Visit the official embassy website --equivalent to the United States Department of State website -- of the country you intend to visit. Verify the country's Schengen membership. Locate embassy contact information.
Contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to stay the longest. Inquire if you need an appointment to submit the application. You must submit the application in person, unless you live far from an embassy or consulate, in which case you can submit by mail. Inquire about current application fees and accepted payment methods. As of March 2011, the application cost $97.
Download the Schengen visa application. Member country websites link to the application form (see Resources). Print two copies.
Request a letter from the human resources department of your company detailing the business contact information, and the length and nature of your employment. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, you must supply this information to verify that you have sufficient funds to cover costs associated with your trip.
Complete two copies of the visa application. Each one must be an original. Indicate the length and purpose of your visit and the country where you intend to spend the majority of your time. Provide information about your parents and current employer. Explain in detail how you're financing your visit. Missing information can delay processing or result in a rejection of your visa request.
Obtain two passport photos. European countries require photos measuring 1.4 x 1.8 inches. Post offices and pharmacies offer low-cost passport photo services, or you can self-produce passport photos using specialized computer programs.
Take the following items with your two application forms to the consulate or embassy: your passport with at least one blank page valid for an additional three months beyond the length of your visit, the two application forms, the two passport photographs, a letter from your employer, an invitation from a resident in the country you're visiting or a hotel booking confirmation, an airline ticket or paid booking confirmation, evidence of medical insurance if you intend to travel through Germany or Austria, and any application fees.
Wait up to 48 hours for notification about the status of your application. The process can take longer depending on activity at the consulate or embassy. Your application fee won't be refunded if you're denied a visa. You must return to the embassy or consulate to retrieve your application materials no matter what the outcome of your application.
