Schengen Visa is a type of visa which is basically done under the Schengen agreement, you
have to get a visa from just one of the EU countries, and it allows you to enter most of the
other European Union countries. The formation of the European Union came with the end of
the Second World War, every European leader put forward the concern for Europe. The USA lent
a huge helping hand to support the European economy which was degrading every day.
Over the course of time, the European Union has evolved from an economic union to an
increasingly political one. The EU started to act more as a nation-state.

Germany has been an EU member country since 1958 and a Schengen area member since
1995. A Schengen visitor visa to Germany is a visa established by the Schengen states which
allows the holder to visit Germany and all of the other 26 member countries around the
world, it is given in the form of a sticker which is attached to the traveller’s passport. The
Schengen visa for tourism purposes or visiting friends and family members allows you to
only travel and wander throughout the Schengen area. Only a few people can roam around
the Schengen zone completely unrestricted; they should be Schengen-country citizens,
holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country, EU citizens, and non-EU citizens
with a valid Schengen visa. One of the drawbacks of a Schengen visa is that using it you
won’t be able to study or work in Germany, for that you need to apply for a student visa or a
work visa which is also known as a national visa.

While entering the Schengen zone if you are a non-EU or not a Schengen country national
then you need to submit certain documents while entering the Schengen area, which are:

• A valid passport which is issued within the previous 10 years and valid for atleast 3
  months after the date you intend to leave the European Union.
• If you belong to one of the third world countries then you would need a Schengen
  visa.

The European Union or the Schengen board can ask for other vital documents as well such
as proof of accommodation, flight itinerary, proof of you carrying sufficient funds or not, the
purpose of your visit, travel insurance and certain legal documents all these items can come
into check.
According to the type of visa issued by the Schengen embassy, there may be certain
restrictions that come with the issue of a visa which is based on the nature of travelling and
other relevant circumstances. However, the most common type of visa issued to travellers
can reach a maximum limit of upto 90 days in every six-month period starting from the date
of entry. Now, if you are a very frequent traveller to Germany you can apply for an EU visa which is valid upto 5 years.

The cost of a Schengen visa is approximately about 80 Euros per
adult but it can be higher or lower depending upon the age of the person and the duration
of his or her travel.
Now, the Schengen visa is divided into three main types – A, B and C .

Now, let’s know about the categories in a little detailed way:

• Type A Schengen Visa: The type A visa allows the travellers of non-Schengen states
  to transit through or wait for their connecting flight in the international zone of an
  airport situated in a Schengen country.
•  Type B Schengen visa: This type of visa is mainly for travellers who have a trip plan
  for not more than five days.
•  Type C Schengen visa: The type C Schengen visa is the most common one. It is
  mainly issued by the visa authorities of a country belonging to the Schengen zone.

The short stay Schengen visa can be of three types; A single entry visa, where you
can enter the Schengen area only one, a double entry visa which allows its
passengers to enter the Schengen area twice during the validity period of the visa
and a multiple entry visa which allows its holder to enter and leave a Schengen area
as many times as they want.

One of the important things which should be remembered by the multiple entry visa holders
is the nature of the 90/180 rule. You have to be careful in how many days you are actually
spending in the land starting from the day you have re-entered the Schengen area again.
Some travellers tend to confuse themselves with this information