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Student Schengen Visa: Everything You Need to Know

 

Europe has become a coveted destination for Indian students who wish to study abroad. In 2022 alone, more than 50,000 Indian students have gone to Europe for academic purposes. Over 300 universities situated across 44 European countries were marked by the presence of Indian students last year.

Thanks to its world-class universities, robust education system, and variety of courses, a large number of students are opting for short-term courses in Europe these days- this is where a Student Schengen Visa comes into the picture.    

If you are planning for an enriching academic experience of less than three months in Europe, a Schengen Visa is what you need. In this blog, we will delve deep into this visa, eligibility criteria, application process, finances, and more.

Let’s get exploring!

What is the Student Schengen Visa?


The Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries that follow a common visa policy. These member countries have no internal border controls or passport checks at mutual borders. Studying in these countries for more than 90 days requires this visa.

A Student Schengen Visa is a short-stay (Type-C) Europe study visa. Based on the student's requirements, the visa permits them to enter, travel, and stay in any member country of the Schengen Area.


Schengen Member Countriesstudent schengen visa

 

 

Austria

Liechtenstein

Belgium

Denmark

Croatia

Spain

Hungary

Malta

Lithuania 

Netherlands

Estonia

Poland

Slovenia

Norway

France

Portugal

Germany

Slovakia

Greece

Finland

Czech Republic

Luxembourg 

Latvia

Sweden

Iceland

Switzerland

Italy

 
 

This visa is valid for up to three months within a six months period. It is open to any student who isn’t a citizen of the Schengen Area. Further, the student's home country should not have signed a visa-free agreement with any of the Schengen member countries.
 

Eligibility Criteria for the Student Schengen Visa

Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria and requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa for students:


Eligibility Criteria
 

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • You must be residing in the country from where you are applying for the visa.

  • Your passport should have a validity of 12 months after your scheduled return date.

  • You must possess an official letter of acceptance from the EU university/college/school where you will be studying.

  • You should have the financial means to cover all your expenses of travel and stay in the Schengen Area.

 

Documents Required

Given below is a compiled list of the documents you need to have to apply for this visa.

Passport: Ensure that you have a valid passport. Print a copy of your passport’s biometric data page.

Application Form: Fill out the visa application form. Print it and sign it.

Passport-Sized Photograph: Get a few recent passport-sized photographs of yours.

Letter of Acceptance: Your acceptance letter must be a signed letter with details of your academic program. 

Financial Documents: Arrange for your bank statements, a letter of scholarship, or a sponsorship letter to prove your financial means.

Travel Health Insurance: Obtain travel health insurance to cover your entire duration of stay.

Documents of Academic Qualifications: Organize all documents related to your previous academic qualifications.

Language Proficiency Test: Get the report of your language proficiency test. While IELTS is a widely accepted language proficiency test across Europe, some universities have their own tests. You will need the report of any such required test.   

Apart from these, check for any other Schengen student visa requirement that is specific to the country or university where you are going.
 

How to Apply for Schengen Student Visa?


Applying for a visa can be a complex and time-consuming task. But you can navigate this process successfully with the right guidance and support. An Affiniks Study Abroad consultant can help you with the whole process of applying for a Schengen Student Visa.

Here’s how you can apply for the visa with the help of an agency:  

Step 1:  Understand the Requirements of the Visa
With a consultant, you can get detailed information about the visa requirements of your destination, a Schengen country.

Step 2:  Prepare Your Documents
Gathering and preparing the required documents can be a daunting task. A Study abroad consultant can help you to collect and organize all the necessary documents, including health insurance documentation and evidence of financial sufficiency.  

Step 3:  Seek Online Application Assistance
Your Study abroad consultant can guide you to fill up and submit your application form online. They offer clear instructions and ensure that you submit all necessary documents so that your application is processed smoothly.

Step 4:  Attend the Visa Interview
A Study abroad consultant can assist you in preparing for the visa interview beforehand.

Step 5:  Go through the Visa Decision Support Fees
The Schengen visa fee is €80 (approximately INR 7200) for Indian citizens. Note that this fee may fluctuate based on the latest currency exchange rate.
Once you pay the visa fee, your Study abroad consultant provides you with updates and stands by your side while you wait for the visa decision.  

Visit the Affiniks Enquiry page for more information about the Schengen Student Visa.

 

How to Provide Proof of Financial Sufficiency?


The Student Schengen Visa application process requires a student to have sufficient funds to cover travel, living expenses, and tuition fees during the course of study.  
Any one of the following documents can serve as proof of the same:

  • Bank account statements that illustrate the applicant’s bank balance for the last six months.

  • The original attestation of an official scholarship with a minimum grant of €631 per month.

  • A letter of sponsorship.   

Note that the required minimum amount in the bank account will depend on the destination Schengen country. As a general rule, there should be an amount of at least 50-60 Euros in the account for every day of stay in the Schengen Area. But this amount can be higher for some Schengen countries. 

Health Insurance Coverage

 

Health travel insurance is required to cover any medical emergency during a student’s stay in the Schengen Area. The insurance coverage must be adequate for the entire period of travel and stay.

  • The health insurance coverage must be at least €30,000 (approximately INR 26,90,000).

  • The coverage must be valid in all Schengen member states.

  • The insurance must cover all expenses related to emergency medical treatment, evacuation on health grounds, or repatriation to India from Europe.

 

Benefits of the Student Schengen Visa

 

One of the benefits of a Schengen Visa is that it allows a student to move freely between the Schengen member countries. The Schengen Area has common entry and exit requirements. So, a student can travel and stay anywhere within this area without having to go through border controls.

Also, there’s no need to get a visa for every Schengen country the student visits. But remember that this visa limits travel through the Schengen countries to a maximum of 90 days over a 180 days period. 

 

Renewal and Extension of the Student Schengen Visa

 

It’s not possible to renew or extend a Student Schengen Visa to continue the educational course. This visa can be extended only in some very particular circumstances, such as unforeseeable situations, humanitarian reasons, late entry, or important personal reasons. In this case, the passport must have a validity of 6 months.  

If you want to continue your studies in the Schengen Area, you will have to return to your home country and apply for a fresh visa.   

Conclusion

A Student Schengen Visa is the key to getting a short-term educational experience in Europe. It also enables you to travel freely through the Schengen Area. 

If you want to study in Europe but don't know where to start, get in touch with the expert consultants at Affiniks Study Abroad. They will guide you with your visa application and provide assistance to make your dream of studying in Europe a reality.

FAQs

1.  How long does it take to process Student Schengen Visa?
Generally, the processing time for a Student Schengen Visa is around 15 calendar days. But in extraordinary cases, it may take up to 60 days.

2.  What is the Student Schengen Visa fee?
The Schengen visa for students will cost 80 Euros for adults.

3.  Can a student work under a Student Schengen Visa?
No, the Student Schengen Visa doesn’t provide working rights.

4.  Is it possible to travel outside the Schengen Area with a Student Schengen Visa?
The Student Schengen Visa doesn’t permit travel outside the Schengen Area.

5.  Is there an age limit for the Student Schengen Visa application?
No, there’s no age limit to apply for Student Schengen Visa.


 
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