Schengen Countries
Although the visa procedure of all Schengen countries is quite similar, the processing times are 21-28 working days on average. There are 2 types of applications called Single Entry and Multiple Entry. Whichever option you choose during the application, the consulate of the applicant country has the authority to decide depending on the situation of each applicant.
When you want to apply for a visa to any of the Schengen countries, you have to apply from the application centers designated by the country in Turkey. Consulates do not accept applications for type C short-term visas and have assigned their own designated application centers for these procedures. IDATA application center is used for Germany and Italy applications and VFS GLOBAL application center is used for many other Schengen countries.
Schengen visa fees vary according to the application option of the country where the visa is requested. Visa fees vary between 80-110 EUR on average.
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey who are holders of a Special (Burgundy) passport are subject to a visa for entry into the Schengen area, but holders of Special (Green), Service (Gray) and Diplomatic (Black) passports are exempt from visa for travels up to 90 days within 6 months.
Application centers designated by Schengen member states require fingerprints during the application. However, as of September 25, 2015, they do not request fingerprints again from applicants who have given fingerprints once. Every applicant who has not received a Schengen visa before this date must apply in person at the application center because they have to give fingerprints.
In addition, consulates may request additional documents, interviews, and re-submission of the same documents for the applications made and have the right to reject the application even if all documents are correct and in order.
Fingerprinting has become mandatory for Schengen visa applications as of September 25, 2015. Therefore, visa applicants must come to the application centers in person and declare their fingerprints.
Schengen member states have kept this information collected for 5 years in their systems in order to make it easier to receive applications, eliminating the necessity of personal applications each time.
This system is called "VIS", which consists of the first letters of the words "Visa Information System", and it is expressed as "VIS" on visas, except for Schengen visas issued by some countries in 2016.
The fingerprints you need to provide during your visa application to Schengen member states are a process that should be different from the fingerprints you have given to the authorities of the Republic of Turkey, and please note that even if you have a VIS record, each application center has the right to call you for fingerprint declaration again.
