Important information
A Type C visa lets you stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period from your first entry. You can apply for single, double or multiple entry.
Schengen Visa (Short-Stay, Type C) requirements
- You are a third-country national who needs a visa to enter the Schengen area
- Your visit is 90 days or fewer in any 180-day period
- You can show the purpose of your trip, your accommodation and your funds
- You hold travel health insurance covering at least €30,000 across all Schengen countries
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What is a Schengen Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)?
A short-stay Schengen visa lets you travel across the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It is the most common Schengen visa, issued for purposes other than immigration.
Who is eligible?
- Tourists and people visiting family or friends
- Business travellers
- People attending cultural, sports or religious events
- People on short study or a journalistic assignment
What you can do with a Schengen Visa (Short-Stay, Type C)
- TourismHolidays and sightseeing across the Schengen area.
- BusinessAttend meetings, conferences and business events.
- Visiting family or friendsStay with family or friends in the Schengen area.
- Culture, sport & religionAttend cultural, sporting or religious events.
- Short studyShort courses within the 90-day limit.
Processing time
How long a decision usually takes.
Standard processing is 15 working days from submission, though it can extend to about 30 days in peak season and, in rare cases, up to 60 days.
Visa length
How long you can stay on this visa.
Documents required
- Completed Schengen visa application form
- Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your trip)
- Residence permit if applying outside your country of nationality
- Passport photo (35mm x 45mm, taken within 3 months)
- Return travel reservation
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel health insurance covering at least €30,000 in all Schengen countries
- Proof of financial means (last 3 months' bank statements)
People also asked
What is a short-stay Schengen visa?
It lets you travel across the Schengen nations for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; your visa may be valid for a set period that can be shorter than 90 days.
What's the difference between a Schengen visa and a national visa?
A Schengen visa lets you travel to any of the 27 Schengen countries; a national (Type D) visa only allows travel to the country that issued it.
What if my application is refused?
You won’t be able to travel to the Schengen countries; you may be able to appeal, though appeals are not always successful.
What are the types of Schengen visa?
Short-stay (Type C) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and long-stay (Type D) for stays over 90 days.
Official sources