Which countries take part in the Schengen area?

Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Do I need a visa to visit a Schengen country?

For verifying, if you need a Schengen visa, kindly consult the updated list at the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. The list does not include cases of diplomatic, service and special passport holders exempt from the visa obligation by a bilateral agreement. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact the Embassy.

What does the “90/180 rule” mean?

Since October 18, 2013, a rule of “90/180” has been applied. A non-EU citizen traveller may stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The notion of “any“ implies the application of a “moving“ 180-day period, looking backwards at each day of stay (be it at the entry or at the day of an actual check), into the last 180-day period, in order to verify if the 90 days/180-day requirement continues to be fulfilled.

Where shall I apply?

Submit the visa application at the diplomatic mission of the Schengen state in which the only or the main purpose (e.g. conference, business meeting) of your trip is located. If the main purpose of the trip cannot be determined, submit the visa application at the diplomatic mission of the state where you are going to stay the longest. Only if this formula cannot be used, submit the visa application at the diplomatic mission of the state where you will enter the Schengen area – i.e. at the diplomatic mission of the state you will visit first.

As a general rule, only applications from persons who reside legally in the jurisdiction of the competent Embassy/Consulate will be accepted.

When shall I apply?

Applicants can apply up to 3 months but no later than 15 days before the planned travel.

It takes up to 15 days (in specific cases up to 30 days) to obtain a visa after an application has been submitted.

How much is the visa fee?

Airport Transit Visa
	60,- EUR
Schengen visa for up to 90 days
	60,- EUR

 

At the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nairobi, as of 26th November 2018 only cash payments in EUR are accepted.

Details about fees for minors and other exceptions fromt the general fee stated above may be found at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Can I appeal visa refusal?

The applicant for a Schengen visa can appeal the refusal of a visa within 15 days from receiving the written decision about the visa refusal (Family members of EU citizens receive full justification of the refusal).  The appeal has to be lodged through a diplomatic mission at which the visa application has been filed, in writing (in Czech or English languages, hardcopy only) and state the information about the applicant, contact information and the nature of the disagreement with the visa refusal decision. Information that was not stated in the visa application cannot be a reason for lodging the appeal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic shall review the request within 30 days from the receipt of the appeal. Information on the outcome of the review is sent through a diplomatic mission.

 

 

 

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Please note that: 

• No visa can be obtained at the airport or at the border.
• There is no possibility of an “express visa procedure”, nor any fee for such a service.
• Holders of Schengen visas are still subject to immigration controls and are not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen Area countries.