Residents of the country and continent of Australia continue to rank among the world’s top travellers, with Europe in particular being one of their favourite destinations. Recent statistics show that Australians are very likely to spend between 11 and 16 days in Europe for sightseeing and experiencing European life.
Despite the fact that Australian passport holders do not require a visa for short-term stays in Europe, some expats living in Australia, depending on their citizenship, are 27 or older in Europe. A Schengen visa is required to allow entry into the country. EU block. Check the list of citizens who need a Schengen visa to determine if you need a visa.
In addition, Australian citizens who are not eligible to enter Europe under the visa-free regime will need to apply for and be granted a regular visa to enter the territory.
Note: (From 1 January 2023, an Australian citizen will need to apply for her ETIAS before traveling to Europe in order to be admitted to Europe.)
What documents do Australians need to enter the EU visa free zone?
Australian passport holders do not need a Schengen visa to enter countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement, but are required to present some documents when they appear at the border. The documents are as follows:
- Australian passports are valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in the Schengen area.
- Proof of purpose of travel
- Evidence that you have the necessary financial means to support yourself during your stay in a Schengen country
- Any other documents specifically required for each country within this zone you plan to visit
Bear in mind that Australians are eligible for visa waivers, so Border Patrol will make the final decision on whether to allow entry. If you are denied entry into Europe, you will need to return to Australia and apply for a regular short-stay Schengen visa.
Australian citizens can travel to the European countries listed below without a Schengen visa.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Liechtenstein
Additionally, this article provides a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a Schengen visa in Australia.
Who can apply for a Schengen visa in Australia?
You can apply for a Schengen visa in Australia if you fit into one of the following categories:
- Australian passport holders denied entry into the Schengen area without a visa
- Third country nationals residing in Australia as permanent residents or temporary residents who require a European visa and are valid for more than 6 months.
Please note that depending on the Schengen country you are traveling to, you may have to meet some requirements and apply directly at an embassy, consulate or visa centre. However, if you do not belong to any of the above categories, you should apply to the embassy or consulate of your country of residence
Where you can apply for an Australian Schengen visa?
Where you need to apply for a Schengen visa depends on which member country you are visiting and, if you are visiting multiple countries, how many days you plan to spend in each country.
Below are clear instructions on where to apply for a short stay European visa in Australia.
- If you are visiting only one country – you must apply to the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting that has jurisdiction over your area of residence.
- If you visit multiple countries – in this case, the application depends on the number of days spent in each country, as follows:
- If the length of stay is the same in each country – you must first apply to the embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over your area of residence in the country you are entering.
- If the length of stay is different for each country – please apply at the embassy or consulate of the country that has jurisdiction over your residence. If you plan to spend the same number of days in two or more countries and fewer days in one or more other countries, apply to the embassy of the country where you plan to stay longer.
Please note that some embassies outsource the submission of visa applications to other Schengen embassies or consulates or visa application centres. Please check with the embassy of the country you are applying to before applying.
Requirements for Schengen visa application for Australian residents
As with other visas elsewhere in the world, when applying for a Schengen visa in Australia you will need to submit a number of required documents. These documents are necessary to prove that you do not intend to stay or work illegally in the area after your visa expires, and to prove the real reason for your trip and to support yourself during your stay. required to demonstrate whether you have the financial capacity to stay there.
The documents required to apply for a Schengen visa in Australia are:
Schengen visa application form – complete completely, print twice and sign at the end. Answer all questions honestly and accurately, taking into account the information in the other required documents
A valid passport – valid for no more than 10 years and valid for at least 3 months from the date you intend to leave the Schengen area. You will need 2 blank pages so that you can also attach your visa.
Proof of visa status in Australia VEVO verification within 14 days. VEVO must provide a current passport number and proof that your Australian multiple entry visa is valid for at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area.
Photo – Taken within the last 3 months according to Schengen photo requirements.
Cover letter – stating why you want to visit Europe, the Schengen countries you want to visit, the reasons for each and the number of days you want to spend there.
Itinerary – shows what to do, where to stay and places to visit in the Schengen countries. This also includes:
- Flight schedule – This is a booked flight to/from the Schengen area and a booked domestic flight.
- Proof of Accommodation – This indicates that you will be staying for the entire duration of your visit. This will be one of the following:
- Proof of Hotel Reservation – Includes the name of the hotel you are staying at, contact details and length of stay.
- Invitation letter – from a host who is a family member or friend of yours and willing to host you during your stay in the Schengen area. The letter should contain information about the host and their house/apartment. Documents must be attached to the letter.
- Lease Agreement – If you are renting an apartment, you will need to provide a contract/contract detailing the apartment and its owner.
- Means of living – This is a document that proves that you have the necessary means to stay in the Schengen area for the entire period for which you need a visa. This document is either:
- Bank statement – less than 3 months old and proof that you have enough money in your bank account for your stay
- Sponsorship letter – from the host or someone else confirming that it covers all the applicant’s expenses while traveling to Europe. The letter should be accompanied by a bank statement from the sponsor.
- European Travel Insurance – This is essential for your application. This insurance must cover the entire Schengen area in the event of a medical emergency such as accident or illness and repatriation to Australia in the event of death, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is. Australian citizens and residents can purchase insurance policies online from Europe Assistance.
Note: In some cases, the Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents. Please submit these documents as soon as possible.
Visa application and processing duration
Visa applicants can usually submit their applications up to three months before her departure and up to two weeks before her departure. We strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible.
Check out the recommended places to apply at the top of this article and make an appointment. On the day of your appointment, please arrive punctually at the embassy/consulate/visa center with all required documents.
After the visa interview is completed, you will need to wait an additional 15 days for a response to your application as this is the time it takes for the embassy to process your Schengen visa.
Schengen visa fee required for Australian citizen
The Schengen visa fee is the same for all citizens of the world. Here are the Australian Schengen visa fees, depending on the age of the applicant:
- Adult – €80
- Children from 6 to 12 years – 40 €
- Free for children under 6 years old
What should I do if my visa application is rejected?
All visa applicants whose applications are denied have the right to appeal. Each Member State is obliged to provide grounds for refusal based on its precise national law and specific procedures relating to the right to appeal.
If the appeal is also denied, the applicant can apply for a regular visa again by correcting the “mistakes” of the previous application. However, we recommend that you have a flawless visa application from the beginning. There are several main reasons why a Schengen visa application may be refused. If you avoid these mistakes in your application, your application will be more likely to succeed.
On the other hand, many candidates do not get a Schengen visa because they either do or don’t do something when they go to the visa interview. A visa interview is a very important part of your application. Therefore, you should try not to make mistakes. Here’s how to avoid common visa interview mistakes.
Australians will have to apply for an EU travel authorization from 1 January 2023
From 2023, Australians will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorization System. This means an Australian must apply for her ETIAS before traveling to the Schengen area with nationals of countries covered by the Schengen visa waiver scheme.
ETIAS can be applied for online by completing an application form and paying a fee of EUR 7.
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