A visa application fee must be paid at the time of application in order to be eligible for a Schengen visa. Your visa application will not be handled unless the Schengen visa fee process is finalized successfully. Therefore, it is crucial for foreigners to consider the visa policy prior to applying for a visa. Scroll down to get more insight into this topic with us!
A list of 107 non-EU nations' people who need a visa in order to enter the EU is currently available. By obtaining a Schengen visa, millions of travelers, both leisure and business, from these nations are granted the freedom to freely traverse many European nations with just one visa each year.
A Schengen visa is a type of short-term travel permit that enables its bearer to freely enter, transit through, and depart from any of the 26 Schengen member nations. It is appropriate for travel or business trips lasting up to 90 days.
Getting basic information about the Schengen visa fee is an essential step
Prior to submitting an application for a Schengen visa, applicants must make sure they understand all eligibility conditions and the application procedure.
All passports and other forms of border control at mutual boundaries have been officially eliminated by the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen area.
Here are the 26 countries that comprise the Schengen area, specifically:
|
Schengen areas |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Austria |
Belgium |
Czech Republic |
|
Denmark |
Estonia |
Finland |
|
France |
Germany |
Greece |
|
Hungary |
Iceland |
Italy |
|
Latvia |
Liechtenstein |
Lithuania |
|
Luxembourg |
Malta |
the Netherlands |
|
Norway |
Poland |
Portugal |
|
Slovakia |
Slovenia |
Spain |
|
Sweden |
Switzerland |
|
A number of articles answering commonly asked questions about Schengen visas have been published, covering things like which kind of visa to apply for, what kind of travel insurance is necessary, and common blunders to avoid when submitting an application. Below are the basic details regarding the Schengen visa fee that visitors need to focus on.
When applying for a Schengen visa, you might not always have to pay a fee. There is no Schengen visa fee for applicants who fall into any of the following categories:
Younger than six years old
Students attending schools, postgraduate students, and accompanying professors who travel for the purpose of studying or receiving educational instruction
Researchers from developing nations that are traveling to conduct scientific research
Representatives of non-profit organizations under the age of 25 who take part in conferences, seminars, sporting, cultural, or educational events that the non-profit organizations arrange.
Relatives of nationals of the EU or EEA who are covered by Directive 2004/38
Those with biometric passports who are citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine are exempt from needing a Schengen visa.
Occasionally, the Schengen visa fee may be waived or reduced in order to support humanitarian causes, interests in other vital public domains, or the advancement of artistic or athletic endeavors. Examples of these domains include foreign policy and development policy.
A Schengen visa fee varies depending on several criteria, such as the type of visa you are applying for, how long it will be valid, and the applicant's age and nationality.
Investigating the Schengen visa fee in advance to be able to plan the best itinerary
The applicable fees for each category are listed in the table below:
|
Types |
Amount in EUR |
Amount in USD |
Amount in Indian Rupee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Adults |
80.00€ |
$88.53 |
6,540.29 Indian Rupee |
|
Application from 6–12 years old |
40.00€ |
$44.26 |
3,270.14 Indian Rupee |
|
Kids younger than 6 years old |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
Diplomatic passport holders who are on official business |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
An EU/EEA national's family member |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
Students and teachers during a school trip |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
Scientists and researchers who are on business trips |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
Representative of charitable organizations (less than 25 years old) |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
Armenian and Azerbaijani nationals |
35€ |
$38.73 |
2,861.32 Indian Rupee |
According to the current exchange rate, the applicable visa fee is stated in USD (US Dollar). It could change at any time without any notification.
According to visa facilitation agreements, citizens of Georgia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Albania, Ukraine, and Georgia who still need to apply for a visa but do not have a biometric passport must pay a fee of EUR 35.
At the Consulate or Embassy where you are applying, you can pay the relevant visa fee with cash, debit card, or credit card in local currency. You might not be able to pay with a credit card at all Consulates, though. There is no reimbursement of the application fees in the event that the Schengen visa is rejected.
In addition to the Schengen visa fee, you could have to pay the following additional expenses:
Third-party service providers charge fees for processing visas.
A large number of Member States obtain visa applications and accompanying documentation from outside service providers. Processing fees for these suppliers (visa application centers like VFS Global, TLS, etc.) could reach 50% of the total cost of the Schengen visa.
You need to have Schengen travel medical insurance that is valid across all Member States' territories in order to apply for a Schengen visa. Insurance for travel to Schengen is reasonably priced. A basic insurance policy that lasts for one week costs between €18 and €30. But cost also depends on your age, the type of coverage you want, and the length of your vacation—for example, how long you want to remain.
Translations into English or the official language(s) of the Schengen Member State you are visiting are required for documents presented when applying for a Schengen visa. You can be charged more because the translation needs to be validated by a translation firm. The price of translation varies by nation, so preparing enough budget for a smooth trip is essential.
Upon submitting an application for a Schengen visa, your visa is typically retained by the Embassy. Therefore, you must mail your passport back to the Embassy, Consulate, or visa application facility after a decision has been reached. The costs of the courier, which vary by country, must be covered by you.
The payment of the Schengen visa fee is often made in the currency of the nation housing the Embassy or Consulate. The European Central Bank's (ECB) reference rate must be used to convert the amount of the visa fee charged in that currency to EUR. The local currency visa cost should be computed using the exchange rate in effect at the time of payment.
Currencies accepted for making a visa payment for a Schengen visa
It can vary based on the nation and particular Embassy or Consulate where you are applying and what the permitted payment methods and currencies are for a Schengen visa. The following forms of payment are typically accepted:
Cash payments for the Schengen visa fee may be accepted at certain Embassies and Consulates. It is imperative to confirm whether cash payments are accepted and whether there are any particular prerequisites or limitations.
