8 Easiest Countries to Get a Schengen Visa for (2023)

Walking through narrow cobbled streets, enjoying the creamiest ice cream while admiring the architectural beauty that surrounds you under a beautiful sky is everything one dreams of when traveling to Europe. From admiring the nightly twinkle of the Eiffel Tower in Paris to visiting the ruin bars of Budapest, watching flamenco in Spain or admiring the magnificent cathedrals of Italy, each country in Europe tells a fascinating story from the past and offers experiences that travelers live. . However, you can only access all of this if you have a Schengen visa in your passport, which requires some planning before applying.

A margin of four to eight weeks must be observed between the presentation of the documents, the application and the day of the planned start of the trip. While the required documents and processing fee are the same for most nationalities, the only challenge may be that not all Schengen countries easily issue visas.

embassies/consulates of countries such as France,spainThe US and Germany can take months to issue visas due to the overwhelming number of applications they receive, and their rejection rates are also higher. But there are some countries that are very likely to issue the visa and in a comparatively short period of time due to fewer applicants.

So if you're planning a vacation in Europe and want to increase your chances of getting a visa, we've listed the countries that might not disappoint you. But first, here are the details on various aspects of the Schengen visa.

What is a Schengen visa and how much does it cost?

It is a free movement visa between 27 European nations that together form the Schengen area. It is granted to non-EU citizens and citizens of countries that do not have a visa-free agreement with Schengen members. Visa holders may stay in the zone for up to 90 days in any six-month period. The visa can be issued by any of the Schengen countries, depending on which embassy, ​​consulate or visa facilitation center you contact. Some visa centers process applications from multiple Schengen members.

The fee for a Schengen visa is EUR 80 (approx. INR 6,940) for adults and EUR 40 (approx. INR 3,470) for children between the ages of six and twelve. There is no fee for children under six years of age.

Countries that are part of the Schengen area

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Which country to apply to if visiting more than one Schengen country?

The request must be sent to the country you are visiting for the maximum number of days. If you spend the same number of days in multiple countries, you must request the country from which your trip begins.

Countries where you can easily apply for a Schengen visa

The following list has been prepared in accordance withData from the European Commission 2021. Below are eight countries based on low rejection rates. It is important to note that these countries receive fewer visa applications compared to popular destinations such as France, Spain or Germany.

1. Luxembourg

Luxembourg, a hidden gem in Northern Europe, had the lowest refusal rate in 2021. Therefore, there is a high probability that you will get the visa if your documents are in order.

• Requests received – 2,383
• Rejected applications – 1.2%

2. Slovakia

Slovakia, known for its unique castles and caves, was also among those that turned down very few visa applicants, according to 2021 data.

• Requests received – 3886
• Rejected applications: 2.7%

3. Lithuania

The Devil's Pit Country will not send your application to the Pit if you meet the visa requirements. This Baltic state also had a fairly low rejection rate.

• Requests received – 24,764
• Rejected applications: 2.8%

4. Czech Republic

Czech Republic or Czechia had a slightly higher rejection rate compared to the previous ones, but this meansEuropeanThe land also received a higher number of applications.

• Requests received – 02/07/470
• Rejected applications: 3.3%

5. Latvia

Latvia is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and its unique cuisine.This Baltic country is also a good option to obtain a Schengen visa. In 2021, more than 15,972 short-stay (90-day) visas were issued.

• Requests received – 16,764
• Rejected applications – 3.5%

6. Finland

Known for being the “happiest country in the world” five years in a row, the Nordic country will also make you happy if you present all the required documents.

• Requests received – 61,015
• Rejected applications: 4.7%

7. Hungary

With a slight difference in rejection rate compared to Finland, Hungary is also a good option to enter Europe.Butnojust treat this country like a foolto the mainland; There is a lot to do and see here.

• Requests received – 70,269
• Rejected applications: 4.8%

8 Estonia

Although Estonia ranks quite low on this list, it is still a better option compared to Western European countries like France or Spain.Even if you're a history buff,noHe doesn't even think about giving his capital valleyyoPosada Amiss.

• Requests received – 40,657
• Rejected applications: 5.4%

When to apply for the visa?

The embassy/consulate may take approximately 15 business days to process the application. Do not apply before six months.

Important documents for your application

In India, you can apply for a Schengen visa through Visa Application Centers like VFS Global. You will need to book an appointment online to submit your documents to the center, pay for the biometrics (fingerprint and face scan) and the visa fee. You can also hire a travel agent to do most of the legwork. In both cases, you must ensure that you have attached all the required documents.

The documents you need for the visa can be divided into two categories: standard documents and visa-specific documents.

Below is the list of documents generally required:

• Schengen visa application form.
• Two 34X44 mm photographs taken in the last three months.
• A valid passport that is not older than 10 years and has at least three to four months of validity remaining. Attach another old passport with visas.
• Round-trip air tickets along with itinerary and cover letter clearly stating your intention to stay and purpose.
• Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros (approx. 26.02.321 INR).
• Proof of accommodation: If you are a guest, you will need a letter of invitation from the host.
• Proof of Funding: Proof that you can financially support yourself during your stay in the Schengen country by sharing your bank statement. If you have the support of another person, please attach the sponsorship letter along with the bank details. Bank statements must not be more than three months old.
• Proof of visa fee paid.
• Employment details: proof of employment, pay stubs, business license, and income tax return

To verify that you have all the required documents at the time of submission, please review the checklist available on the VFS Global website.

The specific visa documents depend on the purpose and type of visa the candidate is applying for. Therefore, it is recommended that you first identify the type of visa you need and review the requirements.

types of visas

There are four main categories of visa you can apply for: A, B, C and D. Type A is a transit visa, which allows citizens of non-Schengen countries to transit or wait for their connecting flight at the airport of the Schengen country. The type B visa is for short trips in the country lasting less than five days. The Type-C visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to stay in the Schengen area for less than 90 days during a 180-day period. This category of visas is further divided into single-entry visas, double-entry visas, and multiple-entry visas.

• A single entry visa allows its holder only one stay in the Schengen country. This means that once you have completed your period of stay and departure, you will no longer be able to enter the country.
• A double entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen country twice before the visa expires.
• The multiple entry visa gives you permission to enter the Schengen country as many times as you want.

The type D visa is for a long-term stay in the country and is mandatory for people who want to work, study or live in the Schengen country for more than 90 days.

Other visa types include three different types of multiple-entry visas: a one-year multiple-entry visa, a three-year multiple-entry visa, and a five-year multiple-entry visa. A limited territorial visa is another type of visa, usually issued in emergencies when a Schengen visa is difficult to obtain, and only allows you to travel through one country.

(All currency conversions have been made at the time of writing this article)

(Heroes and Movie photo credit: An Mazhor/Shutterstock)

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