What is the Schengen Visa?

There are currently 26 European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the European Union. These 26 countries share a common visa policy, meaning that there are no checks on the borders between them.

The 26 "Schengen States" are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden – plus the four associated countries: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

If a person receives a Schengen Visa for any of the above-mentioned states, he/she will be able to travel freely to all 26 of the participating countries without the need for acquiring individual visas.

What are the types of Schengen Visas?

There are three main types of Schengen Visas. These are:

• Short-stay visa (Type "C") This visa is issued for one, two or multiple visits. Its period of validity varies. It allows stays of up to 90 days over a six-month period.
• Transit visa (Type "B") This visa is issued for those who must transit through the territory of one or more Schengen States before continuing their journey to a third country. This visa may be issued for one, two, or in exceptional circumstances, several transits. The duration of each transit must not exceed five days.
• Airport transit visas (Type "A") This visa is required for nationals of certain third countries who are flying to another third country but need to make a transfer at an airport of a Schengen State.

You will find that non-member states use the same three categories of visas.

Where can I get a Schengen Visa?

You can apply for a Schengen Visa at any participating member state embassy in your region.

Thai Nationals are required to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen area.

If you plan on visiting more than one country during your travels in Europe, you should visit the embassy of the country that you plan on spending the most time in. If you are not spending a clear majority of your time in any given country, you should apply for the Schengen Visa at the embassy of the member state you will travel to first.

What are the requirements to apply for a Schengen Visa?

The minimum requirements to receive a Schengen Visa are as follows:

• Complete and sign the visa application form. It is available for download and free.
• Possess a valid passport with an expiration date that is later than your intended stay.
• Specify the purpose of your trip.
• Be able to show financial proof that is sufficient to cover the duration of your stay.
• Provide proof of travellers’ insurance that covers the amount of at least 30,000 EUR.

What does it cost?

A typical short-stay visa fee is 80 EUR. There are however circumstances where this fee can be reduced or waived.

No fees can be charged for third-country nationals who are family members of an EU citizen or of a national of the EEA Agreement, who exercises his/her right of free movement.

In addition, fees are waived for children under six years of age, school pupils, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purpose of study or educational training and for researchers carrying out scientific research as defined in Recommendation 2005/761/EC.

Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania are not part of the Schengen area. While not part of the Schengen area, some of these countries allow foreign nationals with a Schengen visa to visit. Please check the entry rules of each country.

For more detailed information, you should contact the embassy of the destination of your choice. For a listing of EU member state embassies in the region, follow the "Embassies" link on the navigation bar.

The Delegation of the European Union is not responsible for issuing visas. It is up to the member states to do so.

Unlock Your Global Potential with Erasmus+

Enriching lives, opening minds!

What is the EU?

 The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 countries in Europe. It aims at making life better, easier and safer for everyone. With rich cultural diversity, the EU is where individuals and nations, who are united by a commitment to universal values, come together to exchange ideas and knowledge.

What is Erasmus+?

Do you want to study, train, or volunteer in Europe? Meet Erasmus+!

Erasmus+ is your ticket to explore, learn and grow across Europe. It is all about bringing people together, breaking down barriers and promoting cooperation between universities across Europe.  

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. The programme is named after the well-travelled Dutch philosopher “Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam”, who travelled extensively in Europe to teach and study at a number of universities. Erasmus also served perfectly as the acronym for The European Community Action Scheme for Mobility of University Students.

Recognising the immense significance of education, youth development and cultural exchanges, the EU launched the Erasmus programme in 1987. The program has grown significantly since then, expanding its scope and depth and is now offering opportunities to international students and academics known as “Erasmus+”. It is one of the most popular international education and exchange programmes in the world!

Fun facts about Erasmus+

1. 13 million and counting

Erasmus+ is one of the European Union’s biggest success stories. Over the past 30 years, over 13 million had taken a chance to study, train, volunteer or gain professional experience abroad under the Erasmus+ umbrella. And the best news is that you could be next!

Introduced to the higher education institutions in Thailand in 2003, the first Thai national received the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters’ Degree scholarship in 2004. Until today, more than 2,000 Thai students and scholars have already embarked on this life-changing journey.

2. Career impact

Recent studies have shown that Erasmus+ enhances students’ quality of life and career prospects —during their course abroad, and long after it finishes. Furthermore, it helps students discover what they want to do after their studies, making for a happier career!

80% of Erasmus+ graduates are employed within three months of graduation, with 72% stating their Erasmus+ experience helped them land their first job. Nearly half of Erasmus+ trainees were offered a job in the company where they trained.

3. A million (or more) Erasmus babies!

Former Erasmus students are more likely to have cross-border relationships. As an Erasmus student, you will have better chances in forming international friendships that could last a lifetime. In fact, 33% of former Erasmus students have a partner of a different nationality, compared to just 13% of those who did not study abroad. And who knows, you might even meet your long-term partner while on your Erasmus journey - just like 27% of Erasmus students have!

The European Commission estimated in 2014 that Erasmus+ has brought together so many couples that around one million Erasmus babies are likely to have been born since 1987!

Why should you go for Erasmus+?

• Boost Your Career: Erasmus+ can help you boost your CV and gain valuable skills that will set you apart in the job market. About 64% of employers consider an international experience to be significant for recruitment.
• Experience different learning and teaching practices: When you go abroad, you will understand how teaching methods differ from country to country. You will learn with those differences and start looking at things from a different perspective.
• Cultivate Global Skills: Gain international and intercultural competencies, as well as cultural awareness. Dealing with people from all over the world daily will eliminate some of the myths and any preconceptions you had about different cultures. You will gain more understanding of different cultures.
• Explore, Explore, Explore: Roam your Erasmus destinations and beyond. Travelling means exploring a new culture and getting lost in unfamiliar places. Every unplanned journey becomes a story to cherish.
• Speak a New Language: Pick up a new language effortlessly while mingling with people from all over Europe. Your language skills will soar!

