Description
To ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process, we kindly request that all customers, including children and infants, personally submit their Schengen visa applications. This can be done by scheduling an appointment on our online booking system.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure if they require a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen Area, please click on “Do I need a visa?“ to find out.
If your purpose of travel is for business-related activities, such as attending meetings, conducting business deals, recruiting, or training, you may apply for a business visa. However, it is important to note that every Business visa application must be accompanied by an invitation letter from a business or company based in Malta. Failure to provide this letter will result in the need to apply as a Tourist.
Additionally, individuals attending conferences, seminars, or workshops may also apply for a business visa. This includes employees who are either attending an event organized by their own company or by another company directly related to their employer. To support this application, an employer letter must clearly state the purpose of attending the conference, seminar, or workshop. Without this letter, the customer will be required to apply as a Tourist.
To be eligible for 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, known as a C type visa, they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence.
- Apply for a short stay visa for purposes such as Tourism (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, or Airport Transit.
Documents Required
Please note that the list of documents provided below is not exhaustive, and the customer may be asked to provide additional information or documents if requested by the Mission.
For non-vaccinated travelers or those who have received vaccinations not recognized by Malta, it is necessary to complete the required form. You can access the form by clicking here.
Both the standard documentation and supporting documents must be recent, meaning they should not be older than one month, and must be provided for every Schengen visa application.
Customers are required to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies unless the requirements specifically state that an original document must be submitted.
Before gathering the necessary documents mentioned below, we strongly advise customers to carefully review the requirements outlined in the Overview section. This will ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category.
STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
- Visa application form (original) – Click here to access the form.
- Passport (original and photocopy) – Your passport must be signed and have at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes. It should also be valid for a minimum of 90 days 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 leaving the Schengen Area. If your passport is extended, it may still be valid, but if it is older than 10 years, it is no longer acceptable. In such cases, you will need to apply for a new passport.
- Photocopies of previous Schengen visas – If you have any previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued within the last 3 years, please provide photocopies of these visas, if applicable.
- UK Residence permit (original and copy) – You must provide the original and a copy of your UK Residence permit. This permit should be either endorsed in your passport or issued as a Biometrics card. It must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area. Please note that a C type visitor visa is not acceptable.
Applicants who possess an outdated version (Pre-Brexit) of the UK Residence Card, which includes the label “Family Member – EU Residence,” must also furnish a Share Code as proof of their immigration status. These cards were originally intended to be replaced by the new BRC, which indicates “EU Scheme Pre-Settlement” or “EU Scheme Settlement,” but they are still in circulation.
It is important to note that EU/EEA family member residence cards issued prior to Brexit are only valid for re-entry into the UK if the individual has applied for pre-/settled status. To substantiate their EUSS Status, it is necessary to obtain and present the share code generated by UKVI at the time of submission.
Please ensure that the photograph provided is an original copy.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
Proof of Current Occupation
- Employer Letter (original): This letter should be recent, dated within the last month, and signed (not digital). It should be on company letterhead and addressed to the Mission, clearly stating the name and position of the signee. The letter should confirm your current employment with the company.
- For Self-Employed Individuals: If you are self-employed, you will need to provide a recent, signed letter on company letterhead. This letter should also be addressed to the Mission and should confirm your self-employment status. Additionally, you should obtain this letter from the relevant source depending on your situation:
– Customers Accountant: If your company’s accountancy is handled by an external or independent accountant, the letter should be obtained from them.
– Solicitor: If your company has been registered by a solicitor, the letter should be obtained from them.
– Bank Manager: If your company has a business bank account, the letter should be obtained from your bank manager.
– Companies House: If you have received a Certificate of Incorporation upon registering your business, you should provide this document. If your name is not mentioned on the certificate, you will need to provide additional proof demonstrating your connection to the company.
Proof of Business Invitation
You will also need to provide a recent (not older than 1 month) signed invitation letter from a company or business in Malta. This letter should confirm the purpose of your visit, travel dates, and arrangements for accommodation and travel, if applicable.
Proof of Funds
To demonstrate your financial capability, you should provide your latest three months’ UK bank statements. These statements should clearly show your name, address, and an end balance dated within the last month of the visa application submission date. The statements should be stamped by a local branch. If you are employed,
Travellers’ cheques should be obtained for the same amount as explained in section a.
Proof of travel, whether by airplane, train, boat, coach, or hired car, is required.
For flight tickets, it is essential that they are fully paid and confirmed, with the applicant’s name matching their passport, inbound and outbound travel dates to/from the Schengen Area, Airline Reservation Code, and E-Ticket number clearly stated. In the case of holiday packages paid in instalments, evidence must be provided showing that at least 75% of the total cost has been paid at the time of application. Applications submitted with provisional flight tickets/reservations, incomplete payments, or bookings made through unregistered UK travel agencies will be considered invalid and may result in the refusal of the application.
When traveling by car, the following documents are required: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) indicating the car’s registration number, and the driver’s valid driving license. If the customer is not the driver, a signed and dated cover letter from the driver confirming joint travel with the customer and specifying the travel dates must also be provided.
If traveling through multiple Schengen countries, evidence of transportation between these countries must be provided.
Proof of Accommodation
To provide proof of accommodation, please ensure that your reservation includes the following details: the customer’s name, travel dates, and the address of the accommodation. This applies to reservations made at hotels, hostels, camping sites, or any other type of lodging.
In the event that the customer’s name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, an additional joint travel confirmation letter is required. This letter must be signed and dated by the person whose name appears on the reservation. Along with this letter, please provide a photocopy of the same person’s passport or ID card, including the passport signature page if the signature is not on the passport’s bio page.
For group reservations, a list containing the names of all group members is necessary. Alternatively, the names of the group members can be mentioned on the travel ticket.
Travel Insurance
It is mandatory to have travel medical insurance that covers all risks. The insurance policy must clearly state the name of the policy holder and be valid for the entire Schengen Area. Additionally, it should cover the entire duration of your trip and have a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation. Please note that the insurance policy must be purchased through a UK registered insurance provider.
If you plan to make multiple trips to the Schengen Area, please do not submit a single-trip insurance policy.
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
Customers are advised to submit their Schengen visa application up to 6 months before their intended travel date to the Schengen Area. It is important to note that the minimum processing time for a visa application is 3 weeks. Therefore, customers must 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 we cannot guarantee the exact return date of the visa application.
To ensure a smooth and timely visa application process, it is of utmost importance that the application is complete, and all documents submitted meet the requirements set by the Mission. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary delays.
Customers should also be aware that during peak 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 daily. Additionally, closures and holidays of Mission may further extend the processing time.
Therefore, we strongly recommend the following to all customers:
- Book your appointment as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
- Ensure that all documentation in your visa application meets the requirements set by the Mission.
- Allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to review your application.
For customers submitting their visa application in our satellite centers in Manchester or Edinburgh, please note that an additional 2 days should be calculated into the minimum processing time. This is because the application will first be dispatched to the London office, and then forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
During the visa application process, the Mission may request additional information/documents or invite the customer for an interview. It is important to understand that this may cause delays, and applicants must accept responsibility for any resulting delays in the visa process.
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.
