The Schengen Agreement was originally created in 1985. Europe consists 49 countries in total and out of that, 25 countries are the member of the Schengen Agreement. This agreement permits the travelers to travel through the 25 participating countries for 90 days without a visa on regular basis. If you want to know about how to get visa for Europe, then do get all the valid details of the overall procedure.

What is the Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa is a 90-day tourist visa for Schengen area countries. These Schengen countries have a border-free visa agreement that allows the travelers to move throughout the area without a passport. Travelers can get a visa for one country and move as freely as they want.

For non-Schengen citizens, they are allowed to enter into the Europe area for 90 days within 180 days. Citizens of most countries are allowed to enter the Schengen area without having a visa. Your passport simply gets stamped upon your arrival and departure from Europe. You are allowed to enter and leave from any country you want within 90 days.

However, not every traveler is allowed to enjoy such a freedom. Citizens from some other countries need to apply for a Schengen visa. All you need is to fill out paperwork beforehand and fly in and out of the Europe country.

Citizens of the United States with a valid tourist passport can travel within the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days without Schengen visa.

How to plan?

STEP 1: – Plan and book your trip before applying for a visa.

• You have to submit all necessary information about your trip before you apply for the visa.
• But before booking your trip, check the visa requirement information and ensure that you are able to meet all visa requirements.

STEP 2: – Keep all the necessary documents.

As you plan your trip, keep all the important documentation of your trip in your personal baggage. You have to submit that documentation as proof of your whereabouts.

STEP 3: – Check the length of your trip.

You are allowed in the Schengen area for up to 3 months with this visa. But avoid staying for more than 6 months. Make sure that your trip does not exceed this time period.

Taking the following initial steps:

STEP 1:- Find out if you need a Schengen Visa.

You can use an inquiry tool, such as:

• As you know, you won’t need a visa up to 3 months to enter in the Europe area but do have your passport always with you.
• You should check the passport requirements for the country, you are visiting.
• You should apply for a visa when your 90 days time period is over. But understand that how it works and what should you do for applying for a visa.
• You must apply for a visa on the government website.

STEP 2: – Decide where you want to visit in Europe

Firstly, plan out in which European country, you want to visit. Determine how long you will stay in each country. Research and read about each country’s specific visa requirements by visiting the respective official website. For more details, contact your travel agent.

STEP 2: – Check your passport’s validity and expiration date

Be sure that your passport has an expiration date i.e. at least three to six months after your anticipated return date. In some European countries, such as Denmark and Russia, it requires extended expiration dates for entry into the country, as well as for visa approval.

Applying for the Visa:

STEP 1: – Download the application.

The Schengen Visa application form remains same for every country.

• Firstly, you should download the form from the government website. For example, if you plan to apply in France, then you can download it from France government website.

STEP 2: – Fill the application form.

Fill the basic biographical information (first name, last name, date of birth, country of birth, and current nationality). For this, you also need your passport information such as the passport number, type of passport and the date when it was issued, etc.

• Next, do provide the information about your trip, such as how long you are going to stay in each country, what type of visa you are applying for, and the reason of your traveling.
• You must give details of where you are going to stay as well as information about how you are going to support yourself there.
• In the end, you must identify your spouse and children as well as family members that you are going to visit.
• Complete written applications in blue or black ink and be sure to sign all applicable areas.

STEP 3: – Gather your documents.

You must carrys all the documents like copy of your passport, a passport photo and proof of residency. You should carry documents about your trip like a copy of your flight schedule and proof of your health insurance. The documents that show why are you visiting in Europe and also verify your employment service.

• For a business trip: You need to get a letter as confirmation from your company that should state why you are visiting on business.
• For a fun trip: Give the information about your hotel reservations like your proper contact information.
• If you are visiting people: For that, you need a special form to verify that. In the Netherlands, such form is called the Proof of Private Accommodation and/or Sponsorship. They need a copy of your passport and residence permit.

STEP 4: – Schedule an appointment with the Immigration Services (USCIS) office.

• Enroll your all biometric information, as this information must be registered for a UK visa.
• Visit the USCIS website or the nearest office to you.

STEP 5: – Submit the application.

• Most countries want that you have to apply to their embassy or consulate person in your host country. Most of the time, you may need to make an appointment before visiting or you can also use the foreign country government website or your own country government website to find the consulate.

STEP 6: – Give your fingerprints.

• If you don’t have a Schengen visa, then log your fingerprints and provide the appropriate signatures at the consulate office.
• Inform the consulate if you have done this before.

 STEP 7: – Pay the fee.

The fee structure depends on both the countries i.e. the country to which you belong and the country for which you are applying. You can also call the consulate to find out the fee.

In the end, it is not impossible to stay longer in the Schengen area. All you have to do is to work on an overall procedure and apply for a visa. Now, you can legally stay in the Europe more than 90 days and enjoy without worrying about being barred for life.