Schengen Visa Guide

Which countries can I visit with Schengen visa?

It's a common knowledge and properly everyone knows that all foreign travelers holding a valid Schengen visa are allowed to visit and stay at all the 26 Schengen - 22 European country and 4 non European country state for up to 90 days during any 180 days. However, this might be news to you that there other countries where Schengen visa is valid and you will be allowed to enter and visit theses countries as long as you meet the required Schengen zone visa conditions.

As on 2020 there are 17 non-Schengen member countries that allow foreign travelers holding Schengen double and multiple entry visa or national visa to enter and stay without obtaining their visas as long as your passport is valid for at least six months. These countries are:

1. Albania : Foreign nationals can transit, enter and stay in Albania without a visa if they hold a valid Schengen multiple entry that has been used at least once to visit a Schengen area. Allowed duration of stay is 90 days within 180 days.
2. Antigua and Barbuda :Visitors holding a valid Schengen visa may transit or visit without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days. They will be granted an on arrival tourist visa.
3. Belarus :Nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, China can enter and stay in Belarus for up to 3 days without a visa if they hold a valid Schengen travel visa.
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina :Travelers who hold a multiple entry Schengen visa that has been used at least once can enter and visit for a period up to 15 days every time they visit within 180 days.
5. Bulgaria :The republic of Bulgaria allows visitors to transit and visit the country for up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa if they hold a valid Schengen visas.
6. Colombia :Citizens of Cambodia,China,India,Macau (180 days),Myanmar,Thailand and Vietnam are allowed to stay at Colombia without a visa for up to 90 days if they hold a valid Schengen visas.
7. Croatia :Starting July 2014 foreign nationals who hold a valid Schengen visa are given free entry for a stay up to 90 days within 180 days.
8. Cyprus :All visitors holding double or multiple valid Schengen visa are exempted from Cyprus visa and visit the country for three months within 6 months.
9. Georgia :Foreign visitors holding valid Schengen visa can visit Georgia for up to 90 days within 180 days.
10. Gibraltar :Citizens of Morocco, China, Mongolia, India or Russia who hold a valid multiple entry Schengen travel visa, can visit and stay in Gibraltar without Gibraltar Visa for up to is 21 days.
11. Kosovo : All visitors holding a valid multiple entry visa are welcomed to enter and visit Kosovo for a period of 15 days.
12. Mexico : To enter mexico without a visa you will need to hold a valid multiple entry Schengen visa.
13. Montenegro : All holders of valid Schengen visa are allowed to transit, enter and visit for up to 30 days each visit within 180 days.
14. North Macedonia : If you hold a valid Schengen visa type C you will be allowed to enter and visit for 15 days for each entry during 180 days.
15. Romania : Holders of short stay type C double entry or multiple entry Schengen visa will be permitted a stay of 90 days within 6 months.
16. Sao Tome and Principe : The country offers a visa free policy for travelers holding a valid Schengen visa for 15 days.
17. Serbia : Since February 2014 Foreign nationals holding a valid Schengen visa are allowed to enter and stay for up to 90 days within 180 days.

Take advantage of this great visa policy and apply for your Schengen visa NOW!

How early can I apply for Schengen visa?

Schengen visa used to be valid for 90 days which forced visa applicant to apply for maximum 90 days in advance. However, as per the latest February 2020 Schengen visa policy update all foreigners are now allowed to apply maximum 180 days before their intended travel date.

This new rule has been highly welcomed and appreciated by business travelers and all those visa applicant who travel frequently from several countries and would like to prepare their travel plans well ahead of time to visit several Schengen countries in the Schengen space.

How long after Schengen visa rejected can you apply again?

Generally there is no fixed time limit you should wait before you apply for a new Schengen visa from relevant embassy when your Schengen visa is rejected. However, based on the rejection reason you shouldn't apply again until you solve and rectify the reason your Schengen visa was rejected. Otherwise you will risk losing Schengen visa fee again.

Why is Schengen visa rejected?

The most common reasons why Schengen visa is rejected usually falls into one of the below:

• Insufficient means of subsistence: Applicants who face this Schengen visa rejection reason usually have issues with their bank statement such as regular income, large unexplained deposits or bank closing balance that doesn't add up with the regular income and regular expenses.
• Invalid Schengen area travel insurance: If the submitted travel insurance doesn't meet the Schengen area visa requirements your visa will be rejected.
• No justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay: Usually, you will face this rejection reason if your hotel and flight reservations couldn't be verified by the Schengen country's embassy or consulate.
• No justification for the purpose of travel: This means the submitted business invitation letter couldn't be verified by your business partner in the Schengen area.
• Your justification to leave the Schengen country couldn't be ascertained: This means you didn't submit proper evidence that you have social ties to return to the country where you have applied to the Schengen visa.

How to appeal rejected Schengen visa?

What to do if Schengen visa is rejected and if you genuinely believe that your Schengen visa was unjustly rejected you will have an opportunity to appeal the rejection. You should read the Schengen visa rejection letter carefully and understand the reason of the rejection then review the Schengen visa documents you have submitted to figure out the reason of the rejection.

Upon preparing your supporting documents you will have to write a cover letter to explain why you think your Schengen visa was rejected and give very detailed explanation on why you think you should get Schengen visa, visit the Schengen visa centre and submit all your Schengen visa requirement on your visa appointment day.

What happens when your Schengen visa gets rejected?

If your Schengen visa application is rejected you will have one of two options. Options 1 is to appeal the Schengen visa rejection if you truly believe your Schengen visa was rejected by mistake. Option 2 is to review the rejection reason properly and work really hard to improve your Schengen visa requirements and apply for Schengen visa again to the Schengen related country visa application centre. VisaTitans experts advise to apply again for the same Schengen visa country's embassy or consulate.

With over a decade of Schengen visa experience VisaTitans can ensure your Schengen visa application form is flawless.