How to apply for a Schengen country visa

When applying for a Schengen visa, you must first clarify the embassy of the country where the applicant will send the visa, prepare the required materials, and understand the relevant precautions in advance, and make reasonable time arrangements according to the applicant's needs to ensure a smooth process. Visa application to avoid losses caused by unexpected situations during the application process.

1. What is the Schengen application process? (1) Selection of the embassy of the country where the visa is sent: Select the Schengen country to be visited in the itinerary. Under normal circumstances, the country where the visa needs to be sent is the country where you will stay the most during the itinerary. long-standing Schengen countries. If the length of stay in multiple Schengen countries is the same, the Schengen country that enters first will take precedence. (2) Required materials: Different countries have different consular divisions and different material requirements. The general materials are (passport). 2 copies of all visa records (2-inch photos) must be provided (visa application form) for the country of application. You can download the round-trip air ticket reservation form from the consulate website and make a reservation through the air ticket agent or website. Explain the purpose to the customer service. Under normal circumstances, the other party will issue a reservation certificate or email without payment in advance. (Visa insurance) The insurance amount is 30,000 euros or more than 300,000 yuan, and it must cover the entire trip. (Certificate of traveling abroad) A certificate issued by the work unit including the applicant’s name, position, salary, time spent traveling abroad, etc., stamped with the official seal. A copy of the unit's business license or organization code with official seal. (Personal financial guarantee) Salary, unfrozen deposit certificate, or real estate certificate, vehicle purchase, etc., original and translated copies. (Proof of identity) Household register, ID card, original, copy, translation. (Certificate of residence and reception in Schengen countries) varies from country to country. Generally, it is a hotel reservation. If you book on a hotel reservation website, you will receive a reservation email without paying in advance. However, Nordic countries such as Switzerland and Spain require hotel confirmation emails and even payment records. (Travel plan) For first-time Schengen visitors, it is recommended that the travel plan be within one month. The more detailed the plan, the better. It is easier to try for two or more visas in a few months after returning to the country after obtaining the visa.

2. Which countries have the fastest Schengen visa processing speed? Visa centers in different countries have different efficiency and strictness in accepting Schengen visas, and the speed of issuing visas is different. Relatively speaking, countries such as Germany and Switzerland have stricter review procedures for tourist visas, while France and Italy are more lenient. The materials required for a French visa are relatively simple to prepare, but the requirements for exit conditions and funds are high. If you are going to Europe for the first time and have no entry and exit records from developed countries, it is recommended not to accept the application in France. For embassies and visa officers, the visa approval rate is higher in the peak tourist season than in the off-season. However, because it takes a long time to issue visas before holidays, you can choose Austria or Nordic countries, which are relatively unpopular, to accept applications through itinerary planning.

3. Precautions when applying for a Schengen visa to multiple countries (1) The reservation form must be consistent with the travel plan. During the visa issuance process, it is inevitable that the consulate will question the submitted materials and conduct a telephone investigation. Possibility of confirming the credibility of the material. Telephone surveys usually ask multiple questions. Among the preparatory materials, in addition to reservation orders, applicants usually also need to provide travel plans. It is recommended that Schengen multi-national travelers keep their travel plans in mind, including flight and alcohol information, and do not mix up information to avoid affecting visa issuance. In addition, when entering the customs, the customs staff will ask about the length of stay, and the answer must be consistent with the length of stay in the itinerary certificate, otherwise you will be deported. (2) During the visa application process, never cancel the reservation order. After receiving the applicant’s materials, the embassy or consulate will verify the authenticity of the reservation order. If the reservation is canceled midway, it will affect the visa issuance result and directly lead to visa rejection. It is recommended that the applicant cancel the reservation after the visa is issued and book air tickets and hotels according to the actual situation. (3) After a visa rejection, it is best not to apply again immediately. If you reapply immediately after a visa rejection, the success rate is generally low. If there is a record of visa rejection, even if the details of the submitted materials are above average, it is still easy to be rejected again. It is recommended to leave enough time for both visa submissions. The above is an introduction to the Schengen visa application process and related matters. With the reform of the European Commission's Schengen visa scheme, I believe that the visa application procedures will become increasingly simplified, which is undoubtedly another major good news for citizens holding Chinese passports.