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The Schengen Visa, also known as the Europe Visa, grants you access to travel across 25 countries within the European Union. Additionally, some other European countries also offer visa exemptions with a Schengen Visa, such as Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey, and more. Moreover, holding a Schengen Visa can facilitate visa applications to other countries like Japan, the United States, or Australia. So, is obtaining a Schengen Visa difficult? According to Andy, the answer is no. In this article, Andy shares valuable insights and information for obtaining a Schengen Visa (Europe Visa).
When planning to apply for a Schengen Visa (Europe Visa), many questions may arise. What do you need to prepare? Where should you apply? Within the context of independent travel guidance, this article by Andy guides you through applying for a Short-term Independent Travel Visa in Europe.
General Information about the Schengen Visa (Europe Visa)
Currently, the procedures for obtaining a Schengen Tourist Visa are very straightforward as you will submit your documents at the visa application centers (referred to as Schengen Visa application centers, not embassies). You need to consider where to apply, as this depends on the country where you will stay the longest or the first country you will visit in Europe (within the Schengen area). If you are applying for a visa for family or business visits, you should contact the embassy for more detailed instructions.
Which Countries are Included in the European Visa (Schengen Visa)?
The following countries are part of the Schengen area: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Starting from November 26, 2018, all visa applications must be processed through the France-Visas website. After completing the information on the France-Visas website, you will be redirected to the TLScontact website to schedule an appointment and submit your documents at the TLS center.
For more information about the new visa application process starting from November 26, 2018, please refer to the details on the France-Visas website.
Places Accepting Visa Applications
Preconditions before Applying for a Visa in a Schengen Country:
For example, if you apply for a visa to France through TLS, you must prove that you will either land in France first and visit France first, or you will stay in France the longest (you can land in another country first and then enter France). More specifically, you can understand it as follows:
How to determine which country is the 'main destination'?
New information from 5/2018: When applying for a French visa, you need to establish a schedule indicating France as the first point of entry and the longest stay.
Which Country to Apply Visa for?
This is also very important because if you apply to countries that are easier to enter, more open, then you have a higher chance of getting the visa. As Andy knows, there are two countries in Europe that are quite lenient for independent travelers, namely France and the Netherlands. If you are in the south, it's good to apply for the Netherlands, and if you are in the north, it's good to apply for France. Additionally, many young travelers with weak applications often apply for the Netherlands. But this is just a general feeling from everyone, okay?
France visa has the fastest processing time. As Andy experienced, submitting on Monday meant having the passport back by Thursday, just 4 working days. For a Netherlands visa, the fastest turnaround is 7 days. This is because your application will be sent to Malaysia for stamping and processing.
Steps to Apply for a Schengen Visa
The steps are quite similar at both TLS and VFS centers. You'll go through the following steps:
http://www.vfsglobal.com/netherlands/vietnam/Schedule-An-Appointment.html
https://fr.tlscontact.com/vn/HAN/index.php
After creating an account, you'll either fill out the visa application online or download the form to fill out manually.
These reception centers do not have the authority to review or influence your visa application process. Their sole responsibility is to receive and forward applications to the embassies. You won't know if you've been approved or rejected until you receive your passport back. It can be quite nerve-wracking, especially for first-timers.
In this article, Andy will provide detailed insights into applying for a French visa at the TLS center. You'll find that the visa application process is straightforward, but whether you're approved or denied depends solely on the strength of your application.
Submitting Schengen Visa – French Visa at TLScontact in Hanoi
Please note that if you submit at TLScontact, there will be 2 centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the websites will be different. Be mindful when creating an account.
Hanoi: https://fr.tlscontact.com/vn/HAN/index.php
Ho Chi Minh City: https://fr.tlscontact.com/vn/SGN/index.php
Documents required for Schengen Visa for Independent Travelers are generally the same, you need to prepare the following documents:
Document set for Schengen Visa application
1/ Schengen visa application form
filled in clearly and completely in English or French, signed and dated.
