Every person wishing to enter the Schengen Area, under whatever purpose, maybe a subject to a visa regime, depending on his or her nationality.

If you have never been to Europe before, the first thing you have to do is ask yourself “Do I need a visa to Schengen Area?” Currently, more than 60 countries around the world can enter the Europe visa-free zone without the need to obtain a visa first, and remain there for 90 days within a six-month period.

The application process to obtain a European visa is mandatory for your freedom of movement in this area. Therefore, you should be very careful when lodging your Schengen visa application.

If you need to apply for a visa to Europe, proceed reading this article which is the ultimate guideline of a Schengen visa application process.

Find out where you need to apply

Depending on how your destination country in Schengen has regulated visa submission in your country of residence, you will have to file your Schengen visa application at one of the following:

• Their embassy
• One of their consulates
• A visa center to which the embassy of your destination country has outsourced visa submission
• The embassy/consulate of another Schengen state to which the embassy of your destination country has outsourced visa submission

By your “destination country”, we mean the country where you need to lodge your application, according to the Schengen rules.

These rules are as follows:

• If you are going to visit only one Schengen country, file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of that country
• If you are going to visit more than two Schengen countries, file your application:
  • At the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country where you will spend most days if you will be spending an unequal amount of days in each
  • At the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country where you will step first, if you will be spending an equal amount of days in each

Find the most suitable time to apply

Due to the time that the Schengen embassies/consulates worldwide need to process a Schengen visa, you have an appointed period within which you can file your visa application.

The allowed period to apply for a Schengen visa is as follows:

• The earliest you can file a visa application: six months before you start your planned trip.
• The latest you can file a visa application: at most 15 working days before you intend to travel.
• The recommended time to file a visa application: at least three weeks before your trip.

• Book an appointment

Book a Schengen visa appointment in order to proceed with your application.

Most of the countries give you the chance to book an appointment online. On the other hand, in others, you will need to book the appointment in person, at the embassy or consulate of your destination country.

You will have to give the following information on your Schengen visa application form:

• Your personal information,
• Information on your background,
• Your purpose of wishing to enter the Schengen Area,
• Other details regarding your trip.

In order to complete and submit the form correctly, pay attention to the following tips:

• Download the latest form of the application since that is the only form accepted.
• Make sure you fill out every required gap. Here you can find some clear instructions on how to fill in the visa application form.
• Do not leave any columns blank. If you feel that, there are columns that do not correspond to your case, fill them with NA (No Answer).
• Remember to print the form twice. Sign both of the copies at the end.
• If you are a minor, your parents have to submit a written consent and sign in the corresponding column of the application form.

Fill out the visa application form

Download the application form and fill it correctly and honestly.

The Schengen visa application form has the same format no matter which country’s visa it is that the applicant is applying for.

• You can download the application form, from here. Then fill it completely and clearly. However, you can also fill the Visa application form electronically. After that take a print to get a hard-copy. See here how to fill the Visa application form!
• Also, take 2 photos with you. The photo should be of passport format. Note that photo should be a recent one with whole-face capture with a light background. Also, checkout requirements and specifications of a photo for a Spanish Visa.
• Another important thing is your passport and copies of your previous visas. That must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date. You will also have at least two blank pages of your passport.
• You may need a copy of your return ticket as proof. But in case you have not purchased a return ticket before obtaining the visa. Then you must get one after it as soon as possible.
• Your travel insurance is also important. You may need a Spain Travel Insurance confirmation of least 30,000€. Also, it must have coverage within Spain and the entire Schengen area
• You may need to show a cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Spain. Also, click to find cover letter samples for visa applications.
• Keep your Flight Reservation dates. Also, flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Spain with you.