Description
All applicants, including children and infants, must personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure about whether they require a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen Area, please click on the “Do I need a visa?” link to find out.
Applicants who plan to visit the Schengen Area solely for tourist 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 to submit a Schengen visa application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a valid passport or travel document.
- Hold a valid UK residence permit.
- Apply for a short-stay visa, including categories such as Tourist (including minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, or Airport Transit.
Please note that the above information is provided in a professional tone of voice to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Documents Required
The following list of documents is not exhaustive, and the Mission may request additional information or documents from the applicant if necessary.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, not 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. Please refer to the required documents below.
Before gathering the necessary documents mentioned below, applicants are advised to review the requirements under the Overview section to ensure they are eligible to apply for the chosen visa category.
Standard Documentation for Schengen Visa Application
- Visa application form (original)
- Payment receipt
In addition to the cover letter, a payment receipt must be obtained, printed, and submitted.
- Passport (original and photocopy)
The passport must be signed and have 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 must have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of departure from the Schengen Area.
An extended passport may still be valid, but if it is older than 10 years, it is no longer acceptable. In such cases, the applicant must first apply for a new passport.
Please provide photocopies of any previous Schengen visas that were endorsed in an old passport and/or issued within the last three years, if applicable.
We require the original and a photocopy of your UK Residence permit. The permit must either be endorsed in your passport or issued as a Biometrics card, and it must be valid for at least one month beyond the return date of your trip to the Schengen Area. If you hold a UK biometric card, please provide a photocopy of both sides.
Additionally, we need an original recent photograph for your application.
Proof of your current occupation:
– Employer letter (original): This letter should be recent, signed, and on official letterhead. It should be addressed to the Mission, include the name and position of the signee, and confirm your employment.
– Student letter (original): If you are a student, please provide a recent letter from your UK school/college/university. The letter should be signed or stamped, addressed to the Mission, and include the name and position of the signee, as well as confirmation of your enrollment.
– Self-employment letter (original): If you are self-employed, please provide a recent letter on official letterhead. It should be signed, addressed to the Mission, and confirm your self-employment. This letter should be obtained from either your accountant (if your company’s accountancy is done externally) or your solicitor (if your company has been registered by a solicitor).
If your business is registered with Companies House, please include the Certificate of Incorporation you received upon registering your business. If your name is not mentioned on the certificate, please provide additional proof demonstrating your connection to the company.
Unemployed/Retired
For individuals who are currently unemployed or retired, the application process for obtaining benefits varies depending on their circumstances. If you are receiving benefits, it is necessary to provide a recent original letter obtained from the local Jobcentre or Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). On the other hand, if you are not receiving benefits, a cover letter explaining your financial situation should be included.
Housewife/Househusband (only applicable to married couples)
If you are a housewife or househusband and wish to apply for a visa, you may be sponsored by your spouse or registered partner. In such cases, the following documents need to be provided:
- Marriage certificate (original + copy): If the certificate was issued outside the European Union and is not in English, it must be translated by a certified translator in the UK.
- Spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy)
- Spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation (as mentioned in B.1.a, b, or c)
- Spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds
- Spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed and dated) confirming sponsorship
Proof of Funds
To demonstrate your financial capability, you need to provide the latest three months’ UK current or savings account 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 balance should reflect a minimum amount of £50.00 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
Travellers’ cheques should be obtained to cover the same amount as explained under point a.
Proof of Travel
To validate your travel plans, you must provide confirmed return travel tickets. These tickets should clearly mention your name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area
When traveling by car, there are several documents and requirements that need to be fulfilled. First and foremost, the car registration and car insurance must be provided. Additionally, if the applicant is not the driver, a cover letter from the driver confirming joint travel with the applicant and travel dates is necessary.
In the case of travel tickets being purchased through a travel agency, a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation is also required.
Proof of accommodation: A confirmed reservation from a hotel, hostel, camping site, or any other type of accommodation must be provided. This reservation should clearly state 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 signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation is necessary. Along with this 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 included.
In the case of group reservations, a list with the names of all group members or the mention of their names on the travel ticket will be required.
Travel insurance: The travel insurance must be all-risk medical travel insurance and should clearly show the applicant’s name. It must be valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area and cover the entire duration of the applicant’s intended stay. The minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation expenses should be 30,000 €.
Please note that all photocopies should be made on A4 paper and that the photo should not be glued or stapled.
We kindly request that all applicants comply with these requirements in a timely manner to ensure a smooth and efficient application process.
Processing Time
To ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience, we highly recommend applying well in advance of your intended departure date. It is advisable to submit your Schengen visa application at least 4 weeks prior to your planned trip. Please note that if you choose to apply at our satellite centre in Edinburgh, additional processing days may be required.
Every applicant has the opportunity to submit their Schengen visa application up to 6 months before their intended travel date to the Schengen Area. This allows ample time for the necessary processing procedures.
The minimum processing time for a visa application is 2 weeks. Therefore, it is crucial for applicants to allocate sufficient time between their appointment date and travel date, allowing our Mission to thoroughly process their visa application. It is important to note that we cannot guarantee the exact return date of the visa application, as unforeseen delays may occur.
To avoid any unnecessary delays in the visa application process, it is of utmost importance that the application is complete, and all required documents are submitted in accordance with our Mission’s requirements. Please refer to the “Documents Required” section for specific details pertaining to different visa categories.
Applicants should also be mindful that during peak seasons such as Easter, summer holidays (July and August), and Christmas, appointment slots are in high demand and fill up quickly. Our Mission processes a fixed number of visa applications on a daily basis, so it is advisable to secure your appointment as early as possible.
Furthermore, it is essential for applicants to consider that the processing time of visa applications may be extended due to closures and holidays observed by Mission. Please refer to the “Public Holidays/Closures” section for a comprehensive list of these dates.
Therefore, We highly recommends that all applicants take the following steps to ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process:
- Promptly schedule an appointment as soon as travel plans are confirmed. This will help avoid any last-minute rush and ensure ample time for processing.
- Thoroughly review and double-check all visa application documentation to ensure it meets the specific requirements set forth by the Mission. This attention to detail will help prevent unnecessary delays or complications.
- Allow for sufficient processing time, taking into account any potential delays that may arise during the visa application process. By allowing for extra time, applicants can avoid any unnecessary stress or inconvenience.
For applicants submitting their visa application at our satellite centre in Edinburgh, it is important to note that an additional two days should be factored into the minimum processing time.
It is important to understand that the Mission reserves the right to request additional information or documents, as well as invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process. These requests may cause delays in the visa process, for which applicants must accept responsibility.
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: sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk
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.
