Student Schengen Visa to Study in Europe: Detail Guide

The Student Schengen Visa is basically a Europe Study Visa for a short span. So, the student visa for Europe lets a student stay in the member countries of the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 3 months. If the course you are pursuing has a longer duration, you will have to apply for a long-stay study visa for the particular country.

You can apply for the Schengen study visa as long as you are not a citizen of the Schengen Zone and your home country has not signed a visa-free agreement with any of the member countries. So, if you are wondering if there is a Schengen Visa for Indian students, then the answer is yes. If you are an Indian, you can apply and get the Student Schengen Visa from India itself.

Primarily, there are four types of Schengen study visas, viz., Types A, B, C and D.

Schengen Visa Type A

This study visa Schengen is also referred to as the Airport Transit Visa, since it allows the holder to only be at the airports in the Schengen Zones and not leave them. The purpose for it is to permit non-Schengen citizens to wait for a connecting flight at one of the airports in the member countries. The bearer cannot enter the country with a Type A Schengen Visa.

Schengen Visa Type B

The Type B study visa Schengen permits the bearer to travel through the member countries with no restriction. However, this visa is only valid for 5 days.

Schengen Visa Type C

Known as the Short-Stay Schengen Visa, the Type C is the most common one. This educational visa permits the student to travel through the Schengen member countries freely for a maximum of 90 days over a 180 days period. Some countries have a mandatory requirement for the Type C Schengen Visa, so it will be beneficial for you to check the Schengen study visa requirements at your university as well as the country.

The Type C is further divided into three sub-categories, depending upon the number of times you intend to visit a particular member country.

• Single-Entry Visa:
  It allows the bearer to enter a particular member country of the Schengen Zone only once. After the holder leaves, the visa is annulled even if it has not reached its expiration date.
• Double-Entry Visa:
  This visa permits the bearer to re-enter the particular member country only once. After the bearer leaves the country for a second time, the visa is void.
• Multiple-Entry Visa:
  Quite evident in its name, the multiple-entry visa lets the holder travel through the Schengen Zone innumerable times in a maximum of 90 days over a 180-day period.

Schengen Visa Type D

The Type D Student Schengen Visa is basically the national long-stay visa. It is specifically for the valid visa holder who wishes to stay in a Schengen country for a period of over 90 days, up to 1 year. However, the student can travel to other member countries for a maximum of 90 days over a 180-day period.

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With various types and conditions on it, “what are the Schengen d Visa requirements?” is a major question for the students who wish to study in Europe. Now, there are quite a few things you need to get in place before you apply for the Student Schengen Visa.

Passport

You will need a valid passport, for obvious reasons. It must be valid for at least twelve months after the return date you have scheduled.

Copy of Passport’s Data Page

Print a copy of the biometric data page on your passport, preferably on an A4 sized paper.

Application Form

Fill the Schengen student visa application form meticulously and honestly. You might need to print the Schengen student visa application form out and sign it before you submit it.

Letter of Acceptance

The admit letter from the university you will be going to is a crucial document in the list of Schengen student visa requirements.

Passport-Sized Photograph

Get a couple of passport-sized photographs of yours. The visa requirements deem it to be no earlier than 3 months from your application.

Language Proficiency Test

You will need the report of a language proficiency test. Please check the accepted tests at your university or country. IELTS is very widely and most preferred English language proficiency test across Europe. However, if the country you are going to has their own native language requirements as well, you will need the reports of that particular language test as well.

Finances

Your financial statements would prove that you are capable of studying and living in the country with no financial challenges. It could be a letter of scholarship, a bank statement of a letter of sponsorship.

Academic Qualifications

Collate all the documents of your previous academic qualifications. It could be a degree, diploma or any other level of study.

Travel Health Insurance

Travel health insurance is needed for emergencies. Some universities may ask for insurance covering your entire stay or some may require it for the duration of your travel.

Before you move ahead with the above-mentioned documents, make sure you check the country specific and the university specific Schengen Student Visa requirements as well.

Once you have got all the essential documents and your finances in place, it is time for you to have a look at the Student Schengen Visa fees.

For an adult, the Schengen visa will cost you $90 or €80. If you belong to Armenia, Azerbaijan or Russia, then it will cost you €35, or $39. Note: The fees stated in USD is subject to the latest currency exchange rate and may fluctuate.

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You can apply for the visa no earlier than 3 months from the start of your semester and no later than 15 days before the start of your semester.

• First of all, make sure you need the Schengen Student Visa, since it is not essential for a plethora of students. Figure out your requirements and then take a call.
• If you do need it, figure out the country you need to apply to and the type of Schengen Student Visa.
• After you have sorted out your requirements, visit the website of the embassy or consulate of the country and fill the application form at the appropriate time.
• Collate all the documents you will need and fix an appointment for the interview.
• Pay the student Schengen visa fees after your interview and wait for a response.

When you appear for the Student Schengen Visa interview, you will be interrogated about your finances, purpose of visit, reason for choosing the particular educational field, your family background or your future plans. There are, however, a handful of Schengen student visa interview questions that are asked most often. It might lean the decision in your favour if you are well-versed with the answers and deliver them fluently. Here are the most asked Schengen Student Visa interview questions and their answers.

• How do you plan on funding your education and stay?
  How to answer: Start by speaking about your sponsors, and how strongly you are backed up. You can even speak about your relatives in Europe. For evidence, be ready with your bank statements, letter of scholarship or sponsorship.
• What is your marital status?
  How to answer: Firmly state your marital status as is. Do not sound confused at all. 
• Do you have any kids? If yes, what do they do?
  How to answer: Make sure you know what your kids do and don’t fumble about the information.
• Do you have any relatives in the Schengen area?
  How to answer: This is an important question which will help them gain confidence in you. Do not miss out on any names since it might come across as you avoiding the question.
• Did you apply to any other universities? What was their response?
  How to answer: Again, answer truthfully. Show the interviews that you are satisfied with your present university and you cannot wait to be enrolled. 
• Why did you choose this particular university?
  How to answer: Please visit the university’s official website to learn about its history and academic settings. You can also check the institution’s exchange and internship programs. It would be a plus point to combine this information with your plan in Europe.
• Why do you wish to pursue an education in this country?
  How to answer: Express your admiration towards the country and present some convincing reasons.
• What are your future goals, after this course?
  How to answer: It also depends on your future career plan, but we recommend showing your interest in going back to your home country. Don’t make them feel like your purpose to go to Europe is to stay there and get a long-term visa later. Remain focused on the study and research field, and also professional skills while answering.

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The Schengen visa for tier 4 students is quite easy to get hold of, provided you have all the required documents. You can also, very easily ace your visa interview with honest answers, and genuine documents. So, get your finances, documents and educational scorecards in order and begin your journey to the Schengen Zone as a student. Good luck!