What Is The Schengen Area?

Schengen is the passport free zone by the European union for European countries. The visa enables its holder to freely enter, travel within and leave the Schengen area from a Schengen member country. However, to live, study or work there for a period exceeding 90 days, you must apply for the country’s national visa.

Schengen Member Countries

The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lie chtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Not all Schengen countries are members of the EU

Who Needs A Visa To Visit The Schengen Countries?

Schengen visa requirements is based on your citizenship and/or residency. All nationals from countries which have not yet reached a visa-liberalisation agreement with the Schengen member states which includes the countries listed in the link below, need a visa to visit Schengen countries

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/

Types Of Schengen Visas

• Single entry visa: this visa permits you to enter the Schengen area once within the given period of time. Once the you exit the Schengen area, you can no longer go back even if you haven’t spent your approved stay period. This tag is not to say you can’t visit other Schengen countries.
• Double entry visa: similar to the single entry visa, this permits you to visit the same Schengen territory twice after which you can’t enter that zone again. However, if you have obtained the double entry visa more than once and you’re a frequent Schengen traveler, you might be issued a multiple entry visa.                                                      
• Multiple entry visa: this permits you to go in and out of the Schengen area more than once so far you don’t exceed the 90 days in a 180 day period rule. Based on how often you travel to the Schengen zone, you may apply for the 1, 3 or 5 year multiple entry visa.
• Airport visa: to change flights at a Schengen airport, you will need an airport transit visa. It enables you to stop and wait in the International transit area of the Schengen airport for your flight to your destination country. However, this visa does not permit you to leave the international transit area of an airport, even if you have to wait overnight. This visa is only valid for 24hrs. To leave the Schengen area or stay an extra day, you will need to apply for a regular visa.

Visa Processing Time

The Visa process takes about 15 days to process from the date of application so best to apply three weeks before. Although there were several calls and emails to the embassy to confirm these details and no response was received, I will update as soon as I get confirmation from them.

Visa Fees

Schenghen Visa Requirements

Completed Visa Application Form

• Download and print out the application form to fill. If you are visiting more than one Schengen country, apply to the country’s consulate  you’d be spending the most time in and if you’d be spending an equal amount of time, then apply to the consulate of the first country you’d be visiting.

• Two recently taken passport photographs which must be within the last three months
• A valid passport: within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after your intended day to leave EU
• Round trip reservation
• Travel insurance policy
• Proof of accommodation: hotel reservation, an invitation letter (where applicable)
• Evidence of financial means
• Proof of paid visa fee

Along with the documents listed above, some schengen embassies have their specific requirements.Note: Ensure the border officer stamps your passport. An unstamped passport can cause you to be detained or fined.

Where to Apply

VFS Global has been appointed by the Schengen embassies to handle and oversee all Schengen visa applications from Nigeria. However, you will still need to appear at the embassy of your destination for interview & biometrics. You can also apply at the embassies of the Schengen member states.

https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html

France Application Center
Address: Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd floor, Plot 1083 Mohammadu Buhari Way
Central Business District, Abuja-Nigeria.
Website:http:// http://www.france-ng.com/

Netherlands Application Center
Address: Dutch Schengen visa can be applied for at VFS Global in Lagos or Belgian embassy in Abuja.
Website: http://nigeria.nlembassy.org/

Finland Application Center
Address: Embassy of Finland, Nigeria, 9 Iro Dan Musa Street. Asokoro, Abuja
Website: http://www.finlandnigeria.org/

Belgium & Italy Application Center, Lagos
Address: VFS Global, Manor House, Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, (Opposite Treasure Garden Estate, 3rd Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Expressway). Lekki Phase I, Lagos.

Belgium Visa Application Center, Abuja
Address: 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.

Belgium Website :http:// http://www.vfsglobal-be-ng.com/
Italy Website: http://www.italy-ng.com/

Norway Visa Application Center, Abuja
Address: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja. 54, T.Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria.
Website: http://www.emb-norway.com.ng/

Germany Visa Application Center, Lagos

Address: 15 Walter Carrington crescent, Victoria Island , Lagos ,Nigeria.

Website: https://nigeria.diplo.de/

Visa Collection

If your visa is approved, an email and sms notification will be sent to you and you have to pick up in person. The Visa process can take up to three months (90 days).  If your visa gets rejected, you can appeal here:

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/how-to-write-appeal-letter-visa-refusal/

Not Keen On Handling The Schengen Visa Process Yourself?

You can reach out to:

Kahera travels-  kaheratravels@gmail.com or info@kaheraaviation.comWhatsApp : +234 811 945 0866 | Office:+234 90204 74997. Their service starts from N50,000 for individuals and N150,000 for families.

The List will be updated as I find more reliable agents.

Make sure to  print and make photocopies of all documents to be taken along with you to the embassy.

Covid-19 Travel Restriction in Schengen

Entry is theoretically possible from:

• Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are Schengen-affiliated EU member states.
• Additional countries from which entrance may be permitted based on the EU’s epidemiological situation assessment
• Entry from any other nation is only permitted in extraordinary circumstances and only if there is a pressing need.
• A negative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination or recovery from an infection.
• Proof of vaccination
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish
• Learn More

Please leave this field empty

Don’t miss these amazing tips!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Thank you for subscribing!