Many people who like to travel, dream of taking a trip through the beautiful scenery and cultural treasures of Europe. People often think of complicated application processes and long wait times when they hear the word “Schengen visa.” However, this visa lets you easily travel between several European countries. But out of all the Schengen countries, there are eight that make it pretty easy to get a ticket. With easy ways to get a Schengen visa, these countries, from Switzerland’s beautiful Alpine views to Belgium’s rich history, are calling to visitors. This article talks about how easy it is to get a visa inLuxembourg, Slovakia,, Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Estonia, and Hungary. Itopens up a way for eager travelers to easily discover Europe’s wonders.
One must keep a buffer of four to eight weeks between the submission of documents and the application, and the day you intend to begin your journey. While the mandatory documents and the processing fee are the same for most nationalities, the only challenge can be that not all Schengen countries grant visas easily.
Embassies/consulates of countries like France, Spain and Germany can take months to issue visas due to the overwhelming number of applications they receive, and their rejection rates are also on the higher side. But there are some countries that most likely grant the visa and that too in a comparatively short duration due to fewer applicants.
So, if you are planning a European vacation and want your chances of getting a visa to be higher, we have listed the countries that may not disappoint you. But, first, here are the details on various aspects of the Schengen visa.
It is a visa for unrestricted movement between 27 European countries,, which together make up the Schengen zone. It is granted to non-EU nationals and citizens of countries not having a visa-exempt agreement with Schengen members. The visa holders can stay in the zone for up to 90 days within a six-month period. The visa can be granted by any of the Schengen countries, depending on whose embassy or consulate or visa facilitation centre you approach. Some visa centres handle applications of multiple Schengen members.
The fee for a Schengen visa is EUR 80 (USD 90) for adults and EUR (USD 45) for children between the ages of six and twelve. There is no fee for children below six years. The visa fee for nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Russia is USD 37 and nationals from Gambia have to pay USD 126.
Countries that are part of the Schengen zone
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 in case you are visiting more than one Schengen country
The application must be sent to the country you are visiting for the maximum number of days. In case you are spending an equal number of days in multiple countries, then you need to apply to the one you are beginning your trip from.
Related:https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/destinations/want-permanent-residency-in-eu-these-countries-are-the-easiest-to-apply/
Countries you can apply to get a Schengen visa easily
Below, eight countries are listed on the basis of low refusal rates. It is pertinent 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 rejection rate in 2021. So, there is a high possibility you may get the visa if your documents are in order.
2. Slovakia
Known for its unique castles and caves, Slovakia was also among the ones which turned down very few visa applicants, as per 2021 data.
3. Lithuania
The country of Devil’s Pit won’t send your application to pit if you fulfil its visa requirements. This Baltic state, too, had a pretty low rejection rate.
4. Czech Republic
Czech Republic or Czechia had a slightly higher rejection rate compared to the ones mentioned above, but this Central European country also received a higher number of applications.
5. Latvia
Latvia is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and unique cuisine. This Baltic country is also a good option for procuring a Schengen visa. Over 15,972 short-stay (90-day) visas were issued in 2021.
6. Finland
The Nordic country, famous for being the ‘happiest country in the world’ for five years running, will make you happy too if you submit all the necessary documents.
7. Hungary
With a marginal difference in the rejection rate fromFinland, Hungary is also a good option for entering Europe. But don’t treat this country as only a gateway to the continent; there is a lot to do and see here.
8. Estonia
Though quite low on this list, Estonia is still a better choice if compared to Western European countries such as France or Spain. Also, if you are a history buff, don’t even think about giving its capital Tallinn a miss.
When to apply for the visa?
The embassy/consulate can take around 15 working days to process the application. Also, do not submit the application earlier than six months
Important documents to attach to your application
The European Union has a visa-free policy for 61 countries, including the USA, Singapore, Canada and Australia, and Hong Kong and Macao (China’s special administrative regions). This means passport-holders of these countries and regions are not required to apply for a visa and can stay in the Schengen zone for less than 90 days.
However, citizens of 108 countries, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, South Africa and the Philippines among others, need to apply for a visa. Countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Pakistan, Ghana, Ethiopia, Congo and Eritrea also require an airport transit visa if they enter the Schengen Zone during a layover.
If you belong to a country that requires a Schengen visa for a short stay, then continue reading to get details on the visa process. First, you need to find out whether the documents must be submitted at your destination country’s embassy or one of their consulates or a visa application centre appointed by the them to handle submissions. In case the destination country has no embassy/consulate or an appointed-visa centre in the region from where you are applying, then check if any other Schengen member is handling its operations.
Next, to initiate the visa process, you need to book an appointment online or in person at the embassy/consulate. Then, accordingly, submit your documents along with biometrics (fingerprinting and facial scan) and pay the visa fee. A travel agent can also be hired to do most of the leg work. In both cases, you have to ensure that you have attached all the required documents.
The documents you need for the visa can be divided into two categories: standard (mandatory for everyone) and visa-specific documents.
Below is the list of standard documents:
Visa-specific documents depend upon the purpose and the type of visa a candidate is applying for. So, it is advised to first identify the type of visa you need and check out its requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, With the ease of Schengen visas, it’s easier to see Europe’s beautiful scenery, fascinating histories, and wide range of cultures. Within the 26 countries that make up Schengen, eight stand out for having relatively easy visa requirements. With an easy and quick application process, tourists can get a Schengen visa from Slovakia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, and Estonia and start their adventures in Europe.
Not only do these countries have famous sites and beautiful scenery, they also make it easy for tourists and business travelers to get around. The easier visa processes in these countries make the trip go more smoothly, so people can focus on exploring historical places, enjoying delicious food, and getting to know people from different backgrounds.
Before making any trip plans, people who want to visit must make sure they follow the specific rules set out by each country’s embassy or consulate. Key parts of a good visa application are fully understanding the paperwork that is needed, meeting the financial requirements, and giving a strong reason for the visit.
Basically, the eight Schengen countries we talked about are great places for tourists to see the beauty and variety of Europe. When people carefully and correctly fill out the visa application process, they can start a unique and enriching trip through Europe.
Related:https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/destinations/want-permanent-residency-in-eu-these-countries-are-the-easiest-to-apply/
Countries You Can Easily Obtain A Schengen visa
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