Douglas Olsen
International students in the UK who want to travel to the Schengen area may need to apply for a Schengen visa. The type of visa depends on the purpose of the visit. The Schengen area includes 29 countries, and a Schengen visa allows students to visit all of these countries using just one visa. However, the UK and the Republic of Ireland are not part of the Schengen area. International students in the UK should apply for their Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the country they will be visiting. The visa requirements and fees vary depending on the country, and students should ensure that they have the necessary documentation, such as a valid passport, visa application form, and travel insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | Foreign students in the UK |
| Visa type | Schengen visa |
| Visa fee | EUR 80 for most applicants |
| Application form | Yes |
| Passport | Yes, with at least 3 months validity beyond the date of departure from the Schengen area |
| Photo | Yes, according to ICAO standards |
| Immigration permission | Yes, with at least 3 months validity beyond the date of departure from the UK |
| Travel insurance | Yes, with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000 |
| Itinerary | Yes |
| Invitation letter | Yes |
| Proof of sufficient funds | Yes |
| Visa processing time | 15 days, extendable to 45 days |
| Visa validity | Maximum of 90 days within a 6-month period |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements and application process
International students in the UK who are not citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and intend to travel to Europe will likely need to apply for a Schengen visa. The Schengen area includes 26 countries, such as France, Germany, and Italy, that allow individuals to visit specific countries within the EEA and Switzerland using a single visa. The UK and the Republic of Ireland are not part of the Schengen area.
To apply for a Schengen visa, international students in the UK should follow these steps:
- Determine the type of Schengen visa: This includes an "Educational Schengen visa" for educational purposes, a "Schengen tourist visa" for tourism, or a "Visiting Family and Friends" Schengen visa if you have relatives in the zone. There are over 10 types of Schengen visas for students.
- Identify the entry category: Decide whether you need a single, double, or multiple-entry visa. Multiple-entry visas allow several visits to the Schengen area for as long as the visa is valid.
- Check visa requirements and eligibility: Visa requirements and eligibility criteria vary depending on the embassy and the type of Schengen visa. Most Schengen countries require your immigration permission in the UK to be valid for at least three months after you return from your trip.
- Gather required documents: These typically include a valid passport with at least two blank pages, a visa application form, photographs according to biometric specifications, travel insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000, proof of purpose of the visit (such as invitation letters or conference registrations), evidence of sufficient funds, and evidence of current UK immigration permission.
- Submit the application: Identify the embassy or consulate of the country you will be spending the most time in, or the first country you will visit if there is no main destination. Submit your application at least 15 days before your intended journey and no earlier than six months beforehand. You may need to schedule an appointment.
- Pay the visa fee: Visa fees vary among different embassies, so check the current fee and acceptable payment methods.
- Allow for processing time: The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days, but this can be extended to up to 45 days in certain cases. Processing times may vary depending on the embassy and the applicant's nationality.
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Types of Schengen visas
The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to travel to any member state of the Schengen Area temporarily. The type of Schengen visa that you need to apply for depends on the purpose and duration of your trip. Here are the four main types of Schengen visas:
Type A (Airport Transit Visa or ATV):
This visa is for travellers passing through the international zone of an airport in a Schengen country without entering the Schengen Area. It is required when a traveller has a layover or connecting flight in a foreign country and needs to change planes within the airport. The visa is typically valid for 24 hours.
Type C (Short-Stay or Tourist Visa):
The Type C visa is for short visits to the Schengen Area, usually for tourism, business, or family visits. It allows travellers to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This visa can be obtained as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
Type D (Long-Stay or National Visa):
The Type D visa is for stays longer than 90 days in a specific Schengen country. It is issued by a single Schengen member state and allows individuals to engage in activities such as work, training, internships, or study. While it primarily grants access to one country, it also permits travel within the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period during its validity.
Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV):
The LTV visa is a special type of Schengen visa that restricts travel to certain specified Schengen member states, rather than the entire area. It is typically issued for specific reasons, such as humanitarian or national interest cases, and individuals must adhere strictly to the restrictions outlined in the visa.
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Where to apply
Once you know your primary destination in the Schengen area, you can apply for your visa from the embassy, consulate, or visa centre affiliated with the Schengen country you are applying to.
