europe easier for millions of its citizens.
In the decades that followed, more and more European nations joined — so much so that, as a result, much of Europe today can be divided into two categories: Schengen countries and non-Schengen countries. And while nationals of the Schengen Zone and the European Union can travel to, from, and throughout all the Schengen member states visa-free, most travelers who are not citizens of the Schengen Area (and/or the EU) need a Schengen visa to enter and/or cross any of its many borders.
Fortunately, what makes the Schengen visa different from most traditional travel visas is that it allows you to travel to not one but all the Schengen Area countries (and between them) on a single permit. Meanwhile, whether you need a Schengen visa or not will mostly depend on where you’re coming to Europe from.
PRO-TIPS:
AXA can tell you all about who needs a Schengen visa and who doesn’t need a Schengen visa in no time.
And if you do need one, we can also help you apply for a Schengen visa — of any type, for any Schengen country, and from anywhere in the world!
And in the meantime, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of exactly what types of Schengen visa you have to choose from:
Short-stay visas for the Schengen (Types A and C)
So, again, the Schengen visa allows non-EU nationals to travel freely within the Schengen Area — covering most European countries — for short stays.
It is also commonly referred to as the Uniform Schengen Visa (aka USV) — and generally applies to stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The Uniform Schengen Visa includes the Type A visa (aka “Airport Transit” visa, or ATV) and the Type C (aka “short-stay” or “tourist”) visa.
NOTE: If you want to stay in the Schengen longer than 90 days, you’ll need to opt for a Type D (aka “long-stay” or national) visa from a specific Schengen country — but more on that below!.
In short, Type A is for travelers transiting through Schengen airports and Type C is for short visits (of up to 90 days) to the Schengen — such as for tourism or business (while for activities longer than 90 days — such as work, school, or residency — you’ll need Type D).
So, first, here’s a more detailed breakdown of the first two::
Schengen visa: Type A
The Type A Schengen visa (aka Airport Transit Visa or ATV) applies to many travelers transiting through the international zone of a Schengen airport — on their way to a non-Schengen destination, that is — without entering the Schengen Area.
In other words, an ATV is mandatory for millions of travelers who are changing flights in Schengen countries — even if they do not leave the international transit area of the airport. Because — according to the European Commission — this helps both ensure security and effectively manage immigration at Schengen airports.
Citizens of which countries need a Schengen Airport Transit visa
As of late 2024, citizens of the following 12 countries* are required to apply for Type A Schengen Airport Transit visa if they’re changing flights within the Schengen Zone:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Congo (DR)
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
*IMPORTANT NOTES:
-However, under certain conditions, some nationals of the countries listed above are exempt from a Type A visa. And to learn more, you should consult the European Union Visa Code (Article 3 – Paragraph 5).
-Meanwhile, some Schengen countries require citizens from certain countries not listed above to obtain a Transit Visa (VTA) when passing through the international transit area of airports located in their territory. And to find out if these conditions apply to you, we recommend checking directly with the authorities of the Schengen countries you will be transiting through.
- Moreover, if you have to leave the airport of a Schengen country for a connection at another airport (or train/bus station, etc.) and/or have a layover outside the international zone of the airport — you must apply for a Type C visa if your nationality requires one (even if it's for a short period of time)
Schengen visa: Type C
Now, the Type C (aka “short-stay” aka “tourist”) Schengen Visa is the most common type of visa for Europe the world over. And understandably so. Because the Type C Schengen visa ultimately allows travelers in its possession to visit and stay in one or all of the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
As such, it’s used for anything from brief European getaways to multi-country backpacking adventures and road trips to short business trips and visiting friends and relatives in the Schengen Zone.
Meanwhile, the Type C Schengen Visa is also sometimes divided into two key subcategories*, which are:
-Visa with Limited Territorial Validity (aka LTV), which restricts travel to specific Schengen countries — meaning the holder cannot move freely across the entire Schengen zone— and is usually granted for humanitarian reasons or in urgent cases.
-Visa Issued at the External Border, which is issued directly at border crossings for unforeseen, urgent reasons, typically valid for a very short stay, and applies only to the country issuing it.
*Neither of the above visas is very common at all. The former (LTV) is issued mainly in exceptional cases (like urgent humanitarian situations) or for those whose travel documents are not accepted by all Schengen countries. Whereas the latter (“external border”) — which is even rarer — is typically issued during emergencies (like unexpected medical needs) and is generally restricted to one or two countries within the Schengen zone.
And, finally, depending on your particular travel needs, the Type C Schengen visa can also be issued as single, double, or multiple-entry
Long-stay visa for the Schengen (Type D)
Meanwhile, if you’re planning to stay in a particular Schengen country for more than 90 days, you’ll have to opt for what’s known as the Type D (aka “long stay”, aka “national”) visa.
And this part is a bit tricky. Namely because — while issued by a Schengen country — a long-stay national visa (Type D) is not technically considered “a Schengen visa” in the traditional sense.
Instead, the Type D visa is issued by a single Schengen member state to individuals intending to stay longer than 90 days in that particular country — for purposes such as work, training programs, internships, school, family reunification, and so on.
However, while the visa primarily grants access to one particular Schengen country, it does also allow its holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period during their visa's validity — thus making it similar to the Type C visa. So while a Type D visa is not a "Schengen visa" per se, it does allow movement within the Schengen Area under certain conditions.
