Traveling to Europe is always an exciting adventure. Every year, millions of travelers visit Europe. But, before you start packing your bags, it’s important to ensure that you have the necessary travel documents. One of the most important documents is the Schengen visa.
The Schengen visa is a document issued by the authorities of the Schengen countries that allows the holder to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Getting a Schengen visa is not always easy, but with the help of this guide, you can do it by mail.
What is a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen visa is a document that allows the holder to travel within the Schengen area, which is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished border controls between their common borders. The Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Schengen visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen countries. The visa allows the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
Types of Schengen Visas
There are several types of Schengen visas depending on the purpose of your travel:
- Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) – a short-term visa that allows the holder to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
- Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) visa – a short-term visa that allows the holder to travel only to the specific Schengen country that issued the visa.
- National visa – a long-term visa that allows the holder to stay in the Schengen country that issued the visa for longer than 90 days for a specific purpose, such as studying or working.
Requirements for a Schengen Visa by Mail
If you want to apply for a Schengen visa by mail, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a valid passport that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
- You must fill out the Schengen visa application form and sign it.
- You must provide two recent passport-size photos that meet the Schengen visa photo requirements.
- You must provide proof of travel insurance that covers you for at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, repatriation, and emergency hospital treatment.
- You must provide proof of your travel arrangements, such as flight tickets and hotel bookings.
- You must provide proof of your financial means, such as bank statements and payslips.
- You must pay the Schengen visa application fee.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa by Mail
Here’s how to apply for a Schengen visa by mail:
- Check the requirements: Before applying for a Schengen visa by mail, check the requirements and ensure that you have all the necessary documents.
- Fill out the application form: Download the Schengen visa application form from the website of the Schengen country that you plan to visit. Fill out the application form and sign it.
- Provide the necessary documents: Gather all the necessary documents, such as your passport, photos, travel insurance, travel arrangements, financial means, and application fee.
- Mail the application: Mail the Schengen visa application form and all the necessary documents to the consulate or embassy of the Schengen country that you plan to visit.
- Wait for the decision: The processing time for a Schengen visa application can take up to 15 days. Check the website of the consulate or embassy for updates on the status of your application.
- Collect your visa: If your application is approved, you will receive your visa by mail. If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the denial.
Benefits of Schengen Visa by Mail
There are several benefits of applying for a Schengen visa by mail:
- Convenience: Applying for a Schengen visa by mail is convenient because you can do it from the comfort of your own home without having to visit the consulate or embassy in person.
- Time-saving: Applying for a Schengen visa by mail saves time because you don’t have to wait in long lines or take time off work to visit the consulate or embassy.
- Cost-effective: Applying for a Schengen visa by mail is cost-effective because you don’t have to spend money on transportation or accommodation to visit the consulate or embassy in person.
Conclusion
Getting a Schengen visa is an important step for anyone planning to travel to Europe. Applying for a Schengen visa by mail is a convenient, time-saving, and cost-effective option that allows you to avoid the hassle of visiting the consulate or embassy in person. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can apply for a Schengen visa by mail with ease.
