Millions of travelers visit the Schengen area every year that is why the most frequently asked question by these travelers is “What do I need to apply for a Schengen visa?” This article aims to answer this question by listing down the general requirements for a Schengen visa as well as a detailed explanation for each requirement. After reading this article, travelers will be aware of what he/she needs to complete before sending an application to a Schengen member embassy.
What do I need to apply for a Schengen visa? – The Requirements:
Whether you are visiting only one country within the Schengen area or backpacking to several territories, you will need to complete almost the same documents to any one of the Schengen member embassy. Although you must apply from the embassy where you plan to stay the longest, the Schengen visa requirements are almost the same across all the 20+ Schengen member embassies.
1: Schengen Visa Application Form
What do I need to apply for a Schengen visa? Of course, you need to fill out an application form. If you click on the link above, it will lead you to a blank form and you can type in your personal information and finally print it after you’re done. Answer all the items as completely and as honestly as you can. Give your complete name, date of birth, and address as how it appears on your passport. You also need to jot down whether you have been granted a Schengen visa before and the dates of validity. Also, you need to write the dates you intend to travel to the Schengen territory and how many entries you will need. Finally, you need to write your financial viability to prove that you can afford the travel costs.
2: Valid passport
You need a valid passport that will not expire in 6 months from the date of entry in any of the Schengen nations. For example, if you plan to travel in September 2017 and your passport will expire in January 2018, then you must renew your passport before travelling to the Schengen area. You may apply for a Schengen visa using your current passport but must apply for a new one before your travel date.
Photocopy the front and the back covers of your passport as well as the previous Schengen visas, if any.
3: Current passport photos
If you look at the visa application form, you will see a slot on the upper right hand corner. That slot is where you will paste your passport photo. Your 2 passport photos must be identical and must be 3.5cm x 4.5cm in size. Background must be white and your photo must show your face with no hair or accessories blocking it.
4: Details of Travel Plan
Applicants must supply the embassy with a detailed hotel booking, flight booking, and travel itinerary. These three requirements are your proofs of travel within the Schengen area. These will also guide the embassy on the length of your visa’s validity and the number of allowed entries to the Schengen area.
You need not pay for your hotel and flight bookings in full. In fact, the embassies are discouraging applicants from purchasing plane tickets and hotel reservations prior to securing a visa. You can get a legitimate pencil-booked flight itinerary and hotel booking through our Schengen Travel.
5: Travel Insurance
As per the Schengen visa rule amended in 2003, all travellers visiting the Schengen area must have a travel insurance to cover any medical expenses or repatriation expenses in case of emergency.
Get an affordable travel insurance with the best insurance coverage from Schengen Travel Insurance.
6: Personal Coverage Letter
This mandatory written letter must include your honest purpose of travelling to the Schengen area. You must also include a list of the attached documents that come with your Schengen visa application form. This of this coverage letter as a way of introducing yourself to the consul and that you are a credible traveller who do not intend to overstay or defect to the Schengen area.
7: Bank Documents
This requirement is probably one of the most important documents that will either seal the deal or break the camel’s back. So when you ask yourself the question “What do I need to apply for a Schengen visa?” make sure you have enough financial backup to prove that you can afford the travel costs to the Schengen area. If you are not paying for the costs and you have a sponsor, make sure you have the pertinent bank documents of your sponsor that proves that he/she or the company can afford it.
8: No Objection Letter
For employed travellers, whether travelling for business or for leisure, a No Objection Letter can help you prove to the embassy’s consul that you are currently employed and your employment status is stable so there is no reason for you to look for a job elsewhere. This letter must be written by your employer and addressed to the Schengen embassy you are applying from. It must contain your tenure and your salary. Finally, it must indicate that the company is allowing your travel leave.
9: Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee may vary from country to country and from embassy to embassy. It may be more expensive if the embassy has a third-party visa processing unit. In any case, just be ready with at least $100 for adults and $50 for children below 12 years old.
What do I need to apply for a Schengen visa? – Start completing the requirements:
Now that you know the important documents required by the Schengen member embassies, you are now ready to complete your documents. Make sure you do not take any one of the mentioned requirements because all of these will prove your intentions for travel. When you submit a complete set of requirements, then your visa interview will not be as difficult and stressful.
So the next time you ask yourself “What do I need to apply for a Schengen visa?” just read back this article and you will find all the answers to this question.
