The Schengen visa is one of the most popular visas in the world, allowing people to travel to 27 European countries without the need for a separate visa. However, obtaining this visa usually requires detailed documentation, strict conditions, and lengthy reviews by embassies. Many applicants are looking for ways to go through this process in the shortest possible time. Fortunately, by following 10 important tips, you can reduce the processing time and increase your chances of getting a Schengen visa. Today, in this article, we are going to look at these tips. Stay with us until the end.
A Schengen visa is an official permit for entry and residence in the Schengen area, which includes 27 European countries. This visa allows applicants to travel in these countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without the need to obtain a separate visa. Schengen visas are divided into several categories, including tourist, business, educational and medical visas, each of which has its own specific conditions and documents. To obtain this visa, the applicant must provide documents such as a valid passport, travel insurance, financial documents, round-trip tickets, travel plans and an invitation letter (if any).
Schengen member countries include Germany, Greece, Romania, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and…, which allow travel between them without border restrictions. One of the important points in obtaining a Schengen visa is a good travel history, sufficient financial means and providing complete and accurate documents, because the rejection of this visa can make it difficult to obtain it again.
10 tips to get a Schengen visa quickly
1. Choosing the embassy with the shortest waiting time
One of the most important factors in speeding up the Schengen visa application process is choosing the right embassy or consulate. Some Schengen countries have faster processing times due to a lower volume of visa applications. For example, during certain seasons, the embassies of Greece, Italy or Spain have shorter processing times than high-demand countries such as Germany and France. Also, checking the capacity of visa application centers (such as VFS Global or BLS) in different cities can help you make a better choice. Sometimes registering in a different city with a lower volume of applications can reduce the waiting time.
2. Providing complete and flawless documents
One of the main reasons for delays in issuing a Schengen visa is the submission of incomplete or incorrect documents. The documents you need to provide include a valid passport (with at least 6 months of validity), visa application form, biometric photo, valid travel insurance, bank statement, pay slip, employment or study certificate, round-trip ticket and hotel voucher. It is also necessary to prove your financial means by providing a recent three-month bank statement with an appropriate balance. Checking the list of documents before submitting and consulting a visa consultant if necessary can prevent the application from being rejected and speed up the issuance process.
3. Using VIP or Urgent Visa Services
Many embassies and visa service centers offer an option called VIP or Express Visa, which allows for faster processing of your visa application for an additional fee. Instead of waiting for weeks, your application may be reviewed and responded to within a few days. Not all embassies offer this option, so it is best to check with the embassy before applying. This option is also usually more suitable for business, medical, and urgent visas (such as family emergencies).
4. Having an invitation from a Schengen resident
If you have friends, family or a business in a Schengen country, you can facilitate your visa application process by receiving an official invitation. The invitation should include the host’s name and contact details, exact address, contact number, reason for the invitation and duration of stay. In some cases, providing financial documents from the host and proof of relationship to the applicant can also help speed up the process. An invitation shows that you have a specific place of residence and are planning to travel to Schengen, which has a positive impact on the visa application process.
5. Appropriate travel history and previous visas
Having a history of travel to reputable countries (such as European countries, Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK) can increase your chances of getting a Schengen visa faster. Embassies usually check applicants’ travel history to see if they have previously traveled to other countries and whether they have returned to their home country on time. If you have previously received a Schengen visa and left the Schengen area on time, you will have a higher chance of getting a new visa. Also, providing copies of previous visas and entry and exit stamps can help validate your application.
6. Strong financial capacity and presentation of valid bank documents
One of the most important things that the embassy considers when considering a visa application is the applicant’s financial ability to cover the costs of the trip. To prove your financial ability, you must provide documents such as a bank statement for the last 3 to 6 months, proof of employment, pay stubs, property deeds, or other assets. It is best to have a reasonable amount in your bank account (usually at least 50 to 70 euros for each day of your stay in the Schengen area). The embassy needs to ensure that you have the ability to cover the costs of your trip and stay, so low bank accounts or sudden deposits may delay or reject your visa application.
7. Hotel reservations and refundable flight tickets
One of the necessary documents for obtaining a Schengen visa is a hotel voucher and a flight reservation. Some people may provide these documents in a fake form, which can lead to the rejection of the application. It is better to make reservations that are cancelable and refundable so that you can change them if necessary. Also, reservations that are consistent with your travel plans will increase the validity of your application and increase the likelihood of receiving a visa.
8. Proof of social and professional affiliations
One of the biggest concerns for embassies is whether the applicant will return to their home country after completing their trip. To increase your chances of getting a visa, you should provide documents that show that you have commitments in your home country. These documents include employment certificates, pay slips, social security insurance, property deeds, certificates of education, and other documents that show your affiliation with your country of origin. These items show that you intend to return and the likelihood of your illegal immigration is low.
9. Continuous follow-up and communication with the embassy
Sometimes visa applications are delayed for various reasons, such as insufficient documents or the need for further review. In such cases, you can follow up on the status of your application by email or by calling the embassy or visa center. However, you should be careful that this follow-up should be done respectfully and within the framework of the rules so as not to negatively affect the application. In some cases, submitting the required additional documents as soon as possible can speed up the processing of the application.
10. Use reputable immigration consultants and agencies
If you are not familiar with the Schengen visa application process or do not want to risk rejection or delay in issuing a visa, you can use reputable and experienced immigration agencies. With up-to-date information on the rules and conditions of various embassies, these agencies can properly prepare the required documents, fill out visa forms accurately, and provide the best solutions to speed up the visa process. Of course, you should be careful to use only legitimate and reputable agencies, because some profit-seeking individuals may prepare fake or illegal documents that will cause your application to be rejected and even result in a ban on entering Schengen.
At Nobility Immigration Institute, we are ready to provide the necessary assistance to your loved ones with the most experienced immigration consultants. For more information and free advice, contact us through the communication bridges.
Final Words
As you can see, in this article, we have reviewed 10 ways to quickly obtain a Schengen visa. We know that obtaining a Schengen visa can be a time-consuming and challenging process, but by following some basic guidelines, this path can be shortened and simplified. Choosing an embassy with a shorter processing time, providing complete documents, using a VIP visa, having an invitation letter, providing strong financial documents, and proving professional and social affiliations are some of the things that can help speed up the visa issuance process. Also, having a good travel history and using the services of professional consultants can increase your chances. By following these tips, you can go through the Schengen visa process faster and plan your trip without worries. Thank you for your support until the end of this article.
Nobility Immigration Institute specializes in consulting for Greek visa, German visa, and Schengen visas. Dear friends, you can contact us through communication bridges for more information and free consultation.