What types of programmes are available for Thailand?

You can take a semester or a degree-seeking program abroad through Erasmus+

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM):  Study an entire degree in Europe

EMJMs are prestigious international Master's programs jointly designed and delivered by a group of universities. It provide high quality courses and the possibility to receive joint or multiple diplomas following study or research at two or more institutions. This means that you will get to study in at least two countries in Europe.

Master’s may also offer full scholarships to the best-ranked students worldwide.

Am I eligible to apply?

·       For a student to study Master’s Degree Programme in an EMJM

• A Thai or non-EU national.
• Not a resident of any of the EU Member States.
• Have a bachelor’s degree (first degree) or be in your last year of bachelor studies. You must graduate before the master’s programme starts.
• Not currently pursuing other master’s degree programmes in Europe or elsewhere in the world.

·       For a scholar to teach or carry out research as part of an EMJM

• A Thai or non-EU scholar enrolled in any higher education institution OR a scholar enrolled in a European higher education institution that serves as a full partner in the joint program.
• Not a resident of any of the EU Member States.
• Has outstanding academic and/or professional experience.

The Degree You'll Get

• You will gain either
  • a joint degree (i.e., one single degree certificate issued on behalf of at least two higher education institutions), or
  • multiple degrees (i.e., at least two-degree certificates issued by two higher education institutions of the consortium)
• The programme is between one to two academic years.
• The EMJM covers a diverse range of academic disciplines: agricultural, food, and forestry science, artificial intelligence, art, business and management, chemistry, economic sciences, education, environmental and geosciences, history, information science and engineering, information technology, law, life sciences, literature, nanoscience, social sciences and humanities, etc.

What does the scholarship cover?

For master's students, this scholarship's got you all covered! The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel and installation, a monthly subsistence allowance for the entire duration of study, insurance costs and any other mandatory costs related to participation in the EMJM study programme. Altogether this can amount to up to EUR 24,000 (THB 915,000 ) per student for a one-year course, and EUR 48,000  (THB 1,830,000 ) per student for a two-year course.

However, students can also apply for the EMJM program as self-funded.

When and how can I apply?

The application process is simple and straightforward - just apply directly to the consortium! The application window is open from September to January each year. Application procedures and deadlines vary between courses.

Visit the catalogue at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en to find over 100 Masters programmes offering Erasmus + scholarships.

2. Erasmus+ mobility for higher education students and staff: Spend a semester or a year in Europe?

Since 2015, Thai higher education institutions (HEIs) have been able to set up mobility agreements with HEIs in the European Union. European institutions can make up bilateral partnerships with universities in Thailand and apply on behalf of their partners.

If your current university has one or more inter-institutional agreements, you can then apply to spend part of your degree (3-12 months) at European universities. Your academic activities abroad will be fully recognised and will count towards your degree once you come back to Thailand. This mobility is possible at bachelor, master, or doctorate level.

Student mobility

Student mobility can be carried out in any area of study and level of education (short cycle/bachelor/master/doctoral). In order to provide a valuable experience with maximum impact on the students, mobility activities should align with their academic and personal development goals.

Doctoral mobility

Doctoral students and recent graduates (‘post-docs’) have the opportunity to travel abroad for short or long-term study or training. It is recommended to incorporate a virtual aspect to the physical mobility experience.

Blended mobility

The Erasmus Mobility+ program offers a blended mobility option that combines physical mobility with a virtual component. This allows for collaborative online learning exchanges and teamwork among learners from different countries and fields of study. The virtual component includes online courses and assignments that are recognised as part of their studies.

Staff mobility

Are you a higher education staff member looking to gain international experience? The mobility of staff is open to all higher education staff, as well as invited staff from external institutions from outside the HEIs. This includes the opportunity to teach or train abroad at a partner institution or relevant workplace, regardless of the area of study.

Am I eligible to apply?

If your home university has established inter-institutional agreements with European partner institutions or part of HEIs, both students and staff can apply. For more information on the types of mobility opportunities at your institution, contact your home university's international relations office.

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship for Thai students going to Europe includes a monthly allowance for their expenses while abroad, which ranges from EUR 750 - 850 (THB 28,850 - 32,500) depending on the cost of living in the host country, plus a travel allowance based on the distance from the home to the hosting institution.

When and how can I apply?

Contact the international relations office of your university to enquire directly.

More information: 

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions support researchers at all stages of their careers, regardless of age and nationality. Researchers working across all disciplines are eligible for funding. The MSCA also supports cooperation between industry and academia and innovative training to enhance employability and career development. For more information, please go to https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/about-marie-sklodowska-curie-actions

Jean Monnet Module is a short teaching programme or course in the field of European Union Studies at a higher education institute. Each Module lasts 3 years, with a minimum duration of 40 teaching hours per academic year.

Jean Monnet Chair is a teaching post with a specialisation in European Union Studies for university professors for a duration of 3 years. The position is held by only one professor, who provides a minimum of 90 teaching hours per academic year.

Centre of Excellence is a hub or focal point of competence and knowledge on European Union subjects with a project duration of 3 years. The Centre has a major role in reaching out to students from faculties not normally dealing with European Union issues.

For Erasmus + Factsheet, please go to https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ff1edfdf-8bca-11eb-b85c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en