1. Tourist, Business, and Social Visits (C-Type)
This is the most common application category, used for vacations, business trips, or family/friend visits.
Tourist Schengen Visa: Used for vacations, cultural trips, city tours, European tours, and individual travel. Your travel plan, accommodation details, transportation plan, and financial situation are important elements of this application.
Business Schengen Visa: Used for business meetings, company negotiations, trade fairs, congresses, seminars, and visits to business partners. An invitation letter and company documents can play an important role.
Family and Friend Visit Visa: For those wishing to visit family members or friends living in the Schengen Area. An invitation letter, the host's residence details, and documents showing the relationship may be requested; requirements can vary by consulate.
2. Education and Exchange Programs
Schengen Student Visa: Used for short-term education programs, summer schools, or language courses. Requires a school admission letter, program details, proof of financial means, and an accommodation plan. Long-term education may require the relevant country's D-Type national visa.
Erasmus and Exchange Program Visas: For students participating in Erasmus and other exchange programs between European universities; requires an acceptance letter, university correspondence, grant/scholarship documents, and financial documents.
3. Trade Fairs, Health, Cultural, and Sports Events
Trade Fair and Congress Visa: Applications for international trade fairs, congresses, trade organizations, and professional events are generally evaluated under the Business Schengen Visa category. Participation certificates and invitation letters support the application.
Health Visa: For people traveling for short-term medical treatment; requires hospital correspondence, a treatment plan, appointment documents, and proof of financial means.
Cultural and Sports Event Visas: For artists, athletes, and people attending concerts, festivals, sporting competitions, or scientific events.
Transit Visa: May be required in some cases for passengers traveling through Schengen countries to another destination; the requirement depends on nationality, the transit country, and the travel route.
4. Long-Term Stays (D-Type National Visa)
The D-Type Visa is issued to people who will stay in one of the Schengen countries for reasons such as long-term education, employment, family reunification, or residence, and is evaluated directly under that country's national legislation. University education, long-term employment, family reunification, and residence permits are among the situations that call for a D-Type National Visa.