Description
All customers, including children and infants, are required to personally submit their Schengen visa applications on their scheduled appointment date.
To determine if a Schengen visa is necessary for travel to the Schengen Area, non-EU citizens can click on “Do I need a visa?“ Please 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.
For customers traveling for business purposes, such as attending meetings, conducting business deals, recruiting, training, or engaging in other work-related activities, they can apply for a business visa. A confirmation invitation letter from a business or company based in Sweden is required for the application.
Every business visa application must be accompanied by an invitation letter from a business or company based in Sweden. Failure to provide this letter will result in the customer being required to apply for a tourist visa instead.
Furthermore, individuals attending conferences, seminars, or workshops have the option to apply for a business visa under the following circumstances:
- Employees who are attending a conference, seminar, or workshop organized by their own company or a company directly affiliated with their employer.
- Employees who will actively participate in a conference, seminar, or workshop.
- Students who are attending a conference, seminar, or workshop related to their studies.
It is essential that the employer’s letter clearly states the purpose of attending the conference, seminar, or workshop. Failure to provide this information will result in the customer being required to apply for a tourist visa.
We understand the importance of these requirements in ensuring the appropriate visa is granted to each individual. By adhering to these guidelines, we can ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process.
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 that country more than 6 months ago.
- Apply for a short stay visa under one of the following categories: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, or Airport Transit.
Documents Required
The following list of documents is not exhaustive, and the customer may be asked to provide additional information or documents if requested by the Mission.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, no older than one month, and are mandatory for every Schengen visa application.
Customers are required to bring and present their original documents, but only need to submit photocopies unless specified otherwise in the requirements.
Before gathering the necessary documents mentioned below, customers are advised to carefully review the requirements outlined in the Overview section to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category.
For official delegations traveling to participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations, exchange programs, or events held in Schengen by intergovernmental organizations, the following documents are required:
– A letter from the relevant authority of the third country confirming the applicant’s membership in the official delegation traveling to Schengen for the aforementioned events, accompanied by a copy of the official invitation from the intergovernmental organization in Schengen.
– Alternatively, a Verbal Note can be provided.
- STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
– Schengen Visa application form (original)
Valid Passport: Your passport must be signed and have at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes. It should be valid for a minimum of 90 days (about 3 months) beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area. Additionally, the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of departure from the Schengen Area. If your passport is older than 10 years, you will need to apply for a new one before proceeding with the visa application.
UK Residence Permit: Your UK residence permit, either endorsed in your passport or issued as a Biometrics card, should be valid for at least one month beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area. If you are applying for a C type visitor visa, it is only acceptable if you were unable to apply from your country of residence due to already being outside the residence country and residing consecutively in the UK for more than 6 months.
Supporting Documentation for Schengen Visa Application:
Proof of Current Occupation:
- Employer Letter: You need to provide an original, signed, and recent letter from your employer (less than 1 month old). The letter should be on a company letterhead and include the company registration number in the UK, contact details, address, date of issue, your position, and salary. Additionally, you must include your last three payslips.
b. Student Letter (for conference attendance): If you are attending a conference, you must provide a recent, signed letter from your UK school/college/university (less than 1 month old). The letter should be addressed to the Mission and include the name and position of the signee. It should confirm your enrollment, type of studies, completion date, number of lessons (hours) per week, and attendance record.
Self-employment letter (original): A recent (less than 1 month old), signed, and headed letter is required. The letter should be addressed to the Mission and include the name and position of the signee. It should confirm the customer’s self-employment status and be obtained from the appropriate source depending on the circumstances:
- Customers accountant: If the customer’s company’s accountancy is handled by an external or independent accountant.
- Solicitor: If the customer’s company has been registered by a solicitor.
iii. Bank manager: If the customer’s company has a business bank account.
- Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering the business. If the customer’s name is not mentioned on the certificate, additional proof demonstrating the connection between the customer and the company should be provided.
Proof of business/conference invitation: An original (preferably) cover letter from the inviting company/organization in Sweden is required. The letter should confirm the customer’s name, purpose of visit, period of visit, and provide confirmation of travel and/or accommodation arrangements. Additionally, a Company Registration Certificate in Sweden should be included.
Proof of funds:
The following documents are required:
- Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing the customer’s name, address, and an end balance dated within the last month of the visa application submission date. The balance should reflect a minimum amount of £40.00 per day of stay in the Schengen Area, along with outstanding accommodation and travel fees.
- Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under point a.
- Credit card(s) and credit card statement showing the cardholder’s name and address. The statement must include information about the monthly limit or sending cap.
Travel insurance, specifically all-risk medical travel insurance, is a crucial aspect of any travel plan. It is imperative that the travel insurance clearly displays the customer’s name and remains valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area. Additionally, the insurance must cover the entire duration of the customer’s intended stay in the Schengen Area. To ensure adequate protection, the minimum coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation, including a clause for such circumstances, should amount to a minimum of €30,000.
Photo Specification
Photo Specification – Rephrased
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 meet the requirements set by the Mission. Please refer to the “Documents Required” section for the specific 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, we highly recommend that all customers book their appointment as soon as they are aware of their travel plans.
It is crucial to ensure that the documentation for their visa application meets the requirements set by the Mission. Additionally, customers should allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to review their application.
For customers submitting their visa application at our satellite center in Edinburgh, it is important to factor in an additional two days to the minimum processing time. This is because their application will initially be sent to the London office before being forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
During the visa application process, the Mission may request additional information or documents, or even invite customers for an interview. It is important to note that these requests may cause delays in the visa process, and customers must accept responsibility for any such delays.
We understand the importance of a smooth and efficient visa application process, and we strive to provide the best service possible. By following these recommendations and allowing ample time for processing, customers can ensure a seamless experience.
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
Checklist: Documents checklist for Business-Employed- SWEDEN.pdf
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 [email protected].
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.