If you are visiting a single country within the Schengen area, you should apply to the Embassy of that specific country located in London. If you plan to visit multiple countries within the Schengen area, you must apply to the Embassy of the country that serves as your main destination, i.e., where you will be spending the most time. If you are applying for a Schengen visa to travel to multiple countries and do not have a main destination, you will need to apply to the embassy of the country you are visiting first.
Country embassies are located in the capital, which means that if you are applying through an embassy, it will be located in London. If you are applying through a country consulate or visa application centre, you will find both in major cities throughout the UK. Most embassies have a consular section that handles visa issues.
You should check the website of the relevant embassy before making your application. It is also important to check the specific fee required by that country, as visa fees vary among different embassies.
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Visa fees
As of 11 June 2024, the fee for a Schengen visa is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged six to below 12 years. The fee for nationals of Cabo Verde under the corresponding visa facilitation agreement is €67.50, while visa fees under other visa facilitation agreements remain at €35. The previous fees were €80 for most applicants and €40 for children.
The fee is due when the application is submitted and is non-refundable. If you withdraw your application or it is rejected, the fee will not be reimbursed. The Swiss representation, for instance, reserves the right to adapt the fee amounts in relation to exchange rate fluctuations.
The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days, but this period may be extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination of the application and/or additional documents are required. Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens falling under the Free Movement Directive are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.
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Supporting documents
International students in the UK can apply for a Schengen visa, but they must submit certain supporting documents along with their application. The specific documents required may vary depending on the embassy where the application is submitted, the type of visa, and the individual circumstances of the applicant.
- Valid Passport: The passport must have at least three months' validity remaining after the planned departure from the Schengen area. For multiple-entry visas, the passport must be valid for at least three months after departing from the last country visited. The passport should also have two blank pages for the visa.
- Visa Application Form: Each Schengen country has its own specific application form, which must be correctly filled out and submitted.
- Passport Photographs: Two passport-size photographs are typically required, adhering to biometric specifications and recent whole-face capture with a light background.
- Travel Insurance: Proof of travel insurance is essential, covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation with a minimum coverage of €30,000. The insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the stay.
- Financial Evidence: Bank statements or other financial documents demonstrating sufficient funds for the trip are necessary. Statements should be no older than one week before the embassy appointment.
- Evidence of Student Status: A letter from the educational institution confirming enrolment and attendance, such as a Statement of Registration.
- Proof of Accommodation: Depending on the purpose of the trip, applicants may need to provide hotel reservations, an invitation letter from a friend or relative, or other proof of accommodation.
- Travel Itinerary: Some embassies may require proof of travel arrangements, especially for multiple-entry visa applications.
- Visa Fee: The visa fee varies among embassies and must be paid in the acceptable form.
- Evidence of Onward Travel: Applicants must demonstrate their intention to return to their home country or the UK with evidence such as a return flight ticket or offer letter for further study.
- Other Documents: Additional documents may include a copy of the passport and student visa, invitation letter from friends (verified by local authorities), and proof of previous Schengen visas (if any).
It is important to carefully review the requirements of the specific embassy and visa type before submitting the application to ensure all necessary supporting documents are provided.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students in the UK need to apply for a Schengen visa if they intend to travel to the Schengen area. The Schengen area includes 29 EU countries, and the visa allows travel of a maximum of 90 days within a 6-month period.
The requirements for applying for a Schengen visa as an international student in the UK include:
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages and issued within the last 10 years. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of departure from the Schengen area.
- A visa application form.
- Two passport photographs according to biometric specifications.
- Travel medical insurance covering emergency medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation with a minimum cover of €30,000.
- Proof of purpose of the visit, such as invitation letters from friends or conference reservations.
- Evidence of current UK immigration permission, such as a student visa, with at least 3 months' validity remaining after the date of departure from the Schengen area.
- Evidence of sufficient funds, such as bank statements.
International students in the UK can apply for a Schengen visa by following these steps:
- Identify the primary destination in the Schengen area and the corresponding embassy or consulate.
- Submit the application to the embassy or consulate directly or through their designated agency.
- Schedule an appointment and attend it with all the required documents.
- Pay the visa fee and any applicable service fees.
- Allow for processing time, which is typically 15 days but can be extended to up to 45 days in some cases.
