A Schengen visa is a visa that allows you to travel to 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen area. If you’re planning to visit Europe from South Africa, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa. In this article, we’ll discuss how much a Schengen visa costs in South Africa.
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa is a visa that allows you to travel to 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen area. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
A Schengen visa allows you to enter any of these countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa.
How much does a Schengen visa cost in South Africa?
The cost of a Schengen visa in South Africa varies depending on your age, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your visit. The current fees as of July 2021 are as follows:
- Adults: €80 (approximately ZAR 1,415)
- Children aged 6-12: €40 (approximately ZAR 707)
- Children under 6: Free
If you’re applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, you’ll need to pay the full fee. If you’re applying for a visa extension or a visa renewal, the fee may be lower.
Additional fees
In addition to the visa fee, you may need to pay additional fees for:
- Biometric data collection: ZAR 1,350
- Visa application center service fee: ZAR 1,010
These fees are payable to the visa application center where you submit your application.
How to pay for your Schengen visa
You can pay for your Schengen visa using a credit or debit card, or by depositing the fee into the relevant bank account. The payment details will be provided when you submit your application.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa?
The processing time for a Schengen visa application in South Africa is usually 15 days. In some cases, it may take longer, up to 60 days, if additional documentation is required.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to visit Europe from South Africa, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa. The cost of a Schengen visa in South Africa varies depending on your age, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your visit. You may also need to pay additional fees for biometric data collection and visa application center services. The processing time for a Schengen visa application is usually 15 days, but it may take longer in some cases. Make sure to apply well in advance of your planned travel dates to avoid any delays.
