Who needs a Schengen visa?

NAME: Axel Strauss
DATE: 04/09/2024

Are you planning an upcoming trip to Europe? Thinking about a once-in-a-lifetime dream European vacation? Hoping to work and/or study in one of Europe’s many corners? Just passing through? Or — like more and more people from all over the other six continents — maybe even thinking about making Europe your new home?

Whatever the case may be, there’s a good chance that to get to Europe, you’ll first need a Schengen visa. But fear not — because AXA can tell you for sure whether you do (and what that entails) below!

Schengen visa: the basics

First, a quick overview of why exactly you might need a Schengen visa in the first place. But heads-up — this stuff tends to get a bit complicated. So feel free to click around for more info both via AXA and the official sources (of which AXA also has plenty of links to as well). In the meantime, here’s “the why” of it in a nutshell.

How did the Schengen visa start?

It’s probably not very surprising that Europe today is the top tourist destination on the planet (with France consistently ranking as the planet’s most visited country, for example).

However, what may come as a surprise is the fact that — when it comes to how many countries total are actually on the continent of Europe — there’s no one definitive answer. The general consensus on the internet tends to average at around 50 nations. But that very much depends on who (and when) you ask.

What we do know is that many of the more famous of these roughly half a hundred European nations are united via various political and economic entities — such as the European Union, the Euro Zone, the European Economic Area, and the Schengen Zone (just to name a few).

The latter of these — i.e., the Schengen Zone (or Schengen Area) — was established as a result of what’s known as the Schengen Agreement — which was essentially a treaty designed to make travel easier for countless Europeans by abolishing border controls across a good chunk of Europe.

Since its inception back in 1995, the Schengen Zone has grown to include more and more countries, and thus been a steadily expanding part of the European continent. So much so that today, most of Europe can be divided into two distinct parts: Schengen countries and non-Schengen countries.

And while citizens of the Schengen area (as well as those of most of the European Union) can travel throughout the Schengen Zone visa-free, visitors from over a hundred nations — mostly those not within Europe itself — do require a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen zone.

Citizens of which countries need a Schengen visa?

Now that you have a general overview of what’s what, let’s get down to the brass tacks. According to Schengen regulations, if you’re a citizen of one (or more) of the 101 countries listed below, you will need a Schengen visa to travel to, through, and/or between any country within the Schengen Area:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaïdjan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belize
  • Bénin
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Cuba
  • DR of Congo
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial
  • Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Fiji
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haïti
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Népal
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Northern Marianas
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Qatar
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Swaziland
  • Syria
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vietnam
  • Yémen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

IMPORTANT NOTE: But remember, this list may vary slightly depending on the latest regulations and/or specific bilateral agreements between countries and the Schengen member states. In other words, it's always a good call to check the latest information with your country’s consulate or embassy — and that of your destination Schengen country — before planning your trip.

Do U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian citizens, residents, and/or green card holders need a Schengen visa?

Well, that depends, Because if you’re a citizen of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and/or Australia — then you do not need to apply for a Schengen visa (for stays of 90 days or less within any 180-day period, that is). And that’s because your home country is among the roughly 50 non-EU countries and territories that have signed visa exemption agreements with the EU (which also include Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Taiwan, and so on).

PRO-TIP 3: Just make sure your passport is valid for up to at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen.

However, U.S., U.K., Canada, and/or Australia resident permit holders (and/or green card holders) who hold a passport from a country not on the list above do need to apply for a Schengen Visa indeed.

PRO-TIP: AXA can tell you all about who else doesn’t need a Schengen visa as well.-

What type of Schengen visa do I need?

If you need to apply, you usually have four basic types of Schengen visa to choose from: business, work, student, and short-stay.

The most common one the world over is the short-stay (aka Type C, aka “tourist” visa) — as it allows you to travel to (and throughout) all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

For longer stays, you’ll want to opt for a national (aka Type D) visa. Meanwhile, if you’re planning more than one trip to Europe, you might need a multiple-entry visa.

And then there’s the Type A (aka “airport transit”) visa — which allows citizens of non-Schengen States to wait for a connecting flight and/or transit through Schengen airports (but more on that below too!).

