11 Schengen Visa Types for Short-term Travel Purpose

Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose, Requirements, Validity, Validity Extension, Duration of Stay for Short term Schengen Visa Types – Transit, Airport Transit, Tourism, Visiting Family or Friends, Business, Journalists & Reporters, Official Visit, Study, Training, Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa, Religious Visit/Religious Purposes, Medical.

Transit, Airport Transit, Tourism, Visiting Family or Friends, Business, Journalists & Reporters, Official Visit, Study, Training, Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa, Religious Visit/Religious Purposes, Medical Travel Purpose, Requirements, Validity, Validity Extension, Duration of Stay for Short term Schengen Visa Types.

Schengen Visa Types Images/Photos: 6. A sample of partially-revealed Schengen Visa. Image credit: Schengen Visa

In this Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose in EU Visa, Migration and Travel log post titled: ‘Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose, Requirements, Validity, Validity Extension, Duration of Stay for Short term Schengen Visa Types – Transit, Airport Transit, Tourism, Visiting Family or Friends, Business, Journalists & Reporters, Official Visit, Study, Training, Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa, Religious Visit/Religious Purposes, Medical’, you shall find:

Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose

• Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose Requirements
• How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Travel Purpose (Short-term)

Short-term Schengen Visa Types According to Travel Purpose

• Schengen Transit Visa
• Schengen Airport Transit Visa
• Schengen Tourism Visa
• Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa
• Schengen Business Visa
• Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa
• Schengen Official Visit Visa
• Schengen Training Visa
• Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa
• Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa
• Schengen Medical Visa

Short Term Schengen Visa Types & Travel Purpose Categories

Short Term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose Validity

• Schengen Transit Visa Validity
• Schengen Airport Transit Visa Validity
• Schengen Tourism Visa Validity
• Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa Validity
• Schengen Business Visa Validity
• Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa Validity
• Schengen Official Visit Visa Validity
• Schengen Medical reasons Visa Validity
• Schengen Study Purposes Visa Validity
• Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa Validity
• Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa Validity

Schengen Visa Types Duration of Stay

• Short-term Travel Purpose Schengen Visa Types Duration of Stay
• Difference between Visa Validity and Duration of Stay

Schengen Visa Types Extension

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Schengen Visa Types – Categories, Validity, Duration & Extension of Stay, and Requirements

Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose, Requirements, Validity, Validity Extension, Duration of Stay for Short term Schengen Visa Types – Transit, Airport Transit, Tourism, Visiting Family or Friends, Business, Journalists & Reporters, Official Visit, Study, Training, Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa, Religious Visit/Religious Purposes, Medical.

Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose

Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose. Schengen Visa Types Photos/Images: 1. A photo of a display of 3 different types of Schengen visas and a passport issued. Photo credit: Unsplash.

What is the Purpose of Travel for Short-term Schengen Visa Types?

Short-term Schengen visa types – travel purpose refers to Schengen short stay visa to Europe based on the purpose of travel.

To apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to Europe, depending on the purpose of your travel and nationality, requires putting together your travel plan, how many days you plan to be and the countries you are going to visit (if more than one) in the Schengen zone.

Short-term Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose Requirements

Having figured out your travel plans, then you need to review all the Schengen visa types to Europe and the visa application requirements you need to fulfil and start the process of setting up a visa appointment and interviewment at one of the Schengen consulates in your country.

To gain entry into the area using Schengen visa with any visa type, you will have to present several documents at the Schengen port of entry as part of the Schengen visa types requirements if you are a national from the list of eligible countries for Schengen countries (that is, if you are a national of one of the third countries needing a Schengen visa), regardless if you are a visa-exempt or not.

The Schengen visa documents you need to provide when entering the Schengen area are as follows:

• Valid Passport. Issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
• Schengen Visa. .

Apart from these general Schengen visa types – travel purpose requirements, there are additional specific Schengen visa requirements for short-term travel purpose visas

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Travel Purpose (Short-term)

In checking how to apply for a Schengen Visa for the travel purpose (short-term), an applicant fills out the Schengen Visa application form (downloaded online) as he or she is required to select a purpose for why he or she is applying to enter the Schengen territory and the provides the Schengen visa requirement documents needed to validate the application as part of the process. The following shows the Schengen Visa types as well as purpose of travel.

Short-term Schengen Visa Types According to Travel Purpose

Schengen Transit Visa

What is Schengen Transit Visa?

Schengen Transit Visa is another Schengen Visa application form for an EU country travel, but in this case, is mostly for foreign seafarers, who only need to stop for very short periods by the seaport of one of the member states

Schengen Transit Visa Requirements

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen Transit Visa include

• Proof of accommodation during your transit in the Schengen Area
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Schengen Area
• Proof of Intention to Leave the Schengen Area: You may be required to demonstrate that you have no intention of staying in the Schengen Area beyond your transit period. This can include showing a confirmed ticket to your final destination outside the Schengen Area.

