Which Schengen country should I apply to if I am visiting multiple countries?

You must apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the maximum number of nights (your main destination). If you are spending an equal number of nights in two or more countries, you must apply to the embassy of the country you will enter first.

Do I need to book real flights and hotels before getting the visa?

Consulates require proof of your travel itinerary. Fully paid non-refundable tickets are not mandatory and are actually discouraged before approval. However, you must provide verifiable flight reservations/itineraries and legitimate hotel bookings that the embassy can check.

Can I work on a Schengen Tourist Visa?

No. The Type C Schengen Visa is strictly for tourism, visiting family/friends, and short business meetings. Paid employment is absolutely prohibited.

EUSchengen Area · Visitor Visa

Schengen Tourist Visa

Travel across 27 European countries. Complete guide to the Schengen Type C Visa, 90/180-day rule, travel medical insurance, and VFS/BLS application process.

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Processing time

15-30 days

Overview

The Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay Visa – Type C) is a unified travel document that allows non-EU nationals to travel freely across the 27 European countries comprising the Schengen Area. It is strictly intended for tourism, sightseeing, family visits, and short recreational trips. Depending on your travel history and the issuing embassy's discretion, the visa can be issued as Single Entry, Double Entry, or Multiple Entry. It permits a maximum stay of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period.

Key benefits

Border-free travel across 27 Schengen member states (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) using a single visa.

Valid for tourism, visiting family/friends, attending short business meetings, or receiving private medical treatment.

Opportunity to receive a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) with a validity of 1 to 5 years if you have a strong, compliant Schengen travel history.

Fee breakdown

Indicative — confirmed after your free assessment.

Schengen Visa Fee (Adults)€90

Schengen Visa Fee (Children 6-12 years)€45

Children under 6 yearsFree

VAC Service Fee (VFS/BLS/TLS)Varies by center (approx. €20 - €40)

GAC Advisors service feePKR — quoted after review*

Visa Validity & Stay

The Type C visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period. If you are granted a Single Entry visa, you must leave the Schengen Area once your trip is over, and you cannot re-enter even if you have not used your 90 days. A Multiple Entry Visa allows you to enter and exit repeatedly, provided you respect the 90/180-day rule.

Eligibility criteria

✓Possession of a valid passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area.

✓Genuine intention to visit the Schengen Area exclusively for short-term tourism or family visits.

✓Demonstrable proof of sufficient financial resources to fund your entire trip, including daily living expenses and return travel.

✓Proof of comprehensive Travel Medical Insurance covering at least €30,000 for emergency hospitalization and repatriation.

✓Strong socio-economic ties to your home country to satisfy the consulate that you will leave before the visa expires.

Required documents

▸Valid passport and recent photographs

▸Bank statements, typically covering the last 3-6 months

▸Employment letter or business registration documents

▸Invitation letter, where you are visiting someone

▸Confirmed travel itinerary and hotel bookings

▸Travel insurance where the destination requires it

Mandatory Documents

Valid Passport with at least two blank pages.
Fully completed and signed Schengen Visa Application Form.
Two recent biometric passport-size photographs meeting strict ICAO/Schengen specifications (light grey/white background).
Valid Travel Medical Insurance Certificate (minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across all Schengen states for the entire trip).
Official Biometrics appointment confirmation and visa fee payment receipt.

Supporting Documents

Flight Itinerary/Reservation showing intended entry and exit dates from the Schengen Area.
Proof of Accommodation: Confirmed hotel bookings for the entire stay, or a formal Invitation Letter/Sponsorship Declaration from a host.
Financial Proof: Stamped bank statements (last 3-6 months) showing consistent balance, and income tax returns (ITR).
Employment Proof: Salary slips, Employment Letter, and a stamped Leave Approval/No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Business Proof (for owners): Business registration documents and corporate bank statements.
Comprehensive Cover Letter explaining your travel purpose, day-by-day itinerary, and funding details.

DS-160 Application Guide

Unlike the US DS-160, the Schengen visa requires you to fill out a harmonized application form (often generated online via portals like Videx for Germany or France-Visas). Once the form is complete, you must book an appointment at an authorized Visa Application Centre (VAC) such as VFS Global, BLS International, or TLScontact to submit your physical document file and enroll your biometrics.

Step-by-step application process

Determine the Correct Embassy

Identify your main destination country to know which Schengen embassy or consulate must process your application.

Prepare Documentation

Gather your passport, insurance, flight reservations, hotel bookings, and financial proofs.

Complete the Application Form

Fill out the Schengen Visa application form accurately and print it for signing.

Book VAC Appointment

Schedule an appointment at the designated Visa Application Centre (VFS Global, BLS, etc.).

Attend Biometrics & Submit

Submit your complete file, pay the €90 fee, and provide fingerprints and a digital photo.

Visa Processing

Wait 15 calendar days for standard processing (can extend up to 45 days in complex cases).

Passport Collection

Receive your passport via courier or collect it from the VAC to check your visa sticker.

Visa Interview Guidelines

Formal consular interviews are not standard for Schengen tourist visas. You will interact with VAC staff (VFS/BLS) who only collect documents and biometrics. However, the embassy reserves the right to call you for a short telephone or in-person interview if they need to verify your travel itinerary, employment details, or financial stability.

Common mistakes to avoid

✕Applying to the wrong embassy (e.g., applying to Spain but spending 80% of the trip in France).

✕Providing travel medical insurance that does not clearly state €30,000 coverage for repatriation and emergency care across all Schengen states.

✕Failing to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer confirming your approved leave dates.

✕Presenting insufficient proof of ties to your home country, leading the consulate to doubt your intention to return.

How we prevent refusals

✓Carefully review the standard refusal checklist provided by the embassy (e.g., "Justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provided").

✓You have the legal right to appeal the decision (Remonstrance) within a specific timeframe (usually 1 month), strictly following the embassy’s instructions.

✓If appealing takes too long, you can submit a completely new application, ensuring you have rectified the exact reason for the previous refusal with fresh documentation.

✓Draft a strong rebuttal cover letter addressing the previous refusal grounds point-by-point.

Important Tips for Applicants

✦Always apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the most nights (Main Destination). If spending equal time in two countries, apply to the country of First Entry.
✦Do not rely on unpaid "dummy tickets" that expire before the embassy processes your visa; use verifiable flight reservations.
✦Ensure your bank account shows a healthy, stable balance over 6 months; sudden, unexplained large deposits are often viewed as "fund parking" and lead to refusal.
✦Your cover letter is your voice; use it to explain any gaps in employment or to clearly summarize your travel logistics.