What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is made up of 29 European countries that have removed border checks between them, so one visa lets you travel across all of them. The latest full members are Bulgaria and Romania, since 1 January 2025.
Members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
A short-stay Schengen visa allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Kuwaiti citizens: the 5-year multiple-entry visa
Since 8 September 2023, the European Commission applies more favourable rules to Kuwaiti nationals: eligible applicants — including first-time travellers — can be issued a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for five years. If your passport expires sooner, the visa ends three months before the passport's expiry date.
Note: full visa-free travel for Kuwaitis is still in progress and is not yet in force, so a visa is still required. Residents of Kuwait holding other nationalities follow the general rules for their nationality.
Schengen visa fees 2026
| Applicant | Embassy fee |
|---|---|
| Adults (12 years and over) | €90 |
| Children aged 6–12 | €45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
A service fee charged by the visa application centre (such as VFS or TLS) is added and varies by embassy. We confirm the full amount before you apply.
When to apply and processing time
- Apply no earlier than 6 months before your trip.
- Apply at least 15 days before you travel.
- Standard processing takes 15 days and can be extended to 45 days if the embassy needs more documents.
💡 Tip: appointments fill up before summer and holidays — book early.
Which embassy should you apply to?
Apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the longest time. If your stays are equal, apply to the country you will enter first. Applying to the wrong embassy is a common reason for refusal — we confirm the right one based on your itinerary.
Basic document checklist
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area, with two blank pages.
- Completed and signed visa application form.
- Recent passport photo meeting the required specifications.
- Travel medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation, with at least €30,000 coverage.
- Return flight reservation and hotel booking or invitation letter.
- Recent bank statement and salary certificate or proof of employment.
- For residents: Civil ID and valid residence permit.
Each embassy may ask for extra documents depending on the visa type — we prepare the exact list for yours.
Fingerprints, EES and ETIAS
Your fingerprints are taken when you apply at the visa centre. Since 10 April 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational at Schengen borders: it records your facial image and fingerprints electronically instead of stamping your passport (children under 12 are not fingerprinted).
ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026, is a travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationalities only — it does not replace a visa for travellers who need one.
Common refusal reasons and how to avoid them
- Missing or inconsistent documents: check every item against the list before your appointment.
- Weak bank statement or sudden deposits: provide a regular statement covering several months.
- Unclear purpose of travel: keep your itinerary and bookings consistent with your leave dates.
- Insurance that doesn't meet the rules: confirm the coverage amount and the full travel dates.
- Applying to the wrong embassy: follow the longest-stay or first-entry rule.
How our office helps
We prepare your complete file — photos, flight reservation, proof of accommodation, bank statement, insurance and invitation letter — book your embassy appointment and follow up until you receive your passport. We also handle visas for the UK, USA, Canada, Turkey and GCC countries.
Call or WhatsApp 98951133 — we reply within minutes.