What are the Types of Schengen Visa Entry?

Types of Schengen Visa Entry

According to the purpose of traveling 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. Airport transit visa is mandatory for the 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:

3 Types of Entry

o          Single-entry visa,

o          Double-entry visa and

o          Multiple-entry visa.

You can apply for single, double, or multiple entries into the Schengen Area. You will find your number of permitted entries on your visa sticker.

1. Single Entry – A single-entry Schengen visa allows you to cross an external Schengen border to enter the Schengen Area only once in the 180-day period in which your visa is valid.

Single entry will be indicated on your visa sticker like this: “Number of Entries 1."

2. Double Entry – A double-entry Schengen visa allows you to cross an external Schengen border to enter the Schengen Area up to two times in the 180-day period in which your visa is valid.

Double entry will be indicated on your visa sticker like this: “Number of Entries 2.”

3. Multi-Entry – A multi-entry Schengen visa allows you to cross an external Schengen border to enter the Schengen Area multiple times in the period in which your visa is valid.

Multiple entries will be indicated on your visa sticker like this: “Number of Entries MULT.”

More on Multi-Entry Schengen Visas

General Requirements

According to Article 21(5) of Regulation 810/2009 (Visa Code), you may be eligible for a multi-entry Schengen visa if you prove:

•           “the need or justify the intention to travel frequently and/or regularly,”

•           “your integrity and reliability, in particular the lawful use of previous uniform visas or visas with limited territorial validity,”

•           “your economic situation in the country of origin,” and

•           “your genuine intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa for which you have applied.”

If you are deemed eligible for a multi-entry Schengen visa, you can expect your Schengen visa to be valid for a period between 6 months and 5 years. The validity period depends on the issuing state’s regulations and your qualifications.