Create this form on the TLScontact website. After creating an account -> logging in -> create the online declaration form
2/ 2 passport photos meeting ICAO standards
Photos taken on a bright background; Size of 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm; Face not covered by any object; Recent photo (taken within 6 months). The provided photos must clearly show the face and neck occupying 70 – 80% of the frame (check the suitability of the photo). 2 Photos / information on standard ICAO photo templates can be viewed here
3/ Passport
A regular or official passport intact, with a full signature, issued less than 10 years ago, valid for at least 3 months from the expiration date of the visa, and with at least two blank pages for visa labels.
4/ Passport copy (photocopy)
A copy of the page containing identification information and all pages containing visas or entry-exit stamps
5/ Schengen questionnaire form
(Download from https://static.tlscontact.com/media/vn/han/fr/questionnaire_pour_une_demande_de_visa_schengen.pdf)
6/ Household registration book (Certified translation required)
7/ If the applicant is a minor: Birth certificate of the applicant (Certified translation required). If the child is traveling with both parents, the child's visa application must be signed by both parents
8/ If the applicant is a minor:
- If the minor travels with only one parent, a consent letter from the other parent or legal guardian is required, except in cases where only one parent has custody of the minor; - If the minor travels alone (without both parents), consent letters from both parents or legal guardian are required; + Copies of parents' or legal guardian's identity cards.
9/ Financial capability evidence: Bank statements for the last 3 months (Bilingual, Bank stamped)
Original bank statements (for company or individual) showing income for the past three months.
10/ Financial capability evidence, If the applicant is employed:
Last three months' salary slips + Employment contract or recent work confirmation letter + Leave approval letter
Note: Bilingual / if documents are not bilingual, you can translate them yourself and request the company to stamp (overlay) the translation. Submit along with photocopies. This saves certified translation costs. If you're short on time, you can opt for certified translation services.
11/ Financial capability evidence, If the applicant is a company owner or self-employed:
Company registration certificate (certified translation) + Tax confirmation (translated into English, or hire a translator, if it's an electronic confirmation, no stamp is needed)
12/ Financial capability evidence, If the applicant is retired:
Retirement decision/ Pension statement/ Retirement card (Certified translation with stamp)
13/ Financial capability evidence, Other financial documents:
Stocks, Credit cards (debit), Regular income generated by real estate.
This enhances your application, the stronger, the better.
14/ Travel purpose: Confirmation from travel agency
Confirmation from the travel agency or any other suitable document demonstrating the planned travel itinerary.
For example, bookings for individual or group tours in Europe. The more, the better; if not, it's okay.
15/ Proof of accommodation, for tourist purposes
Confirmation of hotel reservation, guesthouse rental
You should book through accommodation booking websites such as Agoda.com / booking. Choose the type with Free cancellation, so if your travel plans change after obtaining the visa, you can cancel. Note that the booked accommodation must match the itinerary you've planned. Booking incorrectly or inaccurately will lead to rejection.
16/ Travel medical insurance (mandatory)
for the entire intended duration of stay, valid for all Schengen member states and covering any potential expenses related to repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care, urgent medical treatment, or death during the stay (insurance must have a minimum coverage of 30000 EUR).
Also, please note that this medical insurance must cover the entire number of days according to your planned itinerary. It's better to have extra coverage than to be underinsured.
17/ Transportation
Confirmation of round-trip flight reservation. Applicants must provide evidence of entry and exit from the Schengen area. Please refrain from purchasing tickets before obtaining the visa result.
Insights on Applying for Europe Visa – Schengen Visa
18/ Detailed Itinerary.
You should prepare a detailed itinerary because this is the main reason why you're visiting Europe. You need to show the Embassy where you will go and what you will do. Therefore, you should invest time in this. Note: if you're applying for France, France must be the first country you visit in your itinerary or the country where you'll spend the longest duration. Hotel bookings and flight tickets must align with your itinerary.