Schengen Airport Transit Visa

One of the Schengen Visa application form for an EU country is through Airport Transit.

What is Schengen Airport Transit Visa?

Schengen Airport Transit Visa is travel through the international zone of a Schengen Country Airport without entering the Schengen Country.

Schengen Airport Transit Visa Requirements

A valid visa document (if needed) for the final country one is travelling to and The flight ticket for the final country you are travelling to (for an Airport Transit Visa).

Schengen Tourism Visa

Schengen Tourism/Visiting & Joining Spouse Visa: Schengen Visa Types Images/Photos: 3. A photo medium shot smiley couple with phone with Schengen tourism visa. Photo credit: Freepik.https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/medium-shot-smiley-couple-with-phone_22849823.htm#

What is Schengen Tourism Visa?

Schengen Tourism Visa is for sightseeing and Schengen Visa application form for tourism makes sense to individuals who wants to experience and appreciate cultural heritage, architecture, foods and others in the countries.

Schengen Tourism Visa Requirements

Required Schengen visa documents when applying for tourism (a tourist visa) are:

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa for tourism purposes are:

• Bank statement. Preferably for the last 6 months.
• Affidavit of Support (as described above)
• Travel Itinerary. The applicant’s description of his trip, the purpose of travelling, the time frame and all the personal date written down in a letter, as well as hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident of a Schengen country.

Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa

What is Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa?

Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa is for people who have family members or friends legally residing in the Schengen area and they can check how to apply for Schengen Visa for Visiting Family or Friends and apply.

Schengen Visiting Family and Friends Visa Requirements

Required Schengen visa documents when applying for a visit to a relative or a friend are:

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa to visit relatives/friends are:

• Affidavit of Support. “Official affidavit of support” is a document signed by the visiting friends or relatives at the corresponding office in his/her place of residence in the absence of the applicant’s bank account or lack of funds for care expenses during the stay in the Schengen country.
• Travel Itinerary. The applicant’s description of their trip, the purpose of travelling, the time frame and all the personal date written down in a letter.
• Means of Subsistence. Means of subsistence is a formal document staying the covering of all the travel expenses if the relative/friend is to cover the applicant’s expenses evidenced as a proof of financial status
• Letter of Invitation. Letter of invitation is a visa application document obtained by a relative/friend residing in a Schengen country if the applicant will be covering the expenses on his/her own.

Schengen Join-spouse Family Visa Requirements

The additional required Schengen visa documents to obtain a Schengen visa to join a Spouse residing in the EU are two application forms, the original certified copy of the marital certificate, and a copy of the spouse’s passport, if he/she is an EU citizen or a copy of the residency permit will be required if the spouse is not an EU citizen, but only lives in a Schengen country.

Schengen Business Visa

Schengen Visa Types: Schengen Business Visa. Schengen Visa Types Images/Photos: 2. An image of a businessman hurrying to board a flight for a business trip to Schengen zone. Image credit: BTW Visa Services. 

What is Schengen Business Visa?

Schengen Visa application form is available Schengen Business Visa for business people to find out how to apply for Schengen Visa – Business. Schengen Business Visa is for travel to the Schengen countries for business purposes.

Schengen Visa Requirements for a Business Visa

• While the following documents are required when applying for Schengen Business Visa: For employees:
  • Employment contract.
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.
  • Leave permission from the employer.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
• For the self-employed:
  • A copy of your business license.
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR), you can find the list of required documents to obtain a Business Schengen visa

The following documents are required for a Business Schengen visa application:

1. Visa application form.
2. A valid passport.
3. Travel insurance policy.
4. Proof of accommodation. This can be one of the following:

• Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip
• Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.

5. A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship, explaining the purpose of the visit to the Schengen country, written by the partner company in the Schengen zone, also faxed to the corresponding consulate.It must be stated either in the employer’s letter or the partner company’s invitation that one of both parties will be covering the applicant’s travel expenses during his/her stay in the Schengen Zone.

Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa

What is Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa?

Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa is a type of Schengen Business Visa or Work Visa issued for journalistic purposes. Journalists who obtain Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa can work in Schengen counties.

Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa Requirements

You can find the list of required documents to obtain a Journalists & Reporters Schengen visa

Schengen Official Visit Visa

What is Schengen Official Visit Visa?

Schengen Official Visit Visa is for the purpose of travelling with a delegate on official visit to the Schengen countries

Individuals wishing to apply for the Schengen Official Visit Visa will have to tick “Official Visit” in their application form (even online too) if you are travelling to the Schengen Area on official duty.

