Understand the Visa Rules for Your Destination
Visa country guides help African travellers understand destination-specific visa requirements, documents and application procedures before preparing an application.
Visa requirements and application procedures vary by country, purpose of travel and visa category. The TVAA Country Guides are designed to help you understand the key requirements, application process and important considerations for your chosen destination.
Use these guides as a starting point for your preparation, and always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate or official immigration authority before submitting an application.
Schengen Visa Hub
Planning to visit Europe? The Schengen Visa Hub brings together practical guidance to help you understand short-stay Schengen visas, choose the correct country for your application, calculate your permitted stay and prepare the supporting documents for your trip.
If your trip includes more than one Schengen country, the country where you apply is generally determined by your main destination. Where no main destination can be determined because the purpose and length of stay are the same in each country, you generally apply through the country whose external border you will cross first.
Choosing the Correct Schengen Country
One of the most important parts of a Schengen visa application is applying through the correct country. If you are visiting only one Schengen country, you normally apply through that country. If you are visiting several Schengen countries, you generally apply through the country that is your main destination based on the purpose of the trip or where you will spend the longest period.
If the purpose and duration of your stay are the same across the countries you plan to visit, the country of first entry generally determines which consulate should process the application.
Understanding the 90/180-Day Rule
For most short stays, travellers may spend no more than 90 days within any rolling 180-day period in the Schengen Area. The 90 days are counted across the Schengen Area as a whole, not separately for each country you visit.
The validity dates printed on your visa and the number of days you are authorized to stay are not necessarily the same thing. Always check both carefully and calculate your permitted stay before travelling.
First Entry vs Main Destination
Your first Schengen country of entry does not automatically have to be the country that issued your visa. What matters when applying is that you applied through the correct country according to the purpose and itinerary of your trip.
For example, a traveller may hold a visa issued by Italy but enter the Schengen Area through France if the genuine trip arrangements support that itinerary. Travellers should be prepared to explain their destination and may be asked to provide supporting documents at the external border.
Explore Schengen Country Guides
Each Schengen country follows the common Schengen visa framework, but appointment procedures, document instructions, application centres and local requirements can differ. TVAA Country Guides will help you understand the practical application process for individual destinations while directing you to official sources for current requirements.
Our country guides will cover popular destinations including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and other Schengen countries as the TVAA Library continues to grow
Explore Other Popular Destinations
TVAA Country Guides will also cover important destinations outside the Schengen Area, helping African travellers understand the different visa systems, application procedures and documentation requirements that apply to each destination.
Guides will include destinations such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, United Arab Emirates and selected African and Asian destinations. New country guides will be added gradually as the TVAA knowledge base expands.
Always Check Current Official Requirements
Visa rules, fees, required documents, appointment procedures and processing arrangements can change. TVAA works to provide practical and up-to-date educational guidance, but travellers should always verify the latest requirements through the relevant embassy, consulate, immigration authority or authorized visa application centre before applying.
TVAA country guides are educational resources and do not replace official immigration information or guarantee the outcome of any visa application.
Continue Your Visa Preparation
Need more guidance? Visit the TVAA Library to continue learning about visa preparation, or explore our Consultation services if you need personalized support with your application.