PRO-TIP 2: AXA can tell you all about the types of Schengen visas (and which one will suit your European travel needs best) too.

What about ETIAS and EES?

And another important heads-up. The “European Information and Authorization System” — aka ETIAS — is the EU’s new, long-awaited, mostly digital system of requirements for entering Europe. ETIAS won’t necessarily replace the Schengen visa, but it was initially designed to make travel safer, faster, and easier for everyone involved.

According to the EU’s official website, ETIAS is set to go into effect in “mid-2025.” But for that to happen, the EU first needs to implement its “Entry/Exit System” — aka EES.

EES, in turn, is intended to replace traditional passport stamping. And as of mid-2024, the EU’s website states that EES will be implemented “starting in the second half of 2024.”

In short, we recommend you check back with the official source above (i.e., the EU) for the latest developments. And, like us, hope for the best.

Citizens of which countries need a Schengen Airport Transit (aka type A) visa

Meanwhile, a number of travelers transiting through the international zone of a Schengen airport (on their way to a non-Schengen destination, that is) may also require what’s known as an Airport Transit (aka type A) Schengen visa.

In other words, you might need an Airport Transit visa if you need to change flights within the Schengen Zone (and/or the EU) — even if you do not leave the international transit area of the airport. And as of late 2024, this applies to citizens of the following 12 countries*:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Congo (DR)
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka

According to the European Commission, requiring travelers to apply for an airport transit visa helps both ensure security and effectively manage immigration at Schengen airports.

*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.

PRO-TIP 3: And remember that Schengen visa regulations in general tend to change often. So we recommend you always check with the official sources (i.e., those of the European Commission, your home country, and your transit/destination countries) for the latest info before booking that layover too.

How to apply for a Schengen visa from abroad

If you do indeed need that Schengen visa — you’re in luck — because we here at AXA have gone ahead and done a bunch of the legwork for you already! And we’re therefore more than happy to help speed up your Schengen visa application process tenfold with the following lists (with corresponding links, and in alphabetical order!) of countries to apply both to and from.

How to apply to a specific Schengen country

First off, here’s how to get a visa for the majority of the individual Schengen countries themselves:

How to apply for a Schengen visa from India

Applying for a Schengen visa from India? We got you covered too:

How to apply for a Schengen from other specific countries

And here are a few other popular places AXA can help you apply from:

How can AXA help me get my Schengen visa?

We hope that the comprehensive lists (and relevant info) above leave you with a clear understanding of both where you stand when it comes to the Schengen visa and what steps to take next to realize your upcoming trip to Europe.

But perhaps the best way AXA can help you get your Schengen visa — not to mention explore any part of the Schengen Zone safely and worry-free — is by helping you with one of the first major steps in that journey. And that’s ensuring that you have proper, top-quality, affordable, and comprehensive Schengen travel insurance.

Because when it comes to Schengen visa requirements, having travel insurance is actually mandatory. Not only that, but — in order to be granted that Schengen visa — your insurance plan must adhere to a certain set of criteria. Fortunately, all three AXA plans (i.e., Low-Cost, Europe Travel, and Multi-Trip) meet those requirements (and then some).

Moreover, if your Schengen visa happens to be 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 (from the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center).

But also keep in mind that even if you don’t need that Schengen visa — travel insurance is never a bad call when going to a new place. Especially one as big and complex (albeit pleasant) as the Schengen Zone.

So learn more about and compare our 3 comprehensive plans to see how — with the right AXA plan — your trip to any of the 4 million+ square km of the Schengen Zone (both within Europe and beyond) is sure to be a smooth one!

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FAQ
 

Can I get a Schengen Visa online?

Not as of late 2024 (which means you still have to apply at an embassy, consulate, and/or visa application center). Although the European Union does plan to fully digitize the process at some point. And AXA can tell you more.

Can I work or study with a Schengen tourist visa?

No. While the tourist (or Type C) 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. AXA can tell you more about that too.

What should I do if my visa is refused?

You can either apply again or appeal. The EU’s Article 32(3) of the Visa Code of the Schengen Agreement can tell you more — but the outcome of your appeal will ultimately depend on the authorities of your destination country.

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AXA Schengen's Travel Insurances

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