What is a Schengen Visa?

What the Schengen visa is for

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that lets a traveler visit the Schengen Area, a group of European countries that have largely removed border checks between them, for tourism, business, transit, or family visits. For many nationalities, a single uniform visa (Type C) covers the whole area for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period.

You usually apply through the consulate or visa center of the country that is your main destination. When the main destination cannot be determined, you apply through the country you will enter first. The visa is about the right to enter and stay for a short period; it does not replace border, document, or local registration checks.

• Short stays are generally counted as 90 days within any rolling 180-day window.
• Apply through the main-destination country, or the first country of entry when the main destination is unclear.
• A visa does not remove border, document, or local registration checks.

Where the photo fits, and why routes differ

Every Schengen visa application asks for an identity photo, but that photo is not handled through one shared European upload screen. The European Commission sets the common visa framework, while the actual photo size, file format, print count, and upload rules come from each country, consulate, or visa application center such as VFS, TLScontact, or BLS.

This is why a photo that works for one route may need a different size or file for another. Use these guides as preparation, then confirm the exact instructions on the page of your embassy, consulate, or visa center before the appointment. This app helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements; it does not submit visa applications and is not an official government, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service.