The bank account information for electronic visa fee transfers is often provided by Embassies and Consulates. Usually, while using this technique, you have to use the information provided to start the payment from your bank account.
Some Embassies and Consulates take credit or debit card payments. Using your card information, you can safely make the payment with this option.
Follow up on these FAQs about the Schengen fee visa for your reference:
FAQs about paying the total fee to obtain a visa
You can pay your Schengen visa fee online in many circumstances. Through their specific payment platforms or visa application portals, many Schengen countries provide online payment alternatives that let you pay the visa fee with credit or debit cards.
When applying for a Schengen visa, it's crucial to confirm the particular requirements and protocols of the Embassy or Consulate of the nation in question. In your specific circumstances, they will provide advice on how to make the payment and whether online payment is possible. To guarantee a seamless and effective payment process, it is advised to adhere to the official directives and instructions given by the pertinent authorities.
There are no application fees for children under the age of six when obtaining a Schengen visa. However, children from six to twelve must pay 40.00€ ($44.26 as of May 2023) for this privilege.
The Schengen visa fee is not refundable. Your visa cannot be refunded, regardless of whether you are granted one or not. If you choose to withdraw your application, you will not receive a reimbursement for your visa.
The price of a single-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa is the same. The length of your visa is determined by the Schengen Embassy or Consulate; thus, even if you are granted a 7-day visa while another applicant is granted a 90-day visa, you will still be required to pay the same amount.
When making travel plans to the Schengen nations, it is important to be aware of the visa costs. The costs for Schengen visas are determined by the Schengen member states and are applicable to applicants from non-Schengen nations. These charges go toward the administrative expenses of handling visa applications. After submitting an application for an Indian Schengen visa, you must make the required payments.
Prior to moving on to the Schengen visa fee step, visitors must take note of some notices regarding the application form:
Common mistakes when obtaining the Shengen visa
Due to a shortage of resources and increased travel, diplomatic posts are experiencing significant delays in visa appointments. Depending on where you are applying from and where you are going, it may take months to receive a visa appointment. Travel agents recommend delaying booking your real tickets until after you have secured a visa appointment, even though you must provide evidence of travel in order to apply for a Schengen visa.
Uncertain travelers frequently use third-party websites to purchase fully refundable hotels and tickets, which they then immediately cancel after receiving a confirmation voucher. They fail to see that there is nothing preventing the officer from verifying whether the booking is still valid. Foreigners often edit tickets in Word documents or block airline tickets on third-party websites without confirmed bookings," according to shady behavior. Make sure your reservation is real and your ticket is authentic, or else your visa may be denied.
You only have 90 days to return within the country with a Schengen guest visa. You can avoid having your visa application denied if you have a return ticket, which is proof that you won't remain longer than necessary.
The nation in which one will be spending the most time requires a visa application. If your application for a visa is denied, you will not be able to offer proof of lodging for each night while in the Schengen area, nor train or airline tickets, nor a reservation for a rental car within the region.
It is crucial that you include it on your visa application form if you are being sponsored by a family member or a business. A letter of sponsorship is something else your sponsor must supply. You will need to submit their financial statements if a family member is paying for your trip. Should your sponsor be a resident of Europe, they must submit supporting documentation, such as an invitation letter and evidence of lodging.
Your passport needs to have been issued no more than ten years ago, and it needs to be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to exit Schengen. The Consulate may depart from this norm in the circumstances of a warranted emergency.
After the date of your application, your employer shall give you a letter of employment within three months. The letter should be sent on letterhead bearing the address and phone number of the sending company. A letter could be returned unopened if it is not signed and stamped.
The budgetary requirements of the Schengen region's member states vary. Make sure you have adequate money to finance your travels and research the needs of the nation in advance. Paystubs, credit card statements, or a three-month bank statement may be submitted. Remember that the date of your application should not be more than one month ago on your financial statement.
The following advice will assist you in budgeting for the costs associated with obtaining a Schengen visa:
Setting a budget: When planning your trip budget, account for probable unexpected expenses and visa application fees. Set up money for related costs in addition to visa fees.
Service fees: Examine and comprehend any prices for services that your nation's visa application center or agency may charge. This aids in budgeting for these expenses and keeps things from being unexpected later.
Insurance protection: Making adequate travel insurance that complies with Schengen criteria a priority. Compute the insurance premium and factor it into your overall financial planning.
Financial preparation: Make sure you have sufficient money to pay the application fees and other costs related to obtaining a visa.
Contingency Planning: Set aside money in your budget for unanticipated events or extra costs that may occur when applying for a visa.
E-Vissa.com can assist if you need assistance completing the required supporting papers and submitting a Schengen application. For Schengen forms, our professional experts also provide a customized twinned service that is becoming more and more well-liked among our clientele.
Together, we can expedite the process and give your company the quickest and most efficient delivery possible by collaborating to make sure your Schengen and applications are ready for your foreign workers at the same time.
Anyone intending to travel to the Schengen Area must be aware of the Schengen visa fee schedule and related expenses. Knowing the fees, possible exemptions, payment methods, and additional expenses allows applicants to plan their travel budgets more effectively, ensuring a smoother visa application process.
Anyone intending to go to the Schengen area must be aware of the entire pricing structure regarding the Schengen visa fee. A smoother visa application procedure is ensured when applicants are aware of the fees, potential exemptions, payment options, and additional costs. This helps applicants better organize their travel budgets. Get in touch with us at [email protected] for more help concerning the visa expenses for a trip to the Schengen area.