Schengen Official Visit Visa Requirements

Required documents for Schengen Official Visit Visa are sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, how long you intend to stay, round-trip airline ticket, the purpose of your entry, travel insurance, invitation letter, etc, in addition to the the completed visa application form and passport photos.

Schengen Study Purposes Visa – Short-term

Schengen Student-Study Visa: Schengen Visa Types: Images/Photos: 5. An image photo of two cheerful (male and female students) interacting). Image photo credit: IaM Immigration and Migration. 

What is Schengen Study Purposes Visa?

Schengen Study Purposes Visa is for students seeking to study in any Schengen countries. A student having a Schengen Study Purposes Visa could attend any type of educational institutions, as university courses, language courses and other, for a period shorter than three months, can apply for a Schengen study visa.

Schengen Student/Study Visa Requirements

The additional required visa documents to obtain a Schengen Student visa are:

• Two application forms instead of one.
• Letter of acceptance at an EU University/College/School.
• Proof of financial means. Documents that show one is able to reside and financially maintain him/herself during their stay in the Schengen area.

Schengen Training Visa

What is Schengen Training Visa?

Schengen Training Visa refers to a visa for the purpose of attending training or educational programs in the Schengen Area, it typically falls under the Schengen Short Stay Visa category, specifically for either study or official visit travel purposes.

Schengen Training Visa Requirements

The additional required Schengen training visa documents to obtain a Schengen Training visa are:

• Enrollment certificate. At an eligible institution for the courses, one will be attending in the Schengen country.
• No objection letter.  NOC from the educational institution where the visa applicant is currently enrolled (if applicable).

Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa

What is Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa?

Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa is for people living outside of the Schengen area, wishing to travel to Europe for the purpose of attending a Cultural / Sports / Religious Event and Film Crews. Applicants for Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa should be part of the event.

Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa

What is Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa?

Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa is the Schengen visa issued for religious purposes.

Schengen Visa option in the application form (online) could be for any other reason including for religious visit/religious purposes.

If your purpose of entry to the Schengen Area does not match any of the purposes given above, you will have to tick the “Other” option in the application form. However, you will still need to specify the reason behind your application is. You will have the chance to do so in a short simple sentence, at most. I.e. if wish to enter any of the member states to attend a religious event or something similar, you can write “Religious Visit” or “Religious Purposes”.

Schengen Cultural, Sports or Religious Events in Europe Visa Requirements

The additional required visa documents to obtain a Schengen visa for Cultural, Sports or Religious events are:

• Event Information. I.e. invitation letters, entry tickets, enrollment conditions, detailed programme and other documents that present relevant information about the event.
• Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners’ certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).

Schengen Medical Visa

What is Schengen Medical Visa?

A Schengen visa for medical reasons allows individuals to travel to the Schengen Area for medical treatment or consultation. The validity will be determined based on the duration of the treatment or consultation required.

Schengen Medical reasons Visa is for seeking medical attention form a Schengen country. Travellers from the list of countries for ‘Schengen Visa Countries’ should select ‘medical reasons’ in your application form while completing it online.

Schengen Medical Visa Requirements

The additional required Schengen visa documents to obtain a Schengen Medical visa are:

• A letter from a doctor/clinic/hospital in the home country of the visa candidate, that he or she needs medical treatment.
• Official confirmation of the treatment/appointment by the receiving medical institution (hospital/clinic) in the EU.
• Proof of financial means. Proof that the applicant has sufficient financial means to pay the medical expenses and other related expenses throughout their treatment. This can be one of the following:
  • Bank statements.
  • Letter of sponsorship form the sponsor including the bank statements
  • Proof of advance payments of the treatment to the medical institution and bank statement showing he or she can take care of other related expenses.
  • Verbal note from the Ministry of Health of applicant’s home country – which must declare the preparedness of the relevant government of the applicant’s home country to cover his medical treatment costs if the medical treatment is to be covered by the Government of the home country of the applicant).

Short Term Schengen Visa Types & Travel Purpose Categories

According to the purpose of travelling the Uniform Schengen Visa applies to all of the two categories, “A” and “C”.

• “A” category stands for the Airport Transit Visa which allows its holder to travel through the international zone of the Schengen country Airport without entering the Schengen Area. An airport transit visa is mandatory for citizens travelling from one non-Schengen state to another non-Schengen state through a change of flights in a Schengen country airport.
• “C” category stands for a Short-term visa which allows its holder to reside in a Schengen Area for a certain period of time depending on the visa validity. This particular category, according to the holder’s purpose of the travel can be obtained in a form of:
  • Single-entry visa,
  • Double-entry visa and
  • Multiple-entry visa.

