Schengen Visa Requirements - Documents Required to Obtain a Visa to Europe (2023)

When applying for a visa to Europe, you will have to submit some required documents as part of the Schengen visa application process.

The Schengen States have created a list of the required documents for each purpose of entry in this territory, and these requirements are approximately the same for a stay in each of them.

In this article, you can find a checklist of the generally required documents to obtain a Schengen Visa, as well as the specific required documents for each visa type. In addition, you will also find a short brief for each requirement and its specifications.

What Documents are Required when Applying for a Schengen Visa?

The following list of documents are required for any short-term Schengen visa application:

• Visa application form. Fully completed and signed.
• Two recently taken photos must be attached.Both photos must be taken within the last three months, according to the visa photo requirements.
• A valid passport. Not older than 10 years, and it should valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area. Older passports with visas on them (if you have any).
• Round trip reservation or itinerary. It must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schengen area. You can use the visa consultation serviceslike this one. These guys can handle most of your visa requirements, such as flight itineraries and hotel reservations, along with free consultation over email.
• Travel insurance policy. A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency such as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death. The Insurance policy can easily be purchased online from Europ Assistance.
• Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Schengen. This can be one of the following:
  • A hotel/hostel booking.
  • A rental agreement.
  • A letter of invitationfrom a host at whose house you will be staying.
• Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the Schengen. This can be one of the following:
  • Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
  • Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
  • A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship.
• Proof of paid visa fee. €80 for adults and €45 for children from 6 to 12 years old.

Along with the aforementioned generally required documents,Schengen embassies around the world require some specific documents from the visa candidates depending on their employment status as well as several additional documents depending upon the type of Schengen visa applied for.

Do Embassies Require Additional Documents Beside the Ones That Are Listed?

Yes. Apart from all the mandatory documents when applying for a Schengen visa, depending on the type of visa, you are seeking there are several additional documents that can be required by the embassy/consulate.

Schengen Visa Requirements According to Applicant’s Employment Status

Specific required documents, based on the visa applicant’s employment status are as follows:

• For employees:
  • Employment contract.
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.
  • Leave permission from the employer.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
• For the self-employed:
  • A copy of your business license.
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR).
• For students:
  • Proof of enrollment.
  • No objection letter from the School or University.
• For retirees:
  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
• If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
  • Confirmation of Employment letter, no older than three months, from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date.
  • Spouse’s valid passport.
  • An official marriage certificate.

What Documents are Required for Schengen Visa for Minors?

The parents / legal guardians of minors applying for a Schengen visa must submit some extra documents for the underage applicant:

• The minor’s birth certificate.
• Application form signed by both parents.
• Family court order – in cases where only one parent has full custody of the child.
• Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents.
• A notarized parental authorization signed by both parents/guardians if the minor will be travelling alone.

Specific Documents Required According to Schengen Visa Type

Apart from all the aforementioned documents, depending on the Schengen visa type you are applying for, several additional documents should be submitted as well.

Below you will find the information about all the additional documents needed for any type of Schengen visa separately.

Documents Required when Applying for an Airport Transit Visa

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen Airport transit visa are:

• A valid visa (if needed) for the final country one is travelling to
• The flight ticket for the final country you are travelling to

Documents Required when Applying for a Visa to Visit Relatives or Friends

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa to visit relatives/friends are:

• Affidavit of Support.In case one does not have a bank account or does not own enough funds to be taking care of their expenses during this travel, one must ask the visiting friends or relatives to sign an “official affidavit of support” at the corresponding office in his/her place of residence. Make sure you carry the original document when applying for the visa.
• Travel Itinerary.The applicant’s description of their trip, the purpose of travelling, the time frame and all the personal date written down in a letter.
• Means of Subsistence.If the applicant declares that he/she will be covering all the travel expenses, proof of one’s financial status is requested otherwise if the relative/friend is to cover the applicant’s expenses, a formal document issued by the competent authorities to a resident of a Schengen country (the friend/relative in this case) is to be submitted.
• Letter of Invitation. By the relative/friend residing in a Schengen country. If the applicant will be covering the expenses on his/her own, the relatives/friend’s names, addresses and the copy of their passports will suffice. In case that the friend/relative is not a citizen of this Schengen country, a copy of the residency permit will also be required.

