A weekend in Prague, a concert in Vienna, a few days in Rome... European plans usually start well, and then comes the question: where and how do you get the visa? The process isn't scary. You just need to know the order of steps and start on time.
What is a Schengen visa?
The Schengen area covers more than twenty European countries. A short-stay visa issued by one of them lets you travel across all of them. The core rule: you can stay in the area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Since 2014 Azerbaijani citizens have benefited from a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union. It lowers the fee and shortens processing times, as explained below.
Which consulate should you apply to?
Apply to the country where you will spend the most time. If you'll be in Italy for 5 days and France for 2, you apply to Italy. If the days are equal, choose the country you enter first.
In Baku many countries accept applications through the VFS Global visa centre, while some embassies take them directly. Check the website of the specific embassy to see which route applies.
Which documents do you need?
The list varies slightly by country, but the core set usually looks like this:
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after your return, issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages.
- Completed application form and photo, usually 35×45 mm on a white background.
- Travel medical insurance covering the whole Schengen area with at least €30,000 of cover.
- Flight reservation showing the return route. A fully paid ticket isn't always required, but a booking is.
- Accommodation: a hotel booking or an invitation letter.
- Proof of funds: recent bank statements.
- Employment letter with your position, salary and leave dates. Students bring a letter from their school; business owners bring registration documents.
For more preparation tips see our 10 tips for your first trip abroad.
How much does it cost?
Under the facilitation agreement the consular fee for Azerbaijani citizens is €35, far less than the standard €90. Children under 12 and some other categories are exempt.
If you apply through a visa centre, its service fee is paid separately. The amount can change, so check it when you book your appointment.
When should you apply?
You can apply no earlier than 6 months before the trip. To be safe, start at least 3–4 weeks ahead. Under the agreement a decision is normally made within 10 calendar days, extendable to 30 days if extra checks are needed.
Queues get long before summer and holidays. For an August trip, it's worth applying in June.
Common reasons for refusal
- The bank statement doesn't look sufficient, or a large sum was transferred in at the last minute.
- Booking dates don't match the dates in the form.
- The insurance doesn't cover every day of the trip.
- The purpose of the trip isn't clear.
If you've held visas before and followed the rules, that works in your favour, and the agreement also makes multiple-entry visas easier to get.
Looking for a visa-free alternative?
Sometimes there's no time to gather documents. Then look at visa-free countries for Azerbaijani passport holders. Once your Schengen visa is ready, compare flights: shifting your dates by a few days often brings the price down noticeably.
Note: visa rules can change. Before applying, check the latest requirements on the website of the embassy or visa centre of your chosen country.
