What's the Easiest Way to Travel to Europe from Thailand?

Planning a trip to Europe but don’t know which visa to apply for? Consider the Schengen Visa! It’s the most popular visa option for visitors to Europe and it allows you to enter all of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area.

Not only does the Schengen Visa allow you to travel to Europe for tourism purposes, it also lets you travel between European Schengen countries easily without the need for additional visa applications. So even if you only plan on visiting one country in Europe, you can change your mind while there and visit a neighboring country without hassle.

What is the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is a type of entry permit that allows non-European Union nationals to visit a country in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. It was established by the Schengen Agreement and includes 29 European nations.

The countries in the Schengen Area are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Note how the United Kingdom is not a part of the Schengen Agreement. If you wish to enter the United Kingdom, you will need to acquire a UK Visa.

Schengen Visa Types

The Schengen Visa comes in several types, depending on your purpose of visit. Below is a list of the most common ones:

• Tourist Visa: For purposes of exploring Europe’s cities, attractions, and landmarks.
• Business Visa: For purposes of attending meetings, conferences, or other business-related activities in the Schengen Area.
• Family Visit Visa: For purposes of visiting family members or friends living in the Schengen Area. However, an invitation letter from your host will be required in the application.
• Student Visa: For purposes of studying, attending a training course, or joining an educational exchange program in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.
• Spouse Visa: For spouses of EU/EEA citizens who wish to join or accompany their partner in the Schengen Area. However, you will be required to provide proof of your marriage in the application.

Schengen Visa Requirements

To apply for a Schengen Visa in Thailand, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A completed Schengen Visa application form
• A passport that’s valid for at least 3 months after your planned stay in the Schengen Area
• 2 recent passport-sized photographs (in color, light background)
• Proof of financial funds such as bank statements and property certificates
• Proof of employment or study such as a letter from your employer or educational institution (if self-employed, provide a copy of the business registration)
• Travel itinerary and accommodation details such as hotel reservations and rental agreements
• Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR

If someone else is helping you meet the proof of financial funds requirement, an invitation letter must be provided with the official sponsorship declaration made from that person’s home country. 

Schengen Visa Application Process in Thailand

When applying for a Schengen Visa in Thailand, it is important to know where you should submit your application, as the government agency will vary depending on your purpose of visit:

• Embassy or Consulate of the Main Destination of Visit: If you plan to stay longer in one Schengen country, it is recommended that you apply for your visa at that country’s Embassy or Consulate in Thailand.
• Visa Application Centers: VFS Global and TLScontact are two popular third-party agencies that are often used by Schengen countries to process visa applications. Under the supervision of the respective embassies, these centers handle application submissions and provide services such as biometric data collection.

Once you know where to submit your application, the steps for the process are as follows:

• Complete the application form and submit all the required documents.
• Make an appointment at the Visa Application Center (you will need to attend it in person unless you have already provided biometric data).
• Wait for the application result, which should be delivered within 15 business days of submitting the application.

It is important to note that you should apply for a Schengen Visa no earlier than 6 months or later than 15 days before your planned travel date. Otherwise, you may be denied.

How Siam Legal Can Help You Travel to Europe the Easy Way

If you are looking to travel to Europe and want to cross immigration issues off your list of things to worry about, retain the services of Siam Legal International. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience in helping clients from all around efficiently secure immigration solutions. With our help, you will obtain your Schengen Visa as swiftly and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on making this trip to Europe one to remember.

Our Schengen Visa application services include:

• A consultation with our European Immigration Specialist that will help us better understand your needs and the purpose of your visit so we can better prepare your application.
• Assistance with gathering and preparing all the required documents to ensure they are error-free and acceptable to European Immigration authorities, thereby maximizing your approval chances.
• Submission of your application to the relevant government agencies to ensure a timely approval.
• Arranging an appointment at the Visa Application Center for you.
• Providing you with accurate information regarding the most up-to-date fees required for your Schengen Visa type, so that you are prepared for any additional costs.
• Unlimited phone support from our European visa specialists.

Should you have any further questions about the Schengen Visa, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal.