Requirements for Obtaining a Long-Term Schengen Visa
Requirements for Obtaining a Long-Term Schengen Visa
If you’re planning on staying in the Schengen Area for an extended period of time, a long-term Schengen visa is likely your best option. This type of visa allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days, and also allows you to stay in one country for longer than this limit. In this article, we’ll explore the requirements for obtaining a long-term Schengen visa.
What is a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Area consists of 26 countries, including 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. If you’re a citizen of a non-European Union (EU) country, you need a Schengen visa to visit any of these countries for tourism, business, or other purposes.
A Schengen visa allows you to enter one or more of the Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you need a long-term Schengen visa.
Types of Long-Term Schengen Visas
There are several types of long-term Schengen visas, depending on the purpose of your visit. These include:
- Study visa
- Work visa
- Family visa
- Retirement visa
- Entrepreneur visa
Each type of visa has its own requirements, so it’s important to research your specific visa type before applying.
General Requirements for a Long-Term Schengen Visa
Regardless of the visa type, there are some general requirements that you must fulfill to obtain a long-term Schengen visa. These include:
- Proof of travel insurance: You must have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation for a minimum of €30,000.
- Proof of financial means: You must have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the Schengen Area. The amount varies depending on the country you plan to live in and the length of your stay.
- Application form: You must fill out and sign a Schengen visa application form.
- Passport: You must have a valid passport that’s not older than ten years and is valid for at least three months after your intended departure date from the Schengen Area.
- Photo: You must provide a recent passport-style photo, taken within the last three months.
- Background check: You must not have a criminal record and must not be on any national security lists.
- Medical certificate: Depending on your visa type, you may need to provide a medical certificate proving that you don’t have any infectious diseases.
Specific Requirements for Each Visa Type
In addition to the general requirements, each visa type has its own requirements. Here are some examples:
Study visa
If you plan to study in the Schengen Area, you need to provide a letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution in the country you plan to study in. You also need to show proof of financial means to cover the tuition fees and living expenses.
Work visa
To obtain a work visa, you need to have a job offer from a company located in the Schengen Area. The company must provide a confirmation letter stating that you’re being hired, the nature of your job, and your salary. You also need to show proof of financial means to cover your living expenses.
Family visa
If you’re planning to join your family member who’s already living in the Schengen Area, you need to provide proof of your relationship to the resident. This can be a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other legal documents. You also need to show proof of financial means to cover your living expenses.
Retirement visa
To obtain a retirement visa, you need to show proof of your pension or other regular income. You also need to provide proof of your health insurance coverage.
Entrepreneur visa
If you plan to start a business in the Schengen Area, you need to present a business plan with a detailed description of your business activities, financial projections, and marketing strategies. You also need to show proof of financial means to cover your living expenses and investment capital.
Application Process for a Long-Term Schengen Visa
The application process for a long-term Schengen visa is similar to the process for a short-term visa. You need to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to live in. The application fee for a long-term visa is usually higher than for a short-term visa.
The processing time for a long-term Schengen visa is longer than for a short-term visa. It can take up to three months, depending on the embassy/consulate and visa type.
FAQs
- What is a Schengen visa?
- What is a long-term Schengen visa?
- What are the requirements for a long-term Schengen visa?
- How long does it take to process a long-term Schengen visa?
- How much does a long-term Schengen visa cost?
A Schengen visa is a visa that allows you to enter one or more of the 26 Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
A long-term Schengen visa allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for longer than 90 days, depending on the visa type.
The requirements vary depending on the visa type, but generally include proof of travel insurance, financial means, passport, photo, background check, and application form.
It can take up to three months, depending on the embassy/consulate and visa type.
The fee varies depending on the embassy/consulate and visa type, but is usually higher than for a short-term visa.