Documents Required when Applying for aTourist Visa

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa for tourism purposes are:

• Bank statement. Preferably for the last 6 months.
• Affidavit of Support.In case one does not have a bank account or does not own enough funds to be taking care of their expenses during this travel, one must ask the visiting friends or relatives to sign an “official affidavit of support” at the corresponding office in his/her place of residence. Make sure you carry the original document when applying for the visa.
• Travel Itinerary. The applicant’s description of their trip, the purpose of travelling, the time frame and all the personal date written down in a letter, as well as hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident of a Schengen country.

Documents Required when Applying for aBusiness Visa

On the following link, you can find the list of required documents to obtain a Business Schengen visa.

Documents Required when Applying for aTraining Visa

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen Training visa are:

• Enrollment certificate. At an eligible institution for the courses, one will be attending in the Schengen country.
• No objection letter.NOC from the educational institution where the visa applicant is currently enrolled (if applicable)

Documents Required when Applying for aMedical Visa

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen Medical visa are:

• A letter from a doctor/clinic/hospital in the home country of the visa candidate, that he or she needs medical treatment.
• Official confirmation of the treatment/appointment by the receiving medical institution (hospital/clinic) in the EU.
• Proof of financial means. Proof that the applicant has sufficient financial means to pay the medical expenses and other related expenses throughout their treatment.This can be one of the following:
  • Bank statements.
  • Letter of sponsorship + bank statements of the sponsor.
  • Proof of advance payments of the treatment + bank statement for other related expenses.
  • Verbal note from the Ministry of Health of applicant’s home country – which must declare the readiness of the relevant government of the applicant’s home country to cover his medical treatment costs (for covered medical treatment by the Government of the home country of the applicant).

Other Travel Purposes

If the purpose of your visa is different from any of those listed above, then you should collect the additional documents listed below, according to your purpose of travelling to Europe.

Documents Required whenTravelling to Europe for the Purpose of Studying

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen Student visa are:

• Two application forms instead of one.
• Letter of acceptance at an EU University/College/School.
• Proof of financial means. Documents that show one is able to reside and financially maintain him/herself during their stay in the Schengen zone.

Documents Required whenTravelling to Europe for the Purpose of Employment

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen Working visa are:

• Two application forms instead of one.
• Employment contract. A contract between the applicant and the future employer residing in the Schengen territory.

Documents Required whenTravelling for the Purpose of Joining a Spouse Residing in EU

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa to join a Spouse residing in the EU are:

• Two application forms instead of one.
• The original certified copy of the marital certificate.
• A copy of the spouse’s passport, if he/she is an EU citizen. If the spouse is not an EU citizen, but only lives in a Schengen country the copy of his/her residency permit is to be submitted as well.

Documents Required when Travelling for the Purpose of Participating in Cultural, Sports or Religious events in Europe

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa forCultural, Sports or Religious events are:

• Event Information. I.e. invitation letters, entry tickets, enrollment conditions, detailed programme and other documents that present relevant information about the event.
• Proof of previous performances.Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).

Frequently Asked Questions About the Required Documents for Schengen Visa Application

Do I buy the plane ticket before or after they issue the visa?

After. One must have a copy of the reservation of the return ticket for the time intended to be travelling. It is not recommendable to buy the ticket before getting the visa, if not necessary.

If someone is expecting me at the Schengen country, how do I document that to the Embassy/Consulate?

If you are applying for a Schengen visa to visiting friends or relatives living in the Schengen Area, there are some additional documents you need to attach in order to prove it such as:

• The formal invitation by the relative/friend residing in a Schengen country.
• If the applicant declares that he/she will be covering all the travel expenses, proof of one’s financial status is requested otherwise if the relative/friend is to cover the applicants’ expenses, a formal document issued by the competent authorities to a resident of a Schengen country (the friend/relative in this case) is to be submitted.
• If the applicant will be covering the expenses on his/her own, the relatives/friend’s name, and copy the address of their passport will suffice. In case that the friend/relative is not a citizen of this Schengen country, the copy of the residency permit will also be required.

How much money do I have to own in order to get the Schengen visa?

Only enough to cover the expenses made during the trip as in, accommodation and everyday costs for the days being.

Do I have to send copies of previous visas when applying for a Schengen visa?

Yes, in case you have any.

Do I need additional documents to reside more than 90 days in a Schengen country?

Yes. Depending on the nature of your travel, there are several other document one has to attach in order to obtain a long-stay visa aka National visa “D”.

Should I bring my medical file with me if I am travelling to a foreign country?

In case you have a preexisting health condition it is highly recommendable.

Europe Visa Requirements for:

• South Africans
• Indians
• UK residents
• Americans
• Canadians
• Australians
• Emiratis
• Filipinos

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