Documents Required

For a list of all prerequisites for obtaining a tourist visa, please refer to the checklist.

The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the customer can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

Customers always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

Before gathering the required documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to read the requirements under the Overview section in order to ensure they are entitled to apply for the chosen visa category.

For Minors:

1. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

Visa application form (original) (see here)

Passport (original)

Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customers first needs to apply for a new passport.

Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

The UK Residence Permit, which can be endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card, must remain valid for at least three months beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area. Alternatively, a C-type visitor visa (see here) is also acceptable. In such cases, a Schengen visa application can only be accepted after careful analysis by the Mission, and it is limited to Essential Travel purposes. These purposes include business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying their corresponding family member.

Photograph (original)

1. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

Proof of current occupation

1. Employer letter (original): A recent (less than 1 month old), signed, and headed letter addressed to the Mission. This letter should include the name and position of the signee and confirm the customer’s employment and/or the last three months’ pay slips should be provided.
2. Student letter (original): A recent (less than 1 month old), signed letter from a UK school/college/university addressed to the Mission. This letter should include the name and position of the signee and confirm the customer’s enrollment.
3. Self-employment letter (original): A recent (less than 1 month old), signed, and headed letter addressed to the Mission. This letter should include the name and position of the signee and confirm the customer’s self-employment. If applicable, this letter should be obtained from:
4. The customer’s accountant: when the customer’s company’s accountancy is handled by an external/independent accountant.
5. A solicitor: when the customer’s company has been registered by a solicitor.

iii. The bank manager: when the customer’s company has a business bank account.

1. Companies House: A Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering for the business. If the customer’s name is not mentioned on the certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection customer – company should be provided. 

Receiving Benefits: A recent original letter obtained from the local Job Centre or Pension Service is required.

Not receiving Benefits: A cover letter explaining the customer’s financial situation should be provided.

For Housewives/Househusbands (only applicable to married couples): Customers may be sponsored by their spouse or registered partner. In these cases, the following documents need to be provided:

1. Marriage certificate (original + copy): If this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or Portuguese, it should be translated by a certified translator in the UK.
2. Spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy).
3. Proof of occupation of the spouse/registered partner (as in B.1.a, b, or c).
4. Proof of funds of the spouse/registered partner.
5. Cover letter from the spouse/registered partner (signed and dated) confirming sponsorship.

Proof of funds:

1. Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing the customer’s name, address, and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date. The balance needs to show a minimum amount of £80.00 – £100 per day of stay in the Schengen Area, plus outstanding accommodation and travel fees. Alternatively, online bank account printouts are also accepted.
2. Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

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

1. Confirmed return travel tickets, mentioning the customer’s name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area.
2. When traveling by car, car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving license. If the customer is not the driver, a driver’s cover letter (signed and dated) confirming joint travel with the customer and travel dates must also be provided.

In order to facilitate the processing of your visa application, when travel tickets have been paid for through a travel agency, it is necessary to provide a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation.

Proof of accommodation is also required. This includes a confirmed reservation for a hotel, hostel, camping site, or any other type of accommodation. The reservation must clearly state the customer’s name, travel dates, and the address details of the accommodation.

If the customer’s name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, an additional joint travel confirmation letter is needed. This letter must be signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation. Along with the letter, a photocopy of that person’s passport or ID card, as well as the passport signature page (if the signature is not on the passport’s bio page), must be provided.

In the case of a group reservation, a list containing the names of all group members is required. Alternatively, the names of the group members can be mentioned on the travel ticket.

Travel Insurance: Furthermore, it is mandatory to have travel insurance that covers all risks, including medical emergencies. The travel insurance must clearly display the customer’s name. It should be valid throughout the entire Schengen Area and cover the entire duration of the customer’s intended stay in the area. The minimum coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation, if applicable, must be €30,000.