How to apply for a Schengen visa from Djibouti

Citizens of Djibouti (as well as Djiboutian residents) will likely need to pursue a Schengen visa in order to enter and travel throughout most countries in Europe. If you receive a Schengen visa from Djibouti, you will be able to spend up to 90 days in the entire Schengen area; a large zone of 26 Schengen visa countries that includes some of the most frequented states and cities in the world, including Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Madrid. Today’s blog will therefore answer some of the most commonly asked questions related to the Schengen visa for Djibouti citizens and residents, such as “Where do you apply for Schengen visa from Djibouti?” In addition, readers will also learn about the Schengen visa requirements for Djibouti passport holders, and the Schengen visa fees for Djibouti citizens and residents. All this, within a step-by-step guide to applying for a short-stay Schengen visa from Djibouti. 

• 1. Determine when you need to apply 
  • While the application process for the Schengen visa is fairly straightforward, you will want to apply early enough so that you have enough time to meet all of your eligibility requirements.  
  • Schengen visa application take three weeks on average to be processed (although processing times can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the nature of your application—whether you submit all of your documents on time, etc.). At the minimum then, you will want to submit your application at least three weeks prior to making your journey to the Schengen area. This should give you enough time to gather all of your documents and fulfill the rest of your application requirements. 
  • Therefore, while you don t have to know exactly when you want to leave for the Schengen area when you apply for your Djibouti visa, you should have a good idea of the timeframe. 
• 2. Determine what type of Schengen visa you need 
  • There are over 10 different types of Schengen visas that you can apply for as a citizen or resident of Djibouti, each of which reflects your specific purpose for traveling. 
  • For example, if you are traveling from Djibouti to Berlin for the purpose of receiving medical care, you will apply for a Medical Schengen visa. Another example: you are traveling to Paris to stay with your mother, who resides there—in this scenario, you would apply for a Visiting Friends and Family Visa.
  • The type of Schengen visa you apply for will determine the supplemental documents you must submit, among other things. To find the Schengen visa type that best describes your reason for traveling, click here.
• 3. Determine what entry “category” of visa you need 
  • When you apply for your Schengen visa, in addition to selecting your Schengen visa type, you will also need to choose the entry “category” of the Schengen visa for Djibouti citizens and residents that works for you. 
  • There are three available Schengen visa entry categories: single, double, and multiple—you should select the category that reflects the number of times you need to travel in and out of the Schengen area. 
  • For example, if you intend to enter the Schengen area once for a specific purpose, and you plan on leaving the Schengen area and not returning to it once you have left, then you should probably apply for a single entry Schengen visa. Single entry Schengen visas allow their holders one entry into the Schengen area—once you leave the zone on a single-entry, you will not be allowed back in, regardless of whether you still have time left on your visa. 
  • Alternatively, a double entry Schengen will allow you to enter, exit, and re-enter the zone one more time during your visa validity period. 
  • Finally, a multiple entry Schengen visa is the most flexible entry category available, due to the fact that it allows holders unlimited entries, exits, and re-entries into the Schengen area throughout a visa-validity period. 
  • Please note that once you receive your Schengen visa, you will not be able to change the number of entries you are allowed—even if it’s an emergency. Because of this, you should think carefully about the number of entries you may need prior to officially committing to a category. 
• 4. Determine what Schengen country to apply to 
  • As an applicant from Djibouti, you will apply for your visa through one of the Schengen visa countries. The Schengen country you apply through is the country where you intend to spend the most time on your trip. 
  • For example, if you plan on traveling to France, Germany and Spain, but you intend to spend the majority of time in France, then you should apply for a French Schengen visa. If you were to spend an equal amount of time in all three destinations, you would apply for your Schengen visa from the country that would represent your first port of entry into the Schengen area (i.e. via the country through which you enter the Schengen area for the first time). Therefore, all things being equal, if you are spending the same amount of time in the three above countries, but are entering the Schengen area for the first time via Berlin, you would apply for a German Schengen visa. 
