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, meaning they should not be older than one month. These documents 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.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to review the requirements under Overview to ensure they are eligible to apply for the chosen visa category.

Standard Documentation for Schengen Visa Application

1. Visa application form (original).
2. Passport (original) – must be signed and have at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes. The passport 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. If the passport is older than 10 years, it is no longer acceptable, and the applicant must first apply for a new passport.
   3. Photocopies of previous Schengen visas issued in the last 3 years – if the previous Schengen visas are endorsed in an old passport, the old passport must also be submitted with the visa application.
   4. UK Residence permit – must be endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card. The permit must be valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area. C type visitor visa is not acceptable (see details here).
   5. Photograph (original)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

Proof of Current Occupation

To support your Schengen visa application, you will need to provide the following documentation:

1. Employer Letter (original): This letter should be recent, dated within the past month, and signed. It should be on company letterhead and addressed to the Mission. The letter should include the name and position of the signee, as well as confirmation of your employment. Additionally, please include your last three months’ payslips.
2. Student Letter (original): If you are a student, you will need a recent letter, dated within the past month, and signed. This letter should be on official letterhead and addressed to the Mission. It should include the name and position of the signee, as well as confirmation of your enrollment.
3. Self-Employment Letter (original): If you are self-employed, you will need a recent letter, dated within the past month, and signed. This letter should be on official letterhead and addressed to the Mission. It should include the name and position of the signee, as well as confirmation of your self-employment. If applicable, this letter should be obtained from:

– Your accountant: If your company’s accountancy is done by an external or independent accountant.
– Your solicitor: If your company has been registered by a solicitor.
– Your bank manager: If your company has a business bank account.
– Companies House: If you have received a Certificate of Incorporation upon registering your business. If your name is not mentioned on the certificate, you will need to provide additional proof demonstrating your connection to the company.

Unemployed/Retired

For individuals who are currently unemployed or retired, the application process for receiving benefits varies depending on their circumstances. If you are receiving benefits, you will need to provide a recent original letter obtained from your local Job centre or Pension Service. However, if you are not receiving benefits, you must include a cover letter explaining your financial situation.

For housewives or househusbands, this information is only applicable to married couples. In such cases, the applicant may be sponsored by their spouse or registered partner. To proceed with this sponsorship, the following documents need to be provided:

1. Marriage Certificate (original + copy): If the marriage certificate was issued outside the EU and is not in English, Latvian, or Russian, it must be translated by a certified translator in the UK.
2. Spouse/Registered Partner’s Passport (original + copy): A copy of the spouse or registered partner’s passport is required.
3. Spouse/Registered Partner’s Proof of Occupation: Documentation proving the occupation of the spouse or registered partner should be included. This can be in the form of B.1.a, b, or c.
4. Spouse/Registered Partner’s Proof of Funds: Evidence of the spouse or registered partner’s financial resources should be provided.
5. Spouse/Registered Partner’s Cover Letter (signed & dated): A cover letter from the spouse or registered partner confirming their sponsorship should be included. This letter must be signed and dated.

Proof of funds (in case there is no indication in the invitation that the inviting party will cover the applicant’s expenses):

The applicant must provide the latest 3 months of UK bank statements, which should clearly show the applicant’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 £13.00 per day of stay in the Schengen Area, in addition to outstanding accommodation and travel fees. Alternatively, online bank account printouts are also accepted.

Travellers’ cheques must be provided, covering the same amount as explained above.

Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car):

Confirmed return travel tickets must be submitted, clearly stating the applicant’s name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area.

If the applicant is traveling by car, they must provide car registration, car insurance, and return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) that mention the car’s registration number and the driver’s driving license. If the applicant is not the driver, a cover letter from the driver, signed and dated, confirming joint travel with the applicant and providing the travel dates, must also be provided.

If travel tickets have been paid through a travel agency, a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation is also required.

Proof of accommodation:

The applicant must provide a confirmed accommodation reservation (hotel, hostel, camping, etc.) that clearly states their name, travel dates, and accommodation address details.

If the applicant’s name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, they must also provide a joint travel confirmation letter, 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 must be provided if the signature is not on the passport’s bio page.

If accommodation is reserved for a group, a list with the names of the group members will also be required.

Travel insurance, specifically all-risk medical travel insurance, is a crucial requirement for individuals planning to visit the Schengen Area. It is imperative that the insurance policy clearly displays the applicant’s name and remains valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area. Additionally, the insurance coverage must extend for the entire duration of the applicant’s intended stay in the Schengen Area. To meet the minimum requirements, the insurance policy should provide a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation, including a clause for such circumstances.