Schengen Visa is applicable to all the member nations, which are signatory to Schengen agreement signed in June 1985 also known as Borderless Agreement. At present there are 26 countries comprising of Schengen zone, which allow free movement of trade, traffic and people within this area. Almost all the developed countries of Europe such as Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, Spain, France, Norway, Portugal, Austria etc., part of this borderless agreement and endorse free movement visa policy. Citizens of the 26 nations do not require any document such as passport, visa or travel card, they can easily move from one to another nation freely without any checking hindrances. While people having nationality or citizenship of the non-Schengen countries need a mandatory Schengen visa with valid passport in order to get in the Schengen zone. Once you get Schengen visa from particular nation you intend to visit first, afterwards you can freely travel/visit to any other nation in Schengen zone and doesn’t require any other travel card/document. For example if you intend to visit Belgium first, then you need get Belgium Schengen Visa, afterwards with this visa you can travel/visit freely to any other Schengen member nation or any part within Schengen zone.
Different types Schengen visas are issued by designated embassy as per need/nature/travel purpose of the person. Three types of important Schengen visas are:
National Visa (NV) – The National visa is granted to those people, who want to stay in the Schengen member states for certain period of time to fulfill purposes such as higher study, employment etc. and on completion of given time period they shall return to their nation.
Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) – The Uniform Schengen Visa is granted for transit or residing purpose in any of the Schengen member countries for the maximum time of 90 days and it is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV) – The LTV visa granted to those people, who wanted to visit/travel to particular Schengen member nation(s). This types of visa put restriction on free movement in Schengen zone. A person can visit/travel to only those Schengen states, which are specifically mentioned in the visa and there is no entry to other Schengen member countries.
If you wish or want to travel/visit to Schengen Zone or any particular member nation, you need apply for Schengen Visa at designated embassy/consulate. Nowadays you don’t need to stand in long queue at embassy or consulate offices to get things done you easily apply online for Schengen Visa. There are some legitimate private agencies, which offer outstanding services/assistance for Schengen visa application process. These agencies offer excellent services at affordable and standard charge to get Belgium Schengen Visa, Portugal Schengen Visa or any Schengen member nation’s visa in hassle free manner. They guide Schengen Visa applicant at every stage of visa process, keep their client posted up-to-date at every step, and resolve query/issues with strong customer support system through quick mail reply and call back.