LIST OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR FAMILY / FRIENDS VISIT VISA

It is highly recommended that you submit a comprehensive set of documents following the requirements listed below. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary delays.

It is important to note that the final decision to approve or refuse a visa rest solely with the Diplomatic Mission. Please be aware that the Diplomatic Mission reserves the right to request any missing or additional documents, which may further extend the processing time.

All documents must be recent, no older than one month, and must be provided for each Schengen visa application. Applicants must bring and present both the original documents and their photocopies.

Online Visa Application Form

Passport (original) – A signed passport with at least two blank pages for visa purposes. It must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and should have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of departure from the Schengen Area.

Note: An extended passport may still be valid, but if it is older than 10 years, it is no longer acceptable. In such cases, the customer must first apply for a new passport.

UK Residence Permit (Original and Photocopy)
To ensure a smooth entry into the Schengen Area, it is essential that your UK Residence Permit, whether endorsed in your passport or issued as a Biometrics card, remains valid for a minimum of 90 days (about 3 months) beyond your planned return date. Please note that a C-type visitor visa will not be accepted.

Photograph (original) One recent color photograph, not more than 6 months old, on a white or off-white background.

Proof of Occupation

Employer Letter: This letter should be original and recent, dated within the past month. It should be on company letterhead and addressed to the Mission, clearly stating the name and position of the signee or 3 months of payslips.

Self-Employment Letter: If you are self-employed, you need to provide an original letter, also recent and dated within the past month. This letter should be on the letterhead and addressed to the Mission, clearly stating the name and position of the signee. The letter should confirm your self-employment status. If applicable, this letter can be obtained from your accountant or HM Revenue & Customs. In addition, you must submit your business bank account statements for the past three months, and a recent accountant letter stating your yearly income can be provided.

Student letter (original & recent) (less than 1 month old), UK school/college/university letter (addressed to the Mission, name, and position of the signee and confirming applicant’s enrolment)

Unemployed/Retired: Please provide a recent original letter obtained from the local Job Centre or Pension Service to verify your current employment status.

Proof of funds (if the company is not covering expenses):

– Provide the latest three months’ UK current account bank statements, clearly showing the applicant’s name, address, and an end balance. These statements should be dated within the last month of the visa application submission date. The balance must reflect a minimum of £40 per day for the duration of the stay in the Schengen area. Online bank account printouts are also acceptable. Please ensure that the bank statements are no older than five days.

– Additionally, the amount must cover the cost of tickets and accommodation if they are not already paid for.

– Travelers’ cheques are also an acceptable form of proof of funds, provided they cover a minimum of £40 per day for the duration of the stay in the Schengen area. These cheques must be signed by the applicant.

If sponsored by a spouse, parent, or adult child in the UK or Germany, the following documents are required:

Original and copy of the marriage/birth certificate. If this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or German, it must be translated by a certified translator.

Sponsor’s Passport (copy)

Sponsor’s Proof of Funds:
– The sponsor must provide evidence of sufficient funds in a UK or German bank account, with a balance of at least £40 per day for the duration of the stay in the Schengen area.

Sponsor’s Proof of Occupation:
– The sponsor must submit either a hand-signed student or employment letter, accompanied by an original stamp, or three months’ worth of pay slips.

Sponsor’s Cover Letter:
– A signed and dated cover letter from the sponsor is necessary to confirm their sponsorship.

Formal Declaration of Obligation:
– In addition, any other person can provide a Formal Declaration of Obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung), which can be obtained from the German Embassy in London (if the sponsor resides in the UK) or from the sponsor’s local Town Hall authority (Foreigners Office – Ausländerbehörde) in Germany (if the sponsor resides in Germany).

Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, car):
This includes confirmed return travel tickets that clearly state the applicant’s name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area. If the travel is within Schengen countries, it is necessary to provide travel tickets as evidence.

Only documents from travel agents are not accepted for air travel.
If traveling by car, ferry tickets must be provided as proof of travel.

While filing a complete application does not guarantee visa approval, it is advisable to book a fully refundable return ticket. This ensures flexibility in case the visa is not granted.

Proof of accommodation (If the company is not covering accommodation):

– A confirmed accommodation reservation (hotel, hostel, camping, etc.) that clearly states the applicant’s name, travel dates, and accommodation address details. If the applicant’s name is not mentioned on the reservation, a joint travel confirmation letter must be provided. This letter should be signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation. Additionally, a photocopy of that person’s passport/ID card and passport signature page should be included if the signature is not on the passport’s bio page. In the case of a group reservation, a list containing all group members’ names will be required. The group members’ names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

All-risk medical travel insurance:

The insurance must be issued in either the UK or Germany and display the applicant’s name. It is essential that the insurance remains valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area and covers the entire duration of the applicant’s intended stay. The minimum coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation, including a clause for such cases, must amount to €30,000.

Every minor is required to provide the following documents as part of the Standard Documentation:

– Original and copy of the birth certificate
– Unabridged birth certificate displaying the names of the biological parents. If the certificate is not in English or German, it must be translated by a certified translator.
– Copies of the parents’ passports, including the bio pages and pages with signatures.
– Written consent, signed and dated, from both parents mentioned on the child’s birth certificate.
– Proof of sole custody in the case of a single parent.
– If the parents have divorced or if one of the parents has passed away, this must be demonstrated through a court/residence order (original to be presented) or a certificate (original to be presented).
– In the case of a guardian, the guardianship letter and the guardian’s passport should be attached.