Business, work, and student Schengen Visas
Depending on the nature of your particular trip, your Schengen (and/or national) visa can also come in the form of business, work, or study. These subcategories are fairly self-explanatory and do not generally apply to the Schengen Type A (aka ATV “airport transit”) visa. However, they can be used for both short and long stays in the Schengen (i.e., either the Type C or Type D visas) — depending on your particular trip.
So if you’re not just vacationing in Europe but rather going on business or to work or study, AXA can also gladly tell you all you need to know below:
Single-Entry, Double-Entry, and Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas
And, finally, you also have three options in terms of how often you want to enter the Schengen Zone for your European trip. And here’s a breakdown of those three Schengen visa types*:
Single-Entry Visa:
Allows you to enter the Schengen Area only once. After you leave, the visa becomes invalid (and that’s even if its validity period hasn't expired).
Marked with a "1" on the visa sticker
PRO-TIP: AXA can tell you all about how to read your Schengen Visa Sticker and Number too.
Double-Entry Visa:
Grants two entries into the Schengen Area — meaning you can leave and re-enter once within the visa's validity period (perfect for a side trip to a Schengen-neighboring country, for example). After the second exit, the visa becomes void.
Marked with a "2" on the visa sticker.
Multiple-Entry Visa:
Allows unlimited entries and exits within the visa's validity period — so long as you respect the 90/180 rule (i.e., that your stay/travels do not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period).
Marked with "MULT" on the visa sticker.
PRO-TIPS: AXA can tell you more about the multiple-entry Schengen visa and Schengen visa first point of entry rules too!
*And keep in mind that while the single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visa rules primarily apply to Type C visas, Type D long-stay visas can also be issued as single-entry or multiple-entry — depending on the specific country’s national regulations and your particular situation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember that Schengen visa regulations in general tend to change often. That’s why it’s best to always double-check with the official sources — such as the European Commission website and those of your home country and your transit/destination Schengen countries — for the latest info before booking that layover or flight.
What documents do I need to apply for a Schengen Visa?
In terms of paperwork, to apply for any of the Schengen visa types above, applicants must generally provide the following:
- Your passport (issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after your planned date of exit from the Schengen area)
- Your residence permit and/or resident card (if applicable)
- A duly completed and signed Schengen visa application form (which AXA can also help you with)
- Two recent passport-sized photos (AXA can tell you all about the specific Schengen visa photo requirements too);
- Schengen Travel Insurance (IMPORTANT NOTE: Travel insurance is not only mandatory but must meet several criteria in order to be accepted with your visa application; fortunately, AXA’s does — but more on that below!)
- Your itinerary
- Proof of sufficient funds (if applicable)
- Proof of the purpose of the trip — such as a letter of invitation (if applicable)
- Proof of accommodation (if applicable)
- Proof of socio-economic and professional stability (if applicable)
PRO-TIPS: Also keep in mind that — depending on the nature of your trip and your particular visa — some additional documentation may also be required.
Fortunately, AXA can also tell you all you need to know about the specific Schengen visa requirements, and your Schengen visa validity (and even how to track your Schengen visa online after you apply).
When and should I apply for my Schengen visa?
You should submit your Schengen visa application — no matter where you’re going, and no matter which type of visa you choose — no earlier than 6 months and no later than 2 weeks before your trip.
And you should apply with the consulate, embassy, or accredited visa application center of your destination Schengen country.
How can AXA help with my Schengen visa type?
And now that you know your Schengen visa ABCs — and no matter which type of visa you choose — there’s actually one more big way that AXA can help. And that’s by ensuring that you have some first-class, top-quality, affordable Schengen travel insurance.
First off, because having the proper travel insurance is mandatory* for being granted any Schengen visa at all.
*PRO-TIP: And that’s before you start your actual application process, by the way.
Furthermore, to be granted your Schengen visa, your plan must adhere to a specific set of criteria. And, fortunately, all three AXA plans — Low-Cost, Europe Travel, and Multi-Trip — meet that criteria (and then some).
Moreover, if your Schengen visa is denied, AXA will refund you in most cases. We’ll only ask that you provide the appropriate documentation — that is an official explanation as to why your visa was refused.
Meanwhile, for those of you shooting for a Type D (aka “long-stay”), our “Low-Cost” and “Europe Travel” plans offer up to 180 days of consecutive coverage — which should grant you some breathing space as you apply. And that’s along with countless other benefits (no matter which plan you choose).
So, in short, whether you’re going to Europe to party, sight-see, work, visit family and/or friends, or even live — make sure you compare our three comprehensive plans
and get a free Schengen Travel Insurance quote.
Ultimately, with AXA, you not only have one less big Schengen Visa requirement to worry about —but you’re also guaranteed to be safe and secure throughout your entire Schengen journey.
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FAQ
What about the “Type B” Schengen Visa?
The Type B Schengen visa — once issued for transit through Schengen countries for less than five days — was phased out and eventually replaced by the Type C visa (but with a “transit condition”). So today, travelers who need to transit through a Schengen country for a short period — whether by road, rail, or air — also apply for a Type C visa, which covers both short stays and transit across the Schengen Area.
Can I get a Schengen Visa online?
Not as of late 2024. But AXA can tell you more about the EU’s plan to eventually bring the whole Schengen visa application process online too.
Can I work or study with a Schengen tourist visa?
No. While the tourist (aka “short-stay” or Type C) visa allows visitors to enter the Schengen for a short business trip, a holiday, and/or to visit family members, it cannot be converted into a work or study permit. And AXA can tell you more about applying for a work visa after working in the Schengen too.
