France, Italy and others... A list of countries to which Saudis can easily travel after being granted a Schengen visa
arabia weather-Do you want to spend a vacation with the beautiful spring weather? Here are some travel destinations in Europe, which you can travel to, especially after the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia announced a new European decision that allows Saudi citizens to obtain a Schengen visa valid for five years upon submitting its application for the first time. In a similar context, Al Arabiya channel reported, quoting sources, that the rules of Schengen visas have been unified for all citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, allowing them to obtain a visa that allows them to reside in the European Union countries for five years upon submitting its application for the first time.
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Granting Saudis a Schengen visa
According to this decision, citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are now entitled to obtain a multiple-entry visa to visit the European Union countries, which is valid for five years, and this decision is effective immediately.
This step comes based on a European decision issued yesterday, allowing Saudis to obtain a Schengen visa for five years upon submitting its application for the first time. The French ambassador to Saudi Arabia referred to this decision, stressing that Saudi citizens will now have the opportunity to obtain a Schengen visa that enables them to travel to the European Union countries with ease and convenience.
In the same context, according to Al Arabiya, the Schengen visa systems have been unified for all citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, granting them Schengen visas for five years upon first application.
What is a Schengen visa?
Answer: The Schengen visa is a unified visa system that allows its holders to enter and move within the European Union area, in addition to other areas participating in the Schengen Agreement,
Schengen Area countries
The Schengen Area consists of the following 27 countries:
- Member States of the European Union
- Spain
- Estonia
- Germany
- Croatia
- Italy
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- France
- Finland
- Latvia
- Luxembourg
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Hungary
- Austria
- Netherlands
- Greece
- Non-EU countries
- Iceland
- Switzerland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
Who should apply for a Schengen visa?
Citizens of some countries are exempt from obtaining a Schengen visa when traveling to Schengen area countries. If you are a citizen of a non-exempt country, you will need a Schengen visa. In addition, citizens of these countries must obtain a transit visa if they are traveling through international airports in the Schengen area. List of countries that require a Schengen visa
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burma/Myanmar
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cote d'Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Islands Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Sultanate of Oman
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Visa Requirements
Kosovo and Palestinian Authority citizens are also required to apply for a Schengen visa.
Which European countries are not part of the Schengen Area?
The European continent includes many countries that are either members of the European Union or the Schengen Area.
The full list of European countries that are not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area is as follows:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Russia
- Serbia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Despite not being members of the European Union or the Schengen Area, citizens of the majority of the above countries are allowed visa-free entry into the Schengen Area, with the exception of passport holders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Turkey.
Citizens who do not need a Schengen visa
Citizens who do not need a Schengen visa to travel to EU countries are:
- Citizens of EU member states (such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain).
- Citizens of EEA member states (such as Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland).
- Citizens of Switzerland.
- Citizens of countries that partially apply the Schengen Agreement (such as Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia).
- Citizens of certain other countries that have signed special agreements with Schengen countries.
When should you apply for a Schengen visa?
You must apply for a Schengen visa at least 15 days before your travel date, and no later than 6 months before your trip.
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Schengen visa processing time
The processing of a Schengen visa application usually takes 15 to 30 days, but in some cases it can take up to 60 days.
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Where to apply
A Schengen visa application is submitted at the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to stay the longest. If there is no diplomatic representation of that country in your country, you can apply through an embassy representing the interests of the country you wish to visit.
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Schengen visa fees
The standard fee for a Schengen visa is 80 euros for adults, and 40 euros for children between 6 and 12 years old. Some categories, such as students and children under the age of six, are exempt from fees.
Basic documents required
The most important documents required are:
- A valid passport.
- Two personal photos.
- Travel medical insurance.
- Proof of financial support (such as a bank statement).
- Proof of accommodation (such as a hotel reservation).
- Flight reservation.
- A completed and signed application form.
Types of Schengen visas
- Short-term visa (C): Valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Transit visa (A): Valid for transit through airports only.
- A Schengen visa allows entry for a specific period of time, and the length of stay allowed varies between different countries. The permitted period of stay is usually 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors who intend to stay longer than this period must obtain a special visa.
How do I get a Schengen visa?
To obtain a Schengen visa, travelers must apply to the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit within the Schengen area. Submitting a visa application requires submitting a set of required documents. For more information on Schengen visa requirements, and to find out if you need a visa to travel to Europe, visit this comprehensive guide: Schengen.News
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