Description
All applicants are required to personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure about whether they need a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen Area, please click on “Do I need a visa?” for clarification.
Applicants who plan to visit the Schengen Area solely for tourism purposes, such as leisure, recreation, or sightseeing, and will arrange their own accommodation (hotel, hostel, B&B, camping, etc.), should apply as tourists.
Eligibility
To be eligible for submitting a Schengen visa application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a valid travel document and a valid UK residence permit. If the applicant holds a short stay visa for the UK (C type visa), they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence. (Refer to the example here for clarification.)
- Apply for a short-term Schengen visa to Estonia for purposes such as tourism (including minors), private visits, business, study/conference/seminar, EEA/EU and Swiss national family members, or other short-stay purposes.
Documents Required
The following list of documents is not exhaustive, and the Mission may request additional information or documents from the applicant if desired.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, no older than one month, and must be provided for every Schengen visa application.
Applicants are required to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies unless specified otherwise.
Documents issued by a foreign country must be translated into Estonian or English and certified with an Apostille or legalized. Documents issued by the UK must be apostilled.
Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants should review the requirements under Overview to ensure they are eligible for the chosen visa category.
Please include the CHECKLIST for Tourism with your application. Incomplete applications may not be accepted.
Required documents:
Valid travel document (Passport) – issued within the previous 10 years, containing at least two blank pages for visas, and valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa expiration date (original plus copy).
Application form – Kindly note that the Embassy only accepts pre-filled online application forms for Schengen visa applications. Please utilize the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM – C-Visa. Once completed, the application form must be printed, signed, and submitted along with a recent color passport photograph.
United Kingdom Residence Permit – Valid for at least 1 month beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area (original plus copy).
Travel Arrangements – Provide proof of a confirmed travel ticket to the Schengen area and departure from the Schengen area to the United Kingdom or the final destination country.
Travel Insurance policy – Valid throughout the entire Schengen area or worldwide, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR for the entire duration of the stay in the Schengen area. The travel insurance must be obtained from an insurance company approved by the Schengen countries (original plus copy).
Bank Statement – United Kingdom bank statement (covering the last 3 months) in the applicant’s name and address, displaying detailed transactions and a balance that demonstrates sufficient financial means for both the intended stay and the return to the United Kingdom or the applicant’s country of origin. Alternatively, it should show the ability to lawfully acquire such means, in accordance with Article 5(1)(c) and (3) of the Schengen Borders Code.
OR If the applicant is financially supported by their spouse (for instance, if the applicant does not work themselves), please also provide a marriage certificate and the spouse’s bank statements, along with a copy of their passport.
Please be aware that cash is not accepted as proof of sufficient means.
All C-visa applicants must demonstrate that they have a minimum of 70 EUR per person for each day they intend to spend in the Schengen area.
Proof of Employment/Proof of Student Status:
Applicants must provide a recent, official, and signed letter from their employer. This letter should include the employer’s name, position of the signatory, date of issue, address, recent telephone number, and registration number in the United Kingdom. Additionally, applicants must submit pay slips for the past three months.
For self-employed individuals, a recent letter from an accountant, banker, or solicitor is required. This letter should be on official letterhead and include the name, date of issue, address, recent telephone number, position of the signatory, and registration number in the United Kingdom. The letter should confirm self-employment or business ownership in the United Kingdom. A letter from the tax authorities is also necessary.
For students, a recent, official, and signed letter from a school, college, or university in the United Kingdom is required. This letter should state the date of issue, name of the applicant, type of studies, number of lessons (hours) per week, and attendance record.
Proof of Purpose of Travel – Tourism:
Applicants must provide a confirmed hotel booking for the entire duration of their stay in the Schengen area. Alternatively, they can submit any other appropriate document that states their planned accommodation. If the applicant has booked a European tour, they should provide the booking confirmation or any other relevant document.
Please note: If you plan to visit other Schengen countries after Estonia, you must present your travel schedule and all relevant documents that prove your intended travel.
For minors (children below 18 years of age), the following documents are required in addition to those mentioned above:
- Birth certificate (original and copy)
- Both parents’ original passports must be presented during the application process. If either or both parents’ original passports are not available, a notarized copy of the passport’s bio data page is required. This is not necessary if one parent has sole custody or a residence order for the child.
- Proof of consent from the parent(s) or legal guardian with parental authority.
Note: The above-mentioned requirements are essential for the application process of minors.
Photo Specification
Please submit one current color portrait of yourself that is no older than six months that satisfies the conditions listed below:
- Captured on a light background (white or off-white) to make features stand out and contrast with the background.
- Face-focused and of high clarity
- Full face: not grinning, no sunglasses, no hats or other head coverings, unless the applicant is wearing them due to his or her ethnicity or religion.
- Printed from a camera print on standard photographic paper.
- The photo that is adhered to the visa application form
The visa application will be deemed incomplete if the submitted photos don’t fulfill these specifications (see examples here), and the applicant will be asked to take fresh pictures in the photo booth at the visa application center.
Processing time
Applicants are welcome to submit their Schengen visa application up to six months prior to their planned travel date to the Schengen Area.
It is important to note that the minimum processing time for a visa application is 15 calendar days. Therefore, it is strongly advised that applicants allow sufficient time between their appointment date and travel date for the Mission to process their visa application. However, it is important to understand that delays may occur, and there are no guarantees regarding the return date of the visa application.
During the visa application process, the Mission may request additional information or documents, or even invite applicants for an interview. It is crucial to acknowledge that these requests may cause delays in the visa process, and applicants must take responsibility for any resulting delays.
For applicants submitting their visa application in our satellite centers, it is necessary to account for an additional 2-3 working days in the minimum processing time. This is because the visa application will first be dispatched to the London office, and then forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
To ensure a smooth and timely visa application process, it is of utmost importance to complete the application and ensure all documents submitted meet the Mission’s requirements. Please refer to the “Documents Required” section for the specific visa category to ensure compliance.
It is also essential to be aware of any closures or holidays at the Mission offices, as these may extend the visa application processing time.
We highly recommend that all applicants:
– Book their appointment as soon as their travel plans are confirmed.
– Ensure that all documentation in their visa application meets the Mission’s requirements.
– Allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to complete the visa application.
By following these guidelines and being proactive in the application process, applicants can minimize any potential delays and ensure a smooth and efficient visa application experience.
Free Consultation
To proceed with your visa application, please fill out the attached sample form (PDF, Word) completely. If you are unsure about any information, leave it blank. Once you have completed the form, please return it to us along with your passport, BRP card/UK residency, and copies of any previous Schengen visas that you have held.
Please forward the documents through email: [email protected]
A consultation call will be scheduled after we have received this information to further discuss the application.
OR
After sending the documents you can call us at +442035001580.
We strictly follow the GDPR Policy, your documents will be handled/saved & deleted accordingly.