To travel freely in Europe, you need to obtain a so-called Schengen visa. This document is valid on the territory of all states that have signed a corresponding agreement abolishing passport control between neighboring European countries.
The Schengen area includes more than twenty states that form a common border, which can be crossed only if at least one of them has received a Schengen visa. Many travelers planning to visit more than one European state ask themselves the question: for which country in this case should a visa be issued and can it be done independently? Those who expect to see the whole of Europe, and not a separate state, are advised to apply for a Schengen visa for the country in which they plan to stay the longest. If it is difficult to determine such a place, take a permit for the country of the Schengen zone, which will become the starting point of the trip. Having received a visa, you gain the opportunity to move around Europe without hindrance. If you are hesitant to entrust the issue of collecting the necessary package of documents and obtaining a visa to a travel company, contact the consulate of your chosen country. Keep in mind that almost every state of the Schengen zone has its own rules for applying for a visa, including the method of application, the list of documents and the time frame for preparing a permit. Check with the consulate for all of these highlights. To obtain a Schengen visa on your own, you must first have a reason to visit at least one of the European countries. If you just expect to get acquainted with the sights and memorable places of the country, you will need a tourist visa. To obtain it, provide the consulate with information about your future location abroad. This can be, for example, the address indicated in the invitation from relatives or friends living in Europe. In some cases, it will be necessary to attach to the package of documents something that can serve as proof of the relationship (letters, photographs, etc.). You can enter the Schengen area without an official invitation, but then you must first book a room in one of the hotels in this country by submitting a confirmation document to the consulate. Most often, a printed e-mail addressed to you with a booking confirmation and hotel details is sufficient. It is likely that the consular staff will require confirmation of your intention to return after a trip to your homeland - illegal emigration in Europe is not welcome. An argument in your favor may be the presence of a stable job with a guaranteed high income, which can be reflected in the certificate of average earnings or certificate of income issued by the tax authorities (for entrepreneurs). The best confirmation of solvency, if this moment also needs to be reflected in the documents, will be a bank statement on the availability of funds on your deposit. When submitting documents to the consulate, prepare also the passport itself for affixing a visa and a photograph. Calculate the validity period of the requested visa based on the time you plan to spend on a trip abroad, adding two or three days to it for insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances. Be prepared for a possible refusal to obtain a Schengen visa. Such a probability exists, but the reason for refusal does not always correspond to everyday logic. In order to minimize the possibility of refusal, indicate only absolutely reliable and verifiable data in the submitted documents. If you adhere to these recommendations, you will surely get a visa, and with it a convenient opportunity to visit new countries and get an unforgettable trip experience.
