Your Schengen Visa might cost you more in coming months!

Your Schengen Visa might cost you more in the coming months!

The European Commission is set to propose a hike in the basic fee for Schengen Visas in 2024, this is bound to increase the overall increase in the expenditure for applicants wanting to visit Schengen Areas in the coming months.

What is the cause behind the proposition to hike the Schengen Visa fee?
 The primary reason for the increase in the application fee for Schengen Visa is the increasing inflation rate in the European Union. As per the European Union, the hike is important to align with economic realities. The other reason behind the hike in the visa fee is due to the Revisions that are bound to happen every 3 years. Thus, this proposal for the Schengen Visa fee increase is a part of this regular revision process.

What is the proposed Schengen Visa fee?

If the proposal for a Schengen Visa is approved the visa cost will surge by 12.5%. Where the visa fee for adults will increase from €80 to €90, and for children, it will rise from €40 to €45. The European Commission presented the revised Schengen Visa fee draft on February 2. The feedback on the proposal is open until March 1, 2024. If the proposal is approved, external providers of Schengen visas, like visa agencies, will be authorized to increase their service fees. The maximum service fee for these external providers will be €45, up from the previous €40. It's important to note that the fee for extending a Schengen visa will remain unchanged at €30.

Who needs a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Area consists of 27 European member countries with the same visa policies. The citizens of these member nations can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Non-European Union citizens, like those from South Africa, Pakistan, India, China, and Sri Lanka, must obtain Schengen visas.

Whereas, Citizens of Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia are exempt from Schengen visa requirements.

To catch on more details on Schengen Visa applicants can visit www.aptechvisa.com or you can also connect with our Schengen Visa experts at 750 383 2132/ 928 928 9006 / 91310 59075.