The history of the Schengen Agreement dates back to 1985 – when five countries (West Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) signed the agreement on the gradual abolition of controls at common borders in the town of Schengen (Luxembourg). Currently, the single Schengen Area covers the territories of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and France. As we reported above, from March five more countries are joining them.
The goal of the Schengen Agreement is to ensure the free movement of citizens within the Schengen Area. Thus, a Schengen visa issued by one of the member states is valid in the territory of all member states. In addition, all foreigners legally residing in the territory of one of the Schengen countries have the right to short-term visa-free visits to any other state of the zone, provided that they travel with a passport recognized by all member states of the agreement and a residence permit issued by the authorities of the country of residence.
Types of Schengen Visas
Schengen Transit Visa. Issued if a person is in transit through the territory of one or more Schengen states. Validity period: 1-5 days. Permitted number of entries into the Schengen Area – 1 or 2.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa. Issued if a person travels to Schengen countries for vacation, shopping, business, visiting relatives, etc. for a period not exceeding 90 days. It may be single-entry (one entry permitted) or multiple-entry (several entries).
National Long-Term Visa. Issued by the embassy of the respective country if, for various reasons (work, study, having a spouse who is a citizen of the country, etc.), a citizen intends to live in the country for more than 90 days. It implies the possibility of multiple entries.
Airport Transit Visa. Issued to citizens of a number of African and Asian countries (Afghanistan, Zaire, etc.) in transit as permission to stay only in the international transit zone of the airport of a Schengen member state. It does not grant access to the territory of Schengen countries. It does not apply to citizens of Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR.
Conditions for Obtaining a Visa
The entrant must:
– have a valid foreign passport whose validity must extend at least 3 months beyond the planned trip duration;
– have documents confirming the purpose and nature of the trip – a business invitation, original invitation from a private individual, tourist voucher, etc., certified (legalized) in the area of the country where the inviting party resides or operates;
– have sufficient financial means for the duration of stay (usually at the rate of $100 per day, but, for example, for a trip to Finland, $45 is sufficient) and for return to the country of citizenship or to a third state where entry is guaranteed (tickets or confirmation of reservation) or be able to obtain these funds legally;
– have an international medical insurance certificate (insurance policy must be valid for all countries of the Schengen Area);
– not be listed as a person whose entry to Schengen countries is prohibited;
– not pose a threat to public order and national security or the international relations of member states;
– fill out an application form, unified for all countries of the Schengen group.
Failure to comply with any of these requirements leads to automatic rejection of the application for an entry permit. In the case of visiting several Schengen countries during one trip, the competent authority for issuing the visa is the consulate of the country of first entry. Practice shows that it is advisable to enter via the country that issued the Schengen visa. Changing the purpose of the trip after obtaining a Schengen visa may also be a reason for denial of entry into the country.