A visa is a document that a citizen of a country has to apply for when visiting any foreign nation. Some countries offer visas on arrival, eVisa, visa-free entry, etc. It is an important document to show along with the passport.
If you are traveling to any foreign nation then you need to find out what are the visa policy of your country in that foreign country.
Every country has decided policy to allow a citizen of other countries into their country. You can find the policy mentioned on the website of the country’s Visa portal.
The steps to get the visa is the same for all countries but the issuing time, place, and limitation change from country to country.
Almost all Visa application has an interview section and immigration authorities conduct these interviews to ensure that they are allowing a sane and secure person into their country.
Schengen Visa is a visa that will allow you to enter Europe and enjoy borderless mobility throughout Europe. It is also believed to be one of the toughest immigration processes and if passed would almost guarantee easy entry into various countries.
During the interview, a few questions will be asked and then the visa application will be either rejected to pass. In this article, we will briefly discuss Schengen Visa Interview Questions & Answers which will help you in clearing the visa interview round.
But first, let’s find out what is Schengen Visa.
What is Schengen Visa?
Schengen Visa is a single visa issued to an individual to travel to 27 member states of the Schengen area. In 1985, a few member states of Europe signed a Schengen Agreement and Schengen convention which allows each member state of the agreement to have a common visa policy and for the citizen open and free border.
List of Schengen Agreement Countries
The following is the list of countries members of the Schengen agreement-
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands,
- Estonia
- Finland
- France (excluding overseas departments and collectivities)
- Germany (previously excluding Büsingen am Hochrhein)
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands (excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands)
- Norway (excluding Svalbard)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain (with special provisions for Ceuta and Melilla)
- Sweden
- Switzerland (with Büsingen am Hochrhein)
Schengen Visa Interview Questions & Answers
To get the Schengen Visa or any other Visa, the person has to go through a visa process wherein an interview is mandatorily conducted. Some of the most common questions which will be asked by the Visa conducting officer are listed here-
This is the basic introduction that you’ll have to give to the interviewer. Tell him/her about yourself, what you do, your education qualification, and your hobbies. Make them know you by sharing important and key facts about yourself.
If something from your introduction interests them they might inquire further meaning they might continue the next question about your hobby, education, etc. So, keep the introduction precise, engaging, and original without any addition of your own.
Usually, the type of Visa you’ve applied for will determine the purpose of your visit, however, you might still be asked this question to confirm the purpose. You’ll have to provide an answer on the purpose of the visit with details about the things you are going to do, etc.
For example- If your purpose of the visit is to pursue higher education then you can mention your goal, the college applied for, and other details related to your career.
This question is pretty simple, if yes, you might be asked a few follow-up questions like what he/she does, how many years of marriage, do you have any children, etc. If no, then you might be asked do you have a Girlfriend/boyfriend.
Simply answer Yes or no. If yes, then you can tell them about the children you have.
Answer this question with Yes or no and clarify the relationship you have with the person. If you traveling with your spouse then mention his/her and clarify the relationship. Similarly, if you traveling with a friend, then simply tell them and mention your relationship with them.
Show you the latest bank statement which you are required to carry with you to the interview. This is done to analyze the financial condition of the individual.
Clarify your insurance provider policy for international travel and make sure you’ve carried the documents to support your claim. This is extremely important as this will protect you in case of a medical emergency.
Provide information to the interviewer about the highest qualification you’ve completed along with the university where you’ve done that.
Tell the interviewer about the work experience you have if any and the latest job that you’ve had. Mention the company name, designation, and number of years you’ve done the job.
Simply answer yes or no. if yes, how you both are related?
If you’ve applied for a student visa for a bachelor’s program then this question is something that will be asked, answer yes, no, or have not decided yet.
Provide the details of the flight ticket you’ve bought (if any), if you’ve still not bought the ticket then you can simply say I was waiting for the visa approval. Make sure that if you have a ticket then carry a copy with you to back your claim.
If you are living in a college dorm room then mention it, if you have still not decided then make sure you have the realtor’s information and a few apartments shortlisted so that you have some information related to the place of stay. You can do online research and provide ample information on your stay.
Provide the interviewer with full information on your itinerary. Mention your date of departure, and return date, if on a student visa then course duration, etc.
Mention your relatives, education, professional, and personal affiliation in your home country that gives you the reason to return to them.
This question is aimed to determine whether you can financially support yourself during the travel. You can provide the latest CTC that you’ve drawn from your job.
Provide a detailed financial budget that you had planned for the journey, if you have the financial backing of someone then make sure that you also mention him/her.
Provide the details related to any past travels that you’ve had, if not simply say no.
Have a basic understanding of the country, the climate, culture, people, language, etc. if you speak the language of that country then it can earn you some brownie points as well.
Say yes, and tell them about your liking to follow the rules and regulations of the land. As an immigrant/tourist, you are representing your home country in a foreign land hence, it is your moral duty to ensure that you respect and appreciate the country you are visiting.
Mention the property that you own or the property that your financial supporter owns.
Countries that Need a Schengen Visa
The following are the countries that have to apply for the Schengen Visa to enter Europe-
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Comoros
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dem. Rep. Of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- South Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Türkiye
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
