What is a long-term Schengen visa and how to get it?

People begin the hassle of obtaining permission to enter the Schengen countries for work, education, for personal reasons, with tourist intentions. The purpose and duration of the trip determine the category of Schengen visas. It is important to correctly determine the type of document, correctly fill out the questionnaire, and plan the deadlines.

Format of permits

A short-term visa C is issued for a planned stay in the Schengen area up to 90 days within six months. Grounds for issuance - tourism, meeting with relatives, friends, educational courses, business negotiations, seasonal work. Visa C can be single, double, multiple, which determines the number of visits within the period specified in the permit.

A long-term or national visa D allows you to stay in the state for more than 90 days, counting from the date of entry. The deadline is determined by the consulate of the state that issues the permit. Visa D can also be single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry.

To obtain a long-term visa, it is desirable that the applicant has a previous visa opened in the last 2-3 years. However, its presence is not a guarantee of a positive decision on a national visa.

C and D visas: what are the differences?

The differences between short-term and long-term visa categories are as follows:

• D-visas allow staying in the state for more than three months, category C visas - up to 90 days;
• a long-term residence permit can be extended while in the state, apply for a residence permit or permanent residence on its basis. It is not possible to extend a short-stay visa or request a residence permit based on it;
• D-visa holders have the right to stay in the Schengen countries for three months within six months. A short-term visa obliges you to spend most of the time in the country that issued the entry permit;
• obtaining a national visa is a more complex and lengthy process than obtaining a short-term permit. Each state determines the rules, requirements for questionnaires and applicants, the amount of the consular fee, the list of documents in its own way, but within the framework of international legislative norms.

The basic set of papers for obtaining a national visa includes a foreign and internal passport, a completed application form, a photo of the established sample, evidence of solvency and purpose of the trip, and medical insurance. The set of documents must be specified at the embassy of the country where the applicant intends to go for a long time.

Certain categories of citizens may apply for a long-term Schengen visa.

Grounds for obtaining a long-term visa

Applications for a national D visa are submitted by:

• for family reunification;
• if you intend to work or receive education in a Schengen country;
• for scientific research;
• for internships, study at language courses.

Some states, for example, the Baltic countries, issue a national visa, if this does not contradict international legal norms and is in the public interest, due to humanitarian considerations or compelling circumstances.

A short-term Schengen visa can be issued to visit family or friends, a business trip, for medical purposes, for tourism.

What a Schengen visa holder should know

After receiving a positive decision, you need to carefully check all the data. The applicant's passport number must match the number on the visa sticker. Departure dates and visa start/end dates must not be inconsistent. The number of entries requested (one, two, many) must match the number indicated on the sticker. The name and surname of the applicant must be written in the same way as in the passport.

If there are discrepancies, errors, you should definitely contact the consulate for correction.

A Schengen visa for a short period gives the right to travel within the countries of the zone, but does not mean automatic entry. At checkpoints, they may require documents, ask how long you have arrived, how much money you have. Such actions of border control officers are legal. If the result of the check does not satisfy the representatives of the control, they may refuse entry.