Going abroad for higher education is a common trend nowadays and even though the pandemic has adversely affected the number of students going abroad, many experts believe that more and more students will opt for international higher education in the coming years as well. There are plenty of reasons that make international higher education an appealing option for students and going to study in a foreign country with students from all across the globe are two of those main reasons. Mostly, Europe is one of the hotspots for students who aspires to go abroad for international education. The quality of education and the diversity in Europe are two of the primary factors that makes students choose to go to Europe for their higher education.
Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that is issued for people who want to travel to any member countries in the Schengen region. And Schengen countries include most of the countries in Europe. Also, the Schengen region is widely known as the biggest free travel area anywhere in the world.
Many students still have doubts regarding Schengen Visa application, Schengen Visa requirements, and Schengen Visa process. So, in this article, we will take a close look at how a student can apply for Schengen Visa. With that said, if you are a student who wants to stay in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you should be applying for a national visa of the specific European country where you wish to study instead of Schengen Visa.
When it comes to how to apply for a Schengen Visa in order for you to travel to Europe, the first thing that you should know is whether you need it or not. As mentioned before, if you are someone that is aiming to stay in a Schengen country for more than 90 days, then you don’t need to get a Schengen Visa. With that said, if you are doing a short-term program that is less than 90 days, then Schengen Visa is the best option for you. One other thing that you need to keep in mind is the fact that your need for a Schengen Visa can change depending on your nationality as well. After sorting all that out, then next thing you should do is plan your travel and that includes how long will you be staying.
Once you have finished that, then what you need to do is to review the visa application requirements for traveling to Europe. After that you should start the process of planning a visa appointment at a Schengen consulate in your country. Doing all this in an organized manner will help you a lot and doing this in an orderly manner can help you to avoid any unwanted issues down the line.
Now, with that out of the way, let’s look at what are the requirements that you should fulfil in order to get a Schengen Visa.
First of all, you need to understand the fact that you will have to submit several documents at the Schengen port of entry, so that you will be able to enter. And this is if you are a non-EU/Schengen country national, regardless of the fact that if you are a visa-exempt or not.
Now, let’s look at the documents you should provide when entering the Schengen Area includes:
- You will need the visa application form
- A valid passport
- You will be required to present two identical photos
- You should submit the travel insurance policy
- You should also be required to show your flight itinerary that includes the dates as well flight number that will specify your entry as well as exit from the Schengen area
- You will also be asked to present the proof of accommodation
- Then, you will also be required to shoe the proof of your financial means as well
Keep in mind that these above-mentioned documents are the standard requirements and depending on the country you are travelling to, you might be asked to submit more documents.
