Field-by-field
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| Valid for | Schengen states (or specific countries if LTV) |
| From / Until | Dates the visa is usable. You can enter any time in this window. |
| Type of visa | Usually "C" (short-stay) — the standard tourist visa. |
| Number of entries | "01" (single), "02" (double), or "MULT" (multiple). |
| Duration of stay | Maximum days in Schengen — often 90, but can be less. |
| Issued in | The consulate that issued the visa. |
| Issued on | Date of issue. |
| Surname / Given names | As they appear on your passport. Must match exactly. |
| Passport number | Your travel document number. |
| Remarks | Any special conditions — e.g. "VTL only" for limited-territory visas. |
Number of entries
- 01 — Single entry. Once you exit Schengen, the visa is spent even if days remain.
- 02 — Double entry. Two trips allowed.
- MULT — Multiple entry. Unlimited entries within validity, subject to 90/180-day rule.
Dates & duration of stay
The "From"/"Until" window is when the visa is valid — i.e. when you can use it. The "duration of stay" is how many days you can physically be in Schengen. They're different things.
Worked example
A MULT visa valid 1 Jan 2026 → 31 Dec 2026, duration 90 days, lets you make any number of trips inside that year, but no more than 90 days total within any 180-day period.
See our validity vs duration explainer and the 90/180 calculator.
Spotting errors before you travel
- Check name spelling against passport — every accent and hyphen.
- Check passport number matches.
- Check the validity dates cover your trip.
- Check the entry code matches what you applied for (especially MULT vs 01).
If anything is wrong, return to the consulate or VAC immediately. Errors usually fixed within 1–3 days at no charge if reported before travel; expensive to fix at the border.
Visa about to expire?
Renew or re-apply through our wizard. Returning applicants are flagged as low-risk and often approved faster.
Start your application →