Steps to Submit Schengen Visa Application at Tlscontact
As briefly mentioned earlier, the process of applying for a Schengen Visa through TLS will be as follows. Let me summarize it, but you can find detailed instructions on their website regarding the steps to prepare, submit, and receive the results.
Step 1: After creating an account on TLScontact, your account will be valid for 15 days. If you don't submit a visa application within these 15 days, your account will be canceled without charge.
Step 2: Log in to your TLScontact account, fill out the online visa application form. Each individual fills out one form. If you're traveling in a group, fill out all the forms. After creating the form, you can still make changes if you haven't scheduled an appointment to submit the application yet.
Step 3: After verifying all the document information and the forms filled out for the entire group, click on the Submit Application button (note that once you click Apply to submit the application, you cannot edit the form anymore). You need to print out and sign the completed visa application forms.
Step 4: Schedule an appointment for the submission of your application. There will be various time slots for you to choose from. Andy finds this process quite professional as it ensures that the center won't be overcrowded, thanks to the predetermined number of applicants per time slot.
Step 5: Visit the TLS center in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to submit your application. Follow the center's instructions and wait in line. You'll need to deposit your mobile phone, undergo security checks, etc.
Submit your application at the counter. The staff will review your documents and inform you if anything is missing or needs to be supplemented.
If you're missing any documents, TLS may allow you to submit them by 2:30 PM. Therefore, it's advisable to schedule your appointment in the morning to have extra time for document preparation if needed.
In case you fail to submit all required documents on time, you'll have to restart the application process, incurring an additional service fee charged by TLS. It's approximately 680,000 VND per person. Therefore, make sure to prepare your documents thoroughly before visiting TLS for submission.
After submitting your application, you'll be asked to undergo biometrics (fingerprinting + photo capturing) and pay the service fee.
Step 6: Check the results - you can log in to the TLS system on their website to track the progress of your application. It's a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Experience Applying for a Schengen Visa
It seems that the steps and documents required for applying for a Schengen Visa are not as complicated as you might think. If you prepare all the documents thoroughly, your chances of obtaining the Visa are already 80%, especially if you have strong financial proofs or employment records.
The Visa fee for applying in France is $60 USD, and the TLS service fee is around 680,000 VND.
Advice and Experience
After the process of applying for a Schengen Visa (France/Schengen), Andy has gathered some insights to share with you all.
With Andy's experience, I hope you all succeed and obtain your European visa soon. The feeling of submitting the application and receiving an accepted result is a mix of joy, excitement, and nervousness. Wishing you all success.
Types of Schengen Visa
I'll elaborate on this section because those who frequently travel within the Schengen area will be interested. Currently, there are 3 types of Schengen Visa: A, C, and D. However, for tourist purposes, only types A and C are applicable.
Note on Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (type C)
For Vietnam, being categorized with Weak Passport, a developing country, there aren't any specific regulations for this type C visa. Depending on the application, itinerary, and individual capabilities, visas can be issued for 2 months, 3 months, multi-entry, or single-entry, etc.
Hope the above information will boost the confidence of those planning to apply for a Schengen Visa independently.
P/s: Andy will organize some trips to Europe in 2018, still in the form of independent travel, offering diverse experiences. Andy will personally lead the tours. Make sure to follow Toidi.net's Fanpage (set to 'see first' to avoid missing updates) or check the website for announcements.
Don't forget to read more of Andy's other insightful articles.
Tips for Obtaining a South Korea Visa (DIY, 2017)
Is Getting a Taiwan Visa Easy or Difficult? (Free Taiwan Visa for travelers holding visas from developed countries)
Travel Experience in Japan
Traveling Tips for Paris
Guide to Traveling by Train and Bus in Italy
Posted by: Vu Hong Hanh
Keywords: Experience Applying for a Europe Visa (Schengen Visa) – Updated
