Are you on your way to Europe and require a Schengen visa? There are 26 European countries that necessitate this visa – from Italy and France to Sweden and even Iceland. There are little or even no passport control between these countries and you can travel around with your Schengen visa for up to 90 days.

However, before you start with the application process you need to of course ensure that you have a valid South African passport. As soon as you applied at Home Affairs, it may take as quickly as ten days to receive your passport. It is safer though to allow as much time as possible for the application process. Unlike as was done in the past, temporary passports are also not issued anymore. You can trace your nearest Home Affairs office by having a look at this list. Your passport still needs to be valid for three months after your date of return. Another important requirement is that your passport must have two valid, empty and consecutive visa pages for stamps.

List of Schengen countries

As soon as your passport is in order you need to determine if you will need a Schengen visa. Here is the list of countries that necessitate Schengen visas.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxemburg
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

You might also possibly require a Schengen visa when travelling to one of France’s colonial areas, including Saint Martin, Réunion and New Caledonia.

The application process

If you are only visiting one country it is quite evident at which embassy you must apply. But what if you are planning on visiting more than one country? Then you will need to apply at the embassy of the country where you will be spending the majority of your time. However, if you will be spending more or less the same amount of time in the different countries, apply at the embassy of the country that you will be visiting first.

Requirements of embassies may differ, but most require the following documentation:

1. South African passport.
2. Copy of your plane ticket.
3. Proof of residence during your visit (hotel reservations or if you stay over at a friend, a letter confirming it).
4. Proof of permanent residence.
5. Letter from your employer confirming your employment.
6. Three months bank statements.
7. Proof of medical travel insurance.
8. Two colour photos complying with these requirements.

Contact the relevant embassy or go and have a look on their website to find out what form you need to complete. Most embassies accept this form. You will be able to electronically make an appointment on the embassy’s website, or if not, you can contact them. Try to schedule your appointment at least 15 days before you depart.

During your appointment they will ask to collect your biometrical data (photos and fingerprints). You make the payment and they take your passport. The embassy will then send you an SMS or phone you when your passport is ready for collection. You will need to collect your passport yourself and have your identity document at hand; alternatively you can assign someone to collect the passport on your behalf. You will subsequently need to take with you that person’s ID, your own ID and a letter in which you give permission to the person to collect the passport on your behalf.

Please note that the regulations of embassies frequently change, especially with increased security requirements relating to Europe, and that is why it is safer to contact them directly when the process starts. Even though a visa application takes on average 15 days, it can even take as long as three months. It is therefore important that you start the process as quickly as possible as soon as your accommodation and plane ticket have been booked.

According to a recent study, the biggest reason why South Africans are being refused Schengen visas is the fact that they are not providing sufficient proof that they are planning on returning to South Africa. Furthermore it indicates that 65% of South Africans are of the opinion that the costs relating to visas are excessive, while 33% are requested to also include marriage certificates with their applications.

May your visa application run smoothly; enjoy your travels!