What is a Schengen Cultural Visa?

A Schengen cultural visa is the short stay visa that allows the visa bearer to attend any cultural, religious, media related, or sports activity carrying out in the Schengen region. 

Who needs a Business Schengen Visa ?

All the citizens of the countries that do not come under the agreement of the visa-free regime with the EU member states must apply for a Schengen cultural visa prior to going to the Schengen territory. More details can be found at who needs Schengen visa blog.

Where do you need to apply for a  Cultural Schengen Visa?

When you are going to visit only one Schengen territory, then go to the consulate or embassy of that country to get the Schengen cultural visa. But, if you are going to visit more than one country then use the following rule to select the consulate or Embassy:

• Apply where you are going to spend more time when you are visiting two countries for an unequal time
• Apply where you will be landing first where you are about to spend the same time in two countries

What Documents you need to apply for a Schengen Cultural Visa?

After deciding the embassy, you need to collect all the required documents for your cultural Schengen visa and visit the embassy for the interview. The required documents are:

• Schengen visa application form
• Two similar photographs
• Passport valid for 3 months after your return to the homeland and not older than 10years
• Passport data page copy in A4 size
• Flight itinerary showing dates of arrival and departure 
• Evidence of accommodation like hotel booking information
• Means of subsistence
• Cover letter showing your purpose of travel
• Evidence of civil status like marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.
• Schengen travel insurance

Above mentioned are the common things required by the general public as well when applying for the Schengen visa. When you are specifically applying for the cultural Schengen visa, there are some special documents that you need to present at the embassy.

• Event information such as enrollment number, invitation letter, or any other document showing the information related to the event that you will attend 
• Previous performance information especially for the cultural and sports activities
• A written request from the cultural organization showing the nature of the event and other important information about the invited person

Required Documents for Film making crew for Schengen Cultural Visa

Apply for the business Schengen visa at least 15 days before you want to travel to the Schengen territory. The earliest you can apply for the visa is three months.

• Letter from the filmmaker having details of the title of the movie with the subject and the recording destinations
• Evidence of authorization from the producer to shoot the movie
• Complete list of crew members going to the Schengen state with you
• Certificate of registration of the applicants as the crew member

When to apply for cultural schengen visa

Normally, any Schengen consulate or Embassy will take around 15 days to issue the cultural visa valid in the Schengen territory. So it is suggested that apply at least two weeks before you intend to travel. But applying one month before is recommended as it can take more time for visa approval when there’s a special need of supporting documents.

What is the Validity of the Schengen Cultural Visa?

It is the same as other types of Schengen visa that allows you to stay in the Schengen territory for the period of 90 days in the time frame of six months. But the validity is mainly dependent upon the visa issuing Embassy. There are cases when this visa is only valid for a week or so depending upon the need of the applicant. Mostly, this visa is only valid on the dates of the events that you are going to attend. 

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