• 5. Determine where to apply in Djibouti 
  • Where do you apply for the Schengen visa from Djibouti? Once you know what Schengen country you are applying through, you should seek out that country’s embassy, consulate, or visa application center—whichever entity is responsible for processing Schengen visas. 
  • Because Djibouti is such a small country, the vast majority of these application points will be in the capital Djibouti City (home to foreign embassies, consulates, and their affiliated visa application centers). 
  • For example, if you are applying for a French Schengen visa from Djibouti, you will apply through the French Embassy in Djibouti. 
  • Some countries, particularly smaller ones, outsource their Schengen visa processing to other countries, which are larger and maintain a more robust consular presence in the country. For example, if you are applying for a Schengen visa to the Netherlands, you will apply for it via the French Embassy, rather than through the Dutch Consulate (which does not offer this service). 
• 6. Gather your required documents 
  • Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa from Djibouti involves the submission of  multiple required and supplemental documents and materials as part of its eligibility terms and conditions. Required documents include the following:
    • Djibouti passport (or other valid passport) 
    • Two passport photos 
    • Proof of accommodation
    • Proof of finances
    • Proof of travel medical insurance
    • Visa application form 
    • Fingerprints and photos (biometric information)
    • Schengen visa fee (Schengen visa fees for Djibouti citizens and residents are 80 EUR for most applicants. For complete Schengen visa fee information, click here).
  • In addition to the above, applicants must also submit the following supplemental materials, which depend on the type of visa they are applying for. These can include visa invitation letters (for those applying for Visiting Family and Friends or Visitor’s visas, doctors reports (for those applying for Medical visas), etc. 
  • Check with the country you are applying through to verify the language requirements for submitted documents, as many countries will only accept documents in their official language, in English, or in another European language. Documents submitted in another language must be presented alongside an official translation (into an accepted language). 
  • For a complete list of Schengen visa requirements for Djibouti, click here)
• 7. Access your Schengen visa application 
  • Most Schengen visa applicants are granted the option of applying through the universal Schengen visa form, available here. 
  • Applicants going through the above method should submit a printed copy of this form with the rest of their application materials. 
  • However, some applicants will be directed to apply through a country-specific online form (this is the case with most applicants applying for a Schengen visa from Germany, who typically apply through the country’s online application portal, VIDEX, here). 
  • Those who apply online will usually be able to pay for their Schengen visa and also schedule a visa-appointment at some point during the application process. 
  • Finally, even Djiboutians who apply online will likely have to print out a copy of their online form and submit it along with the rest of their physical documents and materials.  
• 8. Schedule your Schengen visa appointment 
  • Attending your Schengen visa appointment is typically one of the key application requirements; most applicants will need to schedule an appointment in order to do so. 
  • If you have not already been prompted to schedule an appointment online, you should contact your application destination directly to see whether you need to make an appointment, or whether you can simply drop your application off during operating hours. 
  • Please know that almost all residents and citizens of Djibouti will be asked to show up in person for their Schengen visa appointment, and most applicants will have to schedule an appointment in advance of doing so. 
• 9. Attend your Schengen visa appointment 
  • Your Schengen visa appointment is where you will fulfill the following Schengen visa requirements:
    • Formally submit your complete Schengen visa application.
    • Pay your Schengen visa fee (unless you have previously paid it). 
    • Have your photos and fingerprints—biometric information—collected (unless you already submitted it within the past 5 years on a previous Schengen-visa application). 
    • Attend a short visa interview (unless you frequently travel to the Schengen area). 
  • However, please note that even if you have already paid your visa fee, had your biometric information collected, and travel frequently to the Schengen area, you may still be asked to show up in person for a visa appointment, and even be interviewed. 
• 10. Await your application decision  
  • The majority of Schengen visa applicants from Djibouti will receive a decision on their application in as few as three weeks, although the process might take longer (30-60 days) for those who have more complicated applications, or due to other external circumstances.  
  • If you are approved for a Schengen visa from Djibouti, you will retrieve your passport and visa and be able to proceed with your trip. 
  • If you are rejected for a from Djibouti Visa, you have the option of appealing. For general information about repealing a Schengen visa rejection, click here.