Overview: the Schengen Area Tourist Visa
A short-stay visa for tourism, visiting family or friends, and other non-business leisure travel. The single biggest factor in approval is convincing the officer you will return home.
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
Holidays, family visits, sightseeing and short personal trips. Stays of 30–180 days, often on a multiple-entry visa valid 1–10 years.
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
- Weak ties to your home country, so the officer doubts you will return.
- Unclear trip purpose or an itinerary that does not match your stated plans.
- Insufficient or unexplained funds for the trip.
How VisaMet helps
VisaMet checks whether you qualify for the Schengen Area Tourist 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.
VisaMet provides preparation guidance, not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.