Schengen visa is one of the most powerful visas in the world, allowing the holder to travel freely within 29 European countries without having to apply for a separate visa for each country, and enjoy many other privileges. So what is a Schengen visa? Which countries can I go to with a Schengen visa? and for how long? Let's SHD Academy Find the answer in the article below!

>> Reference:

• German Passport: The Country with the Most Powerful Passport in the World
• Instructions for preparing your own application for a German vocational study visa
• Total cost of vocational study in Germany latest 2025

What is a Schengen Visa? 

A Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows you to enter 29 countries in the Schengen area. According to the Schengen Agreement, effective from March 26, 1995, this type of visa allows the holder to travel freely within 29 member countries with a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period from the date of first entry. 

For example, if you first enter the Schengen area on January 1, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days between January 1 and June 30 (180 days). If you stay for 90 consecutive days (from January 1 to March 30), you will not be able to re-enter the Schengen area until June 30, when a new 180-day period begins.

The aim of the Schengen Agreement is to promote international economic integration and enhance cooperation between European countries. As a result, the Schengen visa has become one of the most powerful visas in the world, helping to simplify procedures, save time and costs when applying for a visa and entering this area.

A Schengen visa is not only the “key” that opens the door to free movement, travel and exploration of diverse cultures, but also helps you access high-quality education. With this visa, students vocational training in Germany can participate in short-term courses, exchange programs or research at many prestigious training schools in Schengen countries, while expanding career opportunities in leading developed countries in Europe.

>> Reference:

• Instructions for the discount of German vocational training 2025
• Summary of information about self-funded vocational study in Germany

What types of Schengen visas are there? 

There are different types of Schengen visas, classified based on the purpose and duration of stay of the visa applicant. Specifically as follows:

Schengen Visa type A (type A)

This is a transit visa, allowing travelers from countries outside the Schengen area to transit in the Schengen area to continue their journey to another country outside the Schengen area. However, not all countries can apply for this type of transit visa, including Vietnam. Therefore, instead of applying for a Schengen Visa type A, you can apply for a Schengen Visa type C to transit in this area.

Schengen Visa type C (type C)

Short-term visas allow citizens to enter Schengen countries for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting relatives, internships or short-term courses. The maximum stay is 90 days within a 180-day period from the date of first entry. In addition, depending on the purpose of use, the visa Schengen Type C is further divided into subtypes, including:

• Single entry visa (Single Entry): This type of visa only allows visitors to enter once and can travel through many countries in the Schengen area within the specified period of stay (less than 90 days). If the citizen leaves the area before the end of the period of stay, the visa will immediately expire even though it is still valid.
• Double entry visa (Double Entry): This visa allows citizens to enter twice, and can travel through many Schengen countries with the condition that the stay does not exceed 90 days in a 180-day cycle.
• Multiple entry visa (Multiple Entry – MULT): This type of visa allows visitors to enter the Schengen area multiple times during the visa's validity period, but each stay is for a maximum of 90 days within 6 months from the date of entry. Based on entry frequency Depending on individual needs and schedules, visitors can apply for a multiple entry visa with a longer stay of 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.

Schengen Visa type D (type D)

It is a long-term visa that allows citizens to stay in Schengen countries for up to 180 days for the purpose of studying, working, researching or obtaining a residence permit.

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Which countries are visa-free with a Schengen Visa? 

So which countries can you visit with a Schengen visa? According to the latest Schengen Agreement, which took effect on March 31, 2024, expanding the scope of countries in the Schengen area, Schengen visa holders can enter and travel freely in 29 countries in Europe for a period of 90 days without an additional visa. Including: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Poland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania and Bulgaria.

Note: Schengen visa allows free travel with Bulgaria and Romania through air or sea borders, land borders are not accepted.

In addition, when you have a Schengen visa, you also enjoy other attractive privileges such as:

• Visa-free entry to Mexico for tourism and business purposes for a maximum period of 180 days.
• No need to apply for Taiwan E visa, visa-free entry into this country for 14 days.
• When applying for a Turkish E visa, no original invitation letter is required.
• No need to prove financial resources when applying for a visa to Korea.
• Increase visa approval rate in countries like USA, Australia, Canada and other developed countries.

>> Reference:

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• How much is the cost of living in Germany for international students?

Conditions for being granted a Schengen Visa 

After knowing which countries can be accessed with a Schengen visa, let’s continue to learn about the conditions for obtaining this type of visa. Depending on the type of visa as well as the country you want to apply for a Schengen visa, there will be different requirements. Basically, to be granted a Schengen visa, you need to meet the following conditions:

• Prepare a complete application, providing all the information required by the visa approval agency. Ensure that the information is accurate, truthful and has a clear purpose.
• Proof of sufficient financial capacity to cover expenses during stay as well as transit costs through a third country.
• Proof of being able to return to Vietnam immediately after the trip ends and not residing illegally.
• Your visa is not on the list of subjects denied entry visas.

For international students studying vocational training in Germany, if you want to apply for a Schengen visa to travel or participate in short-term courses in other countries in the Schengen area, you need to meet the following additional conditions:

• Currently holding a valid German vocational study visa (type D).
• Have a residence permit in Germany, which allows you to travel within the Schengen area for a certain period of time.
• Demonstrate a clear purpose of travel, such as tourism, business or short-term course.
• Have travel insurance or health insurance in accordance with Schengen regulations.

>> Reference: 

• All about health insurance in Germany for international students
• SHOULD I STUDY AT A VOCATIONAL COLLEGE IN GERMANY?

What does a Schengen Visa application include?

When preparing a Schengen visa application, you need to provide the following necessary documents:

How long is a Schengen visa valid for? 

Which countries can a Schengen visa go to and how long is it valid for? Depending on the needs and purposes of the individual when applying for a visa and the duration of the visa Schengen will not be the same. Normally, a single Schengen visa will be valid for 180 days and the maximum stay is 90 days according to the Schengen Agreement. When planning a trip to Europe, you need to pay attention to the 90/180 day rule and keep track of your entry and exit times to ensure your visa is still valid.

As for multiple visas, the validity can be from 6 months to 5 years, but each entry can only stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a long-term visa or residence permit.

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Hope the above article has answered your questions. Which countries can I go to with a Schengen visa? and how long is it valid for. It can be seen that owning this powerful visa not only helps you move freely within the Schengen countries but also gives you the opportunity to access quality education and develop your career in a promising international environment. If you are interested and want to learn more about German vocational study abroad program – If you are a Schengen country, please contact us immediately. SHD Academy Call hotline 0336 760 276 for detailed advice and support!