Exploring the Roads of Europe: What Is a Europe Visa and Why Do I Need One?
If you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen and want to visit countries within Europe, you may need a visa.
You may find you need guidance when you apply, so, for professional help with acquiring the Europe visa for travel purposes, it may be worth contacting a qualified immigration lawyer.
An immigration lawyer can support you throughout your entire application and ensure you meet the eligibility requirements before you apply. They can help you fill out forms, gather supporting documents, and advise you on the most up-to-date immigration regulations, to give you the best possible chance of success.
However, in this article, we will explore what a Europe visa is and how to get one. We will discover its uses, benefits and limitations, to help you decide if it is suitable for your circumstances.
Europe Visa for Tourists
A ‘Europe’ visa is a legal document that allows you to enter various countries within Europe for purposes such as tourism. Authorities know it as the Schengen visa, and it covers 29 different European countries, which together make up the Schengen area.
Once you have acquired a Schengen visa and entered the Schengen area, you can move freely between the different nations within the Schengen area without internal passport checks.
Schengen Visa Explained
The Schengen visa allows you to visit and stay in any of the 29 Schengen area countries for up to 90 days within any 180 days. So, you can travel to and stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days at one time, or you are allowed to travel to and from the Schengen area over a period of 180 days, so long as your stay does not go over 90 days in total.
One of the purposes of the Schengen visa is to unify travel. It replaces individual visas for the 29 countries in the Schengen area, making it easy to travel under one permit. It simplifies legal matters for those who want to visit several countries at once, and allows free movement between these countries so that there are no surprises at the borders.
However, there are some restrictions regarding the Schengen visa. For example, the visa does not allow you to work or study in any of the Schengen area countries, and you must not overstay your visa’s validation period. You cannot enter countries outside of the Schengen area (such as the UK) on this visa, and you must ensure you comply with border control rules and regulations when entering each country.
Do UK and US Citizens Need a Europe Visa?
The UK and the USA both have visa-waiver agreements with the EU, and therefore UK and US citizens generally do not need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen area for tourism purposes.
However, you do need a valid passport. If you reside in the UK or the US under a foreign passport that is not on the visa-exempt list, you will still need to apply for a Schengen visa. Those who hold British or US passports do not.
How to Apply for a Europe Tourist Visa Step by Step
Step 1
To apply for a Schengen visa, you should apply to the country you intend to spend the most time in, or, the country you intend to visit first. So, for example, if you want to start in Italy, you should apply for a Schengen visa through the Italian consulate and so on.
So, firstly, you should decide which country you are going to apply to.
Step 2
You will then need to gather your supporting documents to submit with your application form. The documents required for a Schengen tourist visa are:
- Application form
- Passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay).
- Photos
- Travel Insurance
- Proof of purpose (flight/hotel bookings)
- Proof of finances
- Ties to home country (proof of employment/study)
- Proof of residence
Step 3
You will need to book an appointment with the consulate of your chosen country. This can usually be done online via the designated online portal (often VFS Global). To avoid delays, you should book your appointment well in advance. You can do this as far as 6 months before you intend to travel, but you should ensure you leave it no longer than 15 days prior.
Step 4
You will need to attend your appointment to submit your application form and supporting documents. Here, you will also need to pay the visa fee and provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
Step 5
The final step is to await your decision. You will be issued a tracking number to track the progress of your application. When it has been approved, you can then collect your passport from the consulate or have it couriered back to your home address.