If you are planning to apply for one of Schengen travel, airport transit, tourism, visiting family or friends, business, journalists & reporters, official visit, training, cultural, sports and film crews, religious visit/religious purposes, and medical visas to the Schengen countries, you would generally apply for a Schengen Short Stay (Short-term) Visa (Type C Visa) stating your travel purposes.

Short Term Schengen Visa Types Travel Purpose Validity

Schengen Visa Types – Travel Purpose Validity. Schengen Visa Types Images/Photos: 4. An image photo of a three months (16/09/16 to 11/12/16) valid Schengen visa issued to a traveler. Image photo credit: Visa Traveler.

Schengen Transit Visa Validity

The validity of the Schengen Transit Visa is usually limited to the duration of the transit.

Schengen Airport Transit Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Airport Transit Visa is usually limited to a short period, typically for a few days.

Schengen Tourism Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Tourism Visa is the validity of a tourism visa, also known as a Schengen Visitor Visa or a Short-term Visa, can vary. Typically, it allows for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The specific duration will be indicated on the visa sticker.

Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa Validity

Similar to the Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa, the validity of a visiting family or friends visa allows for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Schengen Business Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Business Visa can vary but is typically aligned with the specific business activities and the duration required.

Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa will be determined based on the assignment or event they are covering.

Schengen Official Visit Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Official Visit Visa will be determined based on the purpose and duration of the visit.

Schengen Medical reasons Visa Validity

The validity of the Schengen Medical reasons Visa will be determined based on the duration of the treatment or consultation required.

Schengen Study Purposes Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Study Purposes Visa depends on the duration of the study program. A student having a Schengen Study Purposes Visa could attend any type of educational institutions, as university courses, language courses and other, for a period shorter than three months, can check how to apply for a Schengen Visa for study.

Schengen Training Visa Validity

The validity of Schengen Study Purposes Visa depends on the duration of the training program.

Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa Validity

The validity of the Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa will be determined based on the duration of the event or production.

Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa

The validity of the Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa will be determined based on the specific religious event or purpose of the visit.

In general, the validity of Schengen Tourism Visa and Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa is a maximum period of 90 days (three months) within 180 days (six months), but the validity of Schengen Airport Transit Visa, Schengen Transit Visa, Schengen Business Visa, Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa, Schengen Official Visit Visa, Schengen Medical reasons Visa, Schengen Training Visa, Schengen Student/Study Purposes Visa, Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa and Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa are all not fixed and depend on the duration and purpose of travel and visit.

Schengen Visa Types Duration of Stay

Schengen Visa Types Duration of Stay is the maximum of days you are permitted to remain in the Schengen. The first day you enter Schengen is counted as “Day 1 whereas, the “Last Day” is counted as the day you leave Schengen.

Short-term Travel Purpose Schengen Visa Types Duration of Stay

The duration of stay of the following Schengen Visas: Schengen Airport Transit Visa, Schengen Transit Visa, Schengen Tourism Visa, Schengen Visiting Family or Friends Visa Schengen Business Visa, Schengen Journalists & Reporters Visa, Schengen Official Visit Visa, Schengen Medical reasons Visa, Schengen Training Visa, Schengen Study Purposes Visa, Schengen Cultural, Sports and Film Crews Visa and Schengen Religious Visit/Religious Purposes Visa are applicable to their validities.

Difference between Visa Validity and Duration of Stay

Aside from a multiple-entry visa, which enables you to remain in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 days period, the validity of your single-entry visa or double-entry visa depends on the embassy. The embassy appoints the number of days you are permitted to stay in any of the Schengen countries, as well as the first date you are permitted to enter Schengen and the last day that you are permitted to remain.

Schengen Visa Types Extension

Short-stay Schengen visa extensions are permitted by the regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EC) No. 810/2009 of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Journal of Laws of the EU of 2009 L243/1). However, you will have a very low chance to get one, if you do not have a strong reason as the basis of your application.

According to the Schengen visa policy, acceptable reasons to extend a Schengen short-stay visa are only the following:

• Late Entry
• Humanitarian Reasons
• Force Majeure
• Important Personal Reasons

For more information, read How to Extend a Schengen Visa?

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Schengen visa types:

• Airport Transit
• Transit
• Tourism
• Visiting Family or Friends
• Business
• Journalists & Reporters
• Official Visit
• Medical reasons
• Study Purposes
• Cultural, Sports and Film Crews

• Transit Visa
• Tourism Visa
• Visa for Visiting Family or Friends
• Business Visa
• Visa for Journalists
• Visa for Culture and Sports activities
• Visa for Official Visits
• Study Visa
• Visa for Medical Reasons

• Business purposes.
• Visiting friends and family.
• Tourism and holidays.
• Cultural and sports events.
• Airport transit and transit for seafarers.
• Short-term study and research purposes. 

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