What is the difference between a Schengen Visa (Type C) and a National Visa (Type D)?

The main difference between a Schengen Visa (Type C) and a National Visa (Type D) lies in how long you can stay and where you can travel within Europe. Here’s a clear breakdown 👇 🛫 Schengen Visa (Type C) • This is a short-stay visa for visits up to 90 days within 180 days. • Perfect for tourism, business trips, family visits, or short studies. • It lets you travel freely across all 29 Schengen countries during its validity. • Commonly known as the Schengen tourist visa. 🏠 National Visa (Type D) • This is a long-stay visa issued by a specific country (like Germany, France, or Italy). • Allows you to stay for more than 90 days — usually for work, study, or residence. • You can move through other Schengen countries for short transits, but your main base must remain in the issuing country. 💡 Example: If you’re visiting Europe for a two-week holiday — you need a Type C Schengen visa. But if you’re studying in France for six months — you’ll need a Type D National visa. ✨ At Outbound Singapore, we’ll help you determine which visa type fits your purpose, prepare all required documents, and guide you through the right application process.