Travelling to Europe : do you need a Schengen Visa ?

Europe is a highly popular destination for tourists, especially because of the great cultural and geographical diversity it offers. But except if your native country has a visa waiver agreement with an European country, you will need a visa if you wish to visit Europe.

You need a visa if you are from...
The list is non-exhaustive, but most countries in Africa and in Asia are concerned: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia but also Russia, Turkey...

What you have to know about the Schengen visa
Citizens of these countries are eligible for the Schengen visa, a short-term visa valid in the whole Schengen Area, if they stay no more than 90 days. Since 2003, a european decree makes it compulsory to purchase medical insurance for the length of your stay in Europe.

Schengen Europe Access: the insurance you need
Mondassur, a specialist in international mobility has developed an insurance plan for this particular need. Schengen Europe Access offers you an adequate medical coverage respecting the Schengen visa requirements at a cheap price (29 euros for a stay of fifteen days, 67 euros for a three-month stay). This insurance plan also guarantees civil liability. You can subscribe up to 75 years.(To read more about the guarantees and prices: http://www.mondassur.com/devis/schengeurop_access.pdf)

Get a free quote on www.mondassur.com. Travellers who are in a hurry and need to be insured quickly can subscribe this insurance online via a secure transaction on Mondassur web site.

Other useful information on the Schengen visa
It is necessary to make the visa application in person at the French consulate of your place of residence. If your visa expires, you must return to your country to reapply.

If you are staying in several countries, send your request to the consulate of the country where you stay the longest. So if your plane lands in a country of the Schengen area where you do not stay, you do not have to send a visa application to the consulate of this country.

The following nationalities do not require a Schengen visa to enter French territory: Australia, Brazil, South Korea, United States, Japan, Mexico, Singapore,Venezuela. However, this does not apply to you if you have a paid occupation inside French territory and the territorial authorities of Outre-Mer. However, even if you do not need a visa, you may be required to subscribe medical coverage.

A Schengen visa is valid in all Schengen states, unless the visa sticker states otherwise.

Your visa application must be completed before you come to the consulate, which is usually done on an appointment.

A visa is valid from a date maximum three months before your departure, or on the day you get it, as you choose.

You will have to pay a fee to get a visa.