SCHENGEN VISA – TRAVELLING WITHIN EUROPE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER
Schengen visa – one of the world’s most powerful programs which enables its holders to travel freely within 26 countries while enjoy many attractive benefits. Basically, this visa allows you to enter the Schengen area, most ideally recommended for those who need to circulate within European countries on a regular basis or simply want to take a trip around this continent.
The origin of Schengen agreement
Schengen agreement is the treaty in which border checks have largely been abolished to create a visa-free zone. The agreement was signed on 14th June 1985 with its earliest members being France, Belgium, Netherland, Luxembourg and Germany.
The Schengen area has had 26 country members so far, in which:
Official member nations | 22 European Union countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italia, Latvia, Litva, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. |
4 non – EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Swiss and Liechtenstein | |
Special cases | Monaco, San Marino and Vatican city have opened their borders, however, they are not part of the visa free zone. |
Azores, Madeira and the Canary islands are special members of EU and are parts of the Schengen zone regardless of the fact that they are situated outside of the Europe continent. | |
Non Schengen countries | Ireland and the UK continue to maintain their opt-outs |
Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus – are invited and will be joining the Schengen area soon. |
What is Schengen visa?
Schengen visa is a visa allowing its holders to circulate in the Schengen area (including 26 countries as mentioned above). Except for specific restrictions applied by some countries over their special areas, this visa is effective at any country members (Schengen States). Therefore, Schengen Visa is dubbed “the most powerful visa” in the world.
Types of Schengen visa
-
Type A Schengen Visa or Airport Transit
The type A visa allows citizens of non-Schengen states to transit through or wait for their connecting flight in the international zone of an airport located in a Schengen country. However, this visa is not applicable to Vietnamese citizens. Therefore, should you wish to transit through, you have to obtain the Type C Schengen Visa.
-
Type D Schengen Visa or National long-stay Visa
It is mandatory for any foreigner wishing to study, work or live in a Schengen country for a period of 180 days at maximum.
-
Type C Schengen Visa
- Single-entry visa: allows its holder to enter the Schengen area once. If you leave the area, the validity of your visa expires even if the validity period isn’t over yet
- Double-entry visa: allows its holder to enter the Schengen area twice during the validity period of the visa. You can thus leave the Schengen area and re-enter it during that period of time. Those who have this double-entry visa and enter this area at a regular basis will be considered offering long-stay visa authorization.
- Multiple-entry visa: allows its holder to enter and leave as many times as they wish. Depending on the frequency of your entry and exit within this area, you may apply for one of these following multiple-entry visa:
- 1 year multiple-entry visa
- 3 year multiple-entry visa
- 5 year multiple-entry visa
-
Uniform Schengen Visa
The Uniform program is a permit issued by one of the Schengen Area Member Countries to transit or reside in the desired territory for a certain period of time up to the maximum of 90 days starting from the date of entry.
Therefore, instead of applying program to serve their occasional travel demands. Many people prefer to obtain the permanent residence permit to enjoy various benefits brought by this visa.
Currently, investing in real estate to obtain a residence permit in Europe has become the top priority by many investors as well as Vietnamese families. Together with the requirements that are not as challenging, European settlement by investment programs are less costly yet the quality and benefits it brings are execellent.
Benefits of Schengen Visa that you wouldn’t want to miss
Being the most powerful visa in the world, Visa is not just about free movement but also:
- Visa-free entry to 1 of 26 Schengen States;
- Visa-free entry to Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City and Andorra;
- Financial statement free when applying for Korean Visa during the valid period of program;
- Higher possibility of successfully applying for the UK, US and Canada visa.
Extra benefits for Schengen Double Entry or Multiple Entry holders
- Enter Albania, Bulgaria, Rumani, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Serbia (maximum 90 days)
- Enter Romania as long as you already have an entry stamp on your passport by a Schengen country member;
- Enter Montenegro (maximum 30 days);
- Enter Belarus (maximum 5 days);
- Enter Sao Tome, Principe, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo (maximum 15 days);
Especially for holders of the Uniform Schengen, when investing in Golden Visa Schengen program, investors and family members receive special rights granted to permanent residents and European citizens and be able to freely travel between the 26 countries of the Schengen area as well.
Europe welcomes investors and their three generation family by offering them opportunities to become its official citizens. By successfully receiving European citizenship status, you will be eligible for a complete package of social security services such as health insurance, aged care or tuition free education, etc.
Conclusion
To learn more about the benefits as well as the requirements to apply for this Visa program, contact us at Portico & Bridge. Our team of over 50 experts worldwide is willing and ready to offer you our best service.
Contact us at 0909.898.758
At PORTICO & BRIDGE, “Your Children We Care”.