A lot of people get denials after applying for visas due to lack of adequate information to properly guide them through the process. There are even countless numbers of stories of people who have been swindled by the so-called travel agents who stop at nothing to extort huge amounts from them for something they could have easily done themselves.
Whatever your reason for travelling to a Schengen member country, the best way to apply for your visa is to do it yourself- yea, you heard right, you don’t need anyone to do it for you. You just need the right information which I am about to provide you with.
First, what’s a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen Visa is a kind of Visa that permits you to enter any of its member countries. Some of its member countries include:
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Switzerland
- Malta
- Luxemburg
- Greece
- Italy
- Iceland
- Demark
- Austria
- Belgium
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Czech Republic
- Slovenia
- Hungary
- France
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Germany
- Greece
- Finland
Therefore, if you have a Schengen Visa, you would be permitted to enter into any of the 25 countries listed above.
To apply for a Schengen Visa, you need to do so through the consulate or embassy of any of the countries listed. But before you decide on which embassy to apply from, you need to consider a few things.
- Your main destination-: If for instance, you intend to visit Germany which of course is one of the Schengen member countries, you should apply for your Schengen Visa through the German embassy.
- Length of Stay-: If you are visiting more than one country, say for instance you intend to visit Germany, France and Italy; you need to consider where you intend to stay the longest. If you intend to stay 2 weeks in Germany, 4 weeks in Italy and 6 weeks in France, you should apply for your visa at the embassy of the country where you intend to stay the longest.
- Country of Entry-: If you plan soon staying for equal lengths of time in the Schengen countries you wish to visit or unsure of how long you plan to stay, then the best place to apply for your Schengen Visa is in the embassy of the first Schengencountry you plan to visit.
When to Apply For Your Schengen Visa from Nigeria
Visas are usually issued three months from the intended travel date so the best time to start your application process is at least four months to your intended travel date.
So for instance, if you plan to visit any Schengen country in September, the best time to start processing your visa is in June.
Visa Application Procedure
Step 1: Gather all relevant documents
You need all the necessary documents to proof that you are qualified for a visa, have the financial means to sustain yourself during the visit and have strong ties to your country which would ensure that you return to Nigeria after the visit. Some of the documents you would need include-:
- Bank Statement
- Evidence of strong ties to country. A letter from your employer or title deeds of your house or land would be sufficient.
- Letter of Invitation from the person you intend to visit.
- Hotel Reservation.
- Invitation from company/business contact in case of business travel.
- Medical Insurance Policy
- Guarantor’sdeclaration.
- Valid International Passport.
Step 2: Obtain Application Form and Fill It
When you are sure that you have all the necessary documents, the next thing to do is to carefully fill out the application form. Questions you would be asked range from reasons for travel, financial strength and ties to home country.
Submit Application Form
When you are done filling the form, you can then submit to the embassy where you have decided to make your application and wait patiently for their verdict.
This may take time as each Schengen country has its own rules for entering its country and this might elongate the process of visa application but as long as you meet all the requirements and provide all the supporting documents listed above, you can be sure to get your visa approved.
I ,my wife and two children have travelled to USA on three occasions from Nigeria on holiday . What is the chance of getting a Schengen visa won holiday?
I want to apple a visa to Switzerland .what process will it take me to get the visa .
are you with the required documents or you also need help based on that
I need ur guidance i applied for schengen visa last year during Christmas bt didn’t worrk out i applied through italy embassy bt thank God dey didn’t stamp anything on my passport bt na am trying to reapply again so i don’t knw the easiest country to apply from nd my passport is still virgin
Hello I’m kelechi,I have a virgine passport and I want to apply for a Schengen visa to Netherland can someone direct me on how to do that
are you with the required documents or you also need help based on that
hello,
i jut read your post about schengen visa, please where is Latvia embassy in Nigeria?
hello! if i need to travel to rotterdam next week, is it too late to apply?
I have valid but virgin passport. Please I need your guide on how to go about it. I want to apply for a schengen visitors visa through netherlands embassy and have a friend who will invite and take care of both accommodation and my welfare. Please I need help.
Thank you
I have valid but virgin passport. Please I need your guide on how to go about it. I want to apply for a schengen visitors visa through netherlands embassy and have a friend who will invite and take care of both accommodation and my welfare. Please I need help.
Thank you
My visa application interview was on Friday, August 5, 2016. Will the German Embassy in Lagos notify me when my passport is ready for collection? I have not heard from the embassy and I did not submit a pre-paid courier envelope for its collection. What do I do?
Thank you.
*where you given a pickup date on the white slip given to you?
*They usally don’t allow pickups this new days that’s why they invented the prepaid courier services,it’s mandatory that you drop a prepaid courier envelop
*After the 14th day of your visa interview you should start to worry, & contact the embassy as soon as you can to find out why your visa is been delay…
Only the embassy can tell you what to do…
Pls, I have a boss who is a genuine British Passport holder but need a Schengen Visa out of choice with his Nigeria passort.
Kindly advice the best way to go about it.
Best Regards
Good day my name is Chidi, please I need a Shanghai visa to travel to Luxemburg how do I do it my Pasiport is vergin
M palnning on going for Vacation to any of the above Schengen countries. How do i go about it?
pls i want to apply for schengen visa through Germany embassy. firstly, i have a family friend inviting me, who will take care of my expenses during my stay. and secondly, my passport is valid but virgin. what are the things(Documents) i have to put together for the fillings? thanks.
pls help me with visa application fees for shengen visa, I want to apply through France embassy.
Pls i was denied in us embassy, can i reaply immediately? My passport is still virgin
.
The instruction on how to register or fill the form for the Schengen visa is not clear. I have tried, but it is not working. Even the site is rejecting date of birth etc irrespective of following the guideline given there. I need to know exactly how to register and fill the visa form because I need to be in Poland next month end …. time seems to be running out.
i already sent you a mail ,
Great article! This is really something what i really need for my visa application. need to fill out a “Schengen Visa Application form”
Christy,
There is no harm in trials. I used to work with Franch Embassy. I can guide you.let me know how to help by contacting me alphaxco@gail.com
Thanks for the informations. I really appreciate. Please I need your guide. I want to travel to france and Germany. Hope you reply.
Thanks
ARPUE
Good day,please kindly guild me.i wish to travel to Germany on tourism but i was made known that it wont be easy to get as my passport is virgin. i am thinking of going through the schengen country embassy in Nigeria like Greece and from there i can connect to Germany. please kindly guild me on this and clue of any better embassy to apply through because i wish to do it my.
i do not have a company of own. and no properties as a proof of tiess to Nigeria.
Thank you.