Whenever you are planning a visit to a Schengen country, choosing the right visa type plays a major role in the visa process. One of the most confusing visa types is the Schengen tourist visa and Schengen visitor visa. Most UK travellers consider both types the same and end up choosing the wrong one.
Although both of the visas are considered Type C Schengen short-stay visas, the purposes they serve are different. So, if you do not want to choose the wrong visa type and want to make your visa process less tricky, keep reading this detailed guide. Here, you will learn about the specific purposes of the Schengen Tourist Visa and the Schengen Visitor visa.
You will also find tips for getting a Schengen visa approval and the right way to apply for both types of visas. So, let’s continue reading the blog and complete your Schengen visa process without any worries!
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Whether you are planning a Schengen trip for tourism, business, a spouse meet, or visiting any family member, choosing the right visa category can help you avoid visa delays or even rejections.
Although both visas allow you to stay in the 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, their primary purposes and required documentation differ. Let’s find out what the main purposes of the Schengen tourist visa and the Schengen Visitor Visa are. Then, we will explore the differences between the two visas.
Here is the complete breakdown of the differences between the two visas.
| Features | Schengen Tourist Visa | Schengen Visitor Visa |
| Primary Purpose | Holiday and tourism | Visiting family or friends |
| Primary Accommodation | Hotels or rentals | Host’s residence |
| Invitation Letter | Not required | Mandatorily required |
| Sponsorship | Anyone can sponsor (if required) | Host can sponsor (if required) |
| Main Proof | Travel Itinerary | Relationship with the host |
Whether you are thinking about “How to apply for Schengen tourist visa from UK” or the process for a visitor visa, our SCHENGEN VISA HELP professionals provide the fastest and most reliable way to secure it. Just follow these 4 simple steps mentioned below.
1. Fill out the online Schengen visa application form. Submit it after cross-checking the details and paying the nominal service charges.
2. Our visa professionals will contact you asking about your travel dates. Based on that, they will book your slot for a Schengen visa appointment UK within 2-3 working days.
3. After successfully securing a visa appointment slot, you have to visit the visa centre to submit the visa documents and get the biometric details registered.
4. Lastly, you will receive your Schengen visa within 10 to 15 working days.
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The processing time of both visas is 10 to 15 working days. However, if you are travelling to any Schengen country during the peak travel season, especially in summer, you may face an extension of the processing time. It can increase up to 45 working days.
That is why it is important to apply for your Schengen visa at least 3 months before you depart from the UK for the Schengen region. Now, let’s find out the documents required for both of the visas below.
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Documentation plays a major role in deciding whether the visa process will be successful or not. This is because even a single missing visa document can lead to visa delays or even rejections. So, while securing a Schengen Visa UK residents are required to gather the following documents to submit to the visa officials:
To secure the Schengen visa successfully, you are required to prove your travel intentions and financial stability. Primarily, you should focus on these 5 critical pillars:
1. Choose the right visa type: The very first step is to choose the right visa category while filling out the online visa application. Choosing the wrong visa type will contradict your travel purpose and can lead to visa rejection.
2. Provide proof of sufficient funds: UK travellers are required to show that they have enough money to cover their entire stay. For the same reason, they are required to provide the recent 3 to 6 months of bank statements to prove financial stability.
3. Submit booked hotel and flight reservations: You are required to submit the fully detailed, confirmed, or pre-booked flight itineraries and hotel reservations that cover your entire trip. Submitting incorrect or incomplete reservation documents can also delay the visa approval.
4. Get Mandatory Travel Insurance: You are required to purchase a mandatory travel policy from an authorised provider. It is required to cover medical emergencies and repatriation in the Schengen area. It must have a minimum coverage of €30,000 and remain valid throughout the Schengen zone.
5. Provide Strong ties to the home country: You need to prove that you are going to return to your home country after spending a specific time in the Schengen area. For this purpose, you need to show employment proof, property, or family in your home country.
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In conclusion, understanding the main purpose of both the Schengen tourist visa and the Schengen visitor visa can become easy with the right guidance. Just make sure you have a clear purpose for travelling, and your visa documents are complete; the rest of our SCHENGEN VISA HELP professionals will handle it.
Additionally, to improve your chances of visa approval, always check the latest Schengen requirements and updates for the visa category before applying. If your travel dates are in a few months, then apply and get your visa process started today.
*We will confirm you through email when the appointment will be fixed.
No, you are not allowed to exceed the time duration of the Schengen visitor visa. Under the strict Schengen rules, stays are strictly capped at 90 days within any 180-day period. Exceeding the time duration can lead to serious repercussions, like monetary fines or even formal entry bans.
Yes, you can visit other Schengen countries with a Belgium visitor visa. This visa allows you to visit all 29 Schengen countries freely for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
An invitation letter is a formal written document written by a host who is residing in a Schengen country legally. This important document ensures that a UK applicant from the Schengen zone receives an invitation to visit for a specific period. It also helps the visa officials to justify the purpose of the trip and ensures the applicant will not overstay and has financial support.
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