Description
Every customer, including children and infants, must personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date. Appointments can be booked online through the “Schedule an Appointment” section on our website.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure about whether they need a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen Area, please click on the “Do I need a visa?“ link to find out. It is important to note that holders of UK Travel Documents issued under the directives of the United Nations Convention on 28 July 1951 (blue covered travel document) and Convention on 28 September 1954 (red covered travel document) will require a visa to enter Sweden.
Important Notice: Non-EU family members of EU citizens living in the UK:
Holders of a Residence Permit based on a UK, EU/EEA national and traveling with the UK, EU/EEA national or alone will require a visa. Full documentation, as per the Visa Code, is required, along with the visa fee. Please refer to the “Tourist or Visitor Family/Friends” section for the necessary documents.
Eligibility:
In order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application, customers must meet the following criteria:
– Possess a valid passport or travel document.
– Hold a valid UK residence permit. If the customer holds a short-stay visa for the UK (C type visa), they may still apply for a Schengen visa if they are unable to apply from their country of residence due to having left the residence country more than 6 months ago.
Applying for a short-stay visa falls under various categories, including Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, or Airport Transit. It is essential to adhere to the correct visa application process based on your purpose of travel.
Documents Required
Important Notice: Non-EU family members of EU citizens residing in the UK:
If you hold a Residence Permit based on a UK, EU/EEA national and plan to travel to the UK, either accompanied by the UK, EU/EEA national or alone, you will require a visa. It is essential to provide all necessary documentation as per the Visa Code. Additionally, a visa fee will be applicable. Please refer to the Tourist or Visitor Family/Friends section for a comprehensive list of the required documents.
Photo Specification
Please ensure that you include a recent color photograph of yourself, taken within the last six months, adhering to the following specifications:
- Background: The photograph should be taken against a plain light background, preferably white or off-white. This will ensure that your features are clearly distinguishable and stand out against the background.
- Clarity: The photograph must be of high quality, with your face in sharp focus. This will enable us to accurately verify your identity.
- Facial expression: Please maintain a non-smiling expression in the photograph. Additionally, avoid wearing sunglasses, hats, caps, or any head covering, unless it is worn due to religious beliefs or ethnic background.
- Printing: The photograph should be printed on regular photographic paper, as obtained from a camera print. This will ensure that the image is clear and of suitable quality.
- Attachment: Please securely attach (glue) the photograph to the Visa Application Form.
In the event that the submitted photographs fail to meet these requirements, the visa application will be considered incomplete. In such cases, the applicant will be requested to obtain new photographs from the photo booth available at the visa application center.
Processing Time
Every customer has the opportunity to submit their Schengen visa application up to six months prior to their intended travel date to the Schengen Area.
On October 7, 2021, the European Commission made the decision to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Visa Code for citizens of Gambia. Starting from November 1, citizens of Gambia will no longer be exempt from any document requirements. The application process will now take 45 days instead of the previous 15 days. Additionally, diplomats or holders of service passports will not be exempt from the application fee, and multiple entry visas will not be granted.
It is important for customers to note that the minimum processing time for a visa application is 15 days. Therefore, it is advised to allow sufficient time between the appointment date and the intended travel date for the Mission to process the visa application. However, it is important to understand that delays may occur, and there can be no guarantees regarding the actual return date of the visa application.
For certain nationalities (please refer to the provided list), the visa application requires consultation from other Schengen countries, which may result in a longer processing time.
To avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is crucial that the application is complete and all submitted documents adhere to the Mission’s requirements (please refer to the “Documents Required” section for the different visa categories).
Customers should also be aware that during busy seasons such as Easter, summer holidays (July and August), and Christmas, appointment slots are quickly filled as the Mission can only process a limited number of visa applications per day.
Furthermore, it is important for customers to consider that closures and holidays of Mission (please refer to the “Public Holidays/Closures” section) may extend the processing time of visa applications.
We strive to provide a professional and efficient visa application process, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to the guidelines and requirements outlined above.
Therefore, highly recommends that all customers take the following actions to ensure a smooth visa application process:
- Promptly book your appointment as soon as your travel plans are confirmed. This will help you secure a convenient time slot and avoid any last-minute rush.
- Thoroughly review and ensure that all the required documentation for your visa application meets the specific requirements set by the Mission. This will help prevent any unnecessary delays or complications.
- Allow ample processing time for the Mission to review and process your visa application. It is important to plan ahead and consider any potential delays that may arise.
For customers submitting their visa application at our satellite centre in Edinburgh, please note that an additional 2 days should be factored into the minimum processing time. This is because your application will first be dispatched to our London office, and then forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
Please be aware that the Mission reserves the right to request additional information or documents, as well as invite customers for an interview during the visa application process. It is important to understand that such requests may cause delays in the visa process, and customers are responsible for any resulting consequences.
We strive to provide the best service possible and appreciate your cooperation in following these recommendations. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our customer support team.
Downloads
You may access and download all the relevant forms from this location.
Sample Visa Form Word: Sample vis -Schengen-WORD.docx
Sample Visa Form PDF: Sample vis -Schengen-WORD.pdf
Online Application form: Online Application Form
Free Consultation
In order to begin your visa application process, we respectfully request that you complete the enclosed sample form (available in either PDF or Word format) in its entirety. If at any point you are unsure about any of the information required, please leave it blank. Once the form is complete, please submit it to us, along with a copy of your passport and BRP card/UK residency documentation, as well as any past Schengen visas that you may have previously obtained.
Please send the required documents via email to sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk.
Upon receipt of these documents, we will arrange a free consultation call to further discuss your application and take the necessary next steps. For any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at +442035001580.
We place utmost importance on data privacy and protection, ensuring that all your personal information is handled, stored, and deleted in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy. You can have complete peace of mind knowing that your data is safeguarded with the highest level of security measures.
