A Schengen visa enables its holder to enter the 25 Schengen States for an uninterrupted visit (single-entry visa) or several visits (multiple-entry visa), whose duration is indicated on the visa. The duration has a maximum of three months (90 days) in any half-year from the date of first entry in the Schengen area.

The Schengen area includes the following 25 European countries : Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen area is an area of free movement of persons. According to the Treaty implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985, the 25 Member States have abolished checks on persons at the time of crossing of their internal borders. Henceforth the checks on persons is only carried out at the time of crossing of the external border of a Member State, which then acts on behalf of all of the other States of the Schengen area. Schengen visa insurance is essential to issue Schengen visa.

The main insurance requirements that consulates require while issuing the Schengen visa are

(a) The insurance company must have a representative office in Europe
(b) The medical evacuation/repatriation coverage must be at least US $37,500
(c) The insurance plan must be valid throug out the duration of stay in the Schengen states