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

1. Spain
2. Estonia
3. Germany
4. Croatia
5. Italy
6. Portugal
7. Belgium
8. Poland
9. Czech Republic
10. Denmark
11. Slovenia
12. Sweden
13. France
14. Finland
15. Latvia
16. Luxembourg
17. Lithuania
18. Malta
19. Hungary
20. Austria
21. Netherlands
22. Greece
23. Non-EU countries
24. Iceland
25. Switzerland
26. Liechtenstein
27. 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

1. Afghanistan
2. Algeria
3. Angola
4. Armenia
5. Azerbaijan
6. Bahrain
7. Bangladesh
8. Belarus
9. Belize
10. Benin
11. Bhutan
12. Bolivia
13. Botswana
14. Burkina Faso
15. Burma/Myanmar
16. Burundi
17. Cambodia
18. Cameroon
19. Cape Verde
20. Central African Republic
21. Chad
22. China
23. Comoros
24. Congo
25. Cote d'Ivoire
26. Cuba
27. Democratic Republic of the Congo
28. Djibouti
29. Dominican Republic
30. Ecuador
31. Egypt
32. Equatorial Guinea
33. Eritrea
34. Ethiopia
35. Fiji
36. Gabon
37. Gambia
38. Ghana
39. Guinea
40. Guinea-Bissau
41. Guyana
42. Haiti
43. India
44. Indonesia
45. Iran
46. Iraq
47. Jamaica
48. Jordan
49. Kazakhstan
50. Kenya
51. Kuwait
52. Kyrgyzstan
53. Laos
54. Lebanon
55. Lesotho
56. Liberia
57. Libya
58. Madagascar
59. Malawi
60. Islands Maldives
61. Mali
62. Mauritania
63. Mongolia
64. Morocco
65. Mozambique
66. Namibia
67. Nauru
68. Nepal
69. Niger
70. Nigeria
71. North Korea
72. Sultanate of Oman
73. Pakistan
74. Papua New Guinea
75. Philippines
76. Qatar
77. Russia
78. Rwanda
79. Sao Tome and Principe
80. Saudi Arabia
81. Senegal
82. Sierra Leone
83. Somalia
84. South Africa
85. South Sudan
86. Sri Lanka
87. Sudan
88. Suriname
89. Swaziland
90. Syria
91. Tajikistan
92. Tanzania
93. Thailand
94. Togo
95. Tunisia
96. Turkey
97. Turkmenistan
98. Uganda
99. Uzbekistan
100. Vietnam
101. Yemen
102. Zambia
103. Zimbabwe
104. 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:

1. Albania
2. Armenia
3. Azerbaijan
4. Belarus
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina
6. Georgia
7. Kosovo
8. Moldova
9. Montenegro
10. North Macedonia
11. Russia
12. Serbia
13. Turkey
14. Ukraine
15. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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:

1. A valid passport.
2. Two personal photos.
3. Travel medical insurance.
4. Proof of financial support (such as a bank statement).
5. Proof of accommodation (such as a hotel reservation).
6. Flight reservation.
7. A completed and signed application form.

Types of Schengen visas

1. Short-term visa (C): Valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
2. Transit visa (A): Valid for transit through airports only.
3. 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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Sources:

sayidaty

eeas.europa.eu