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Schengen Area Visa Guide

Complete guide for East Africans · Updated 2025

Available visa types

C Visa

Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Tourist/Business)

Allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all 27 Schengen member states. Apply at the embassy of the country where you will spend the most nights.

EUR €80 (adults); €40 (children 6–12). Reduced or free for some nationalities.

15 calendar days (standard); up to 45 days in complex cases. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.

D Visa

National Long-Stay Visa

For stays exceeding 90 days in a specific Schengen country. Typically for study, work, or family reunification in one country. Each country issues its own D visa.

Varies by country: Germany EUR €75; France EUR €99; Netherlands EUR €192

4–8 weeks depending on country

Blocked Seat

Study Visa (per country)

Germany: Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) EUR €11,208/year required. France: Campus France registration required. Netherlands: MVV + Authorization for Temporary Stay required.

Varies by country

6–12 weeks. Germany is typically fastest for blocked-account holders.

EU Blue Card

EU Blue Card (Skilled Worker)

For highly qualified non-EU workers. Requires a job offer with salary at least 1.5× the average gross salary of the country. Pathway to permanent residence.

Varies by country: Germany EUR €110; Netherlands EUR €192

4–8 weeks after job offer

Family

Family Reunification Visa

For spouses and dependent children of EU residents or citizens. Application submitted in the applicant's home country.

Varies by country

3–9 months depending on country

Notes by country

🇰🇪 Kenya

Kenya applicants: French Embassy in Nairobi processes the most Schengen applications due to Air France connections. German Embassy is on Ludwig Krapf Road. Dutch, Belgian, Italian embassies are all in Nairobi's Gigiri/Upper Hill area.

🇷🇼 Rwanda

Rwanda applicants: French Embassy in Kigali (Boulevard de l'Umuganda) and Belgian Embassy are the primary Schengen offices. Germany has a development cooperation office but visa applicants may be redirected to Kampala or Nairobi for some member states.

🇺🇬 Uganda

Uganda: German, French, Dutch, and Italian embassies are all in Kampala. French Embassy on Lower Kololo Terrace handles the highest Schengen volume in Uganda.

🇹🇿 Tanzania

Tanzania: French Embassy in Dar es Salaam (corner of Bagamoyo Road) is the main Schengen processing office. German Honorary Consulate is in Dar es Salaam; German visa applications are submitted through VFS.

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Ethiopia has more Schengen embassies represented than most African capitals due to its status as AU headquarters. German, French, Italian, Dutch, and Swedish embassies are all in Addis Ababa.

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