Schengen Area Business Visa

Overview: the Schengen Area Business Visa

A short-stay visa for meetings, conferences, negotiations and other business activities that stop short of taking up local employment. You must show the trip's purpose and that you remain paid from abroad.

A single short-stay visa grants access to 29 European countries. You apply through the consulate of your main destination, and the 90-days-in-any-180 rule governs how long you can stay.

Who this visa is for

Conferences, client meetings, trade shows and short business trips. Short visits of up to 90 days, often on a multiple-entry visa.

Key things to know about applying in Schengen Area

• One Schengen visa covers 29 countries with no internal border checks.
• Apply at the consulate of the country you'll spend the most time in.
• Travel insurance with €30,000 medical cover is mandatory.
• The 90/180 rule limits short stays to 90 days in any rolling 180-day window.

The application process, step by step

• Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria and choose the correct visa category.
• Gather your documents and check them against the official requirements.
• Complete and submit the official application and pay the required fees.
• Attend biometrics and, where required, the visa interview.
• Track your application and prepare for travel once approved.

Common reasons applications are refused

• A vague business purpose unsupported by an invitation or agenda.
• No evidence you remain employed and paid from your home country.
• Gaps between the trip length and the stated business need.

How VisaMet helps

VisaMet checks whether you qualify for the Schengen Area Business Visa, screens your documents against the official checklist, and — where an interview applies — lets you rehearse with a realistic mock officer. A personalised timeline keeps every deadline on track.