Whether or not you need a Visa to travel to Schengen countries depends upon your nationality and your status in the country from where you are travelling. While some categories are granted free, privileged entry to Schengen regions, others might have to undergo verification and interview processes to be granted the same degree of privilege.

So, if you belong to that group of travelers who needs to submit documentation for applying to a Schengen Visa, here is what you need to arrange for.

Basic Documentation Required for Schengen Visa Application

The following documents are mandatory but might be modifiable depending upon purpose of entry.

• Signed and completed visa application form.
• Two passport-sized photos taken within the last three months.
• Valid passport not older than 10 years with the expiration date greater than 3 months from the date of leaving the Schengen area.
• Proof of financial support during your stay. This could be a bank statement or a sponsorship letter not more than 3 months old or a combination of both.
• Affidavit of support in case you do not have a bank account or enough bank balance to support your stay in the Schengen area. This has to be provided by the host relative or friend by means of a signed ‘Official Affidavit of Support’.
• A letter of invitation of friend or relative residing in the Schengen area along with name, address and copy of their passport. If they are not citizens of the Schengen country then a copy of the resident permit is required.

In addition, you must also ensure that you have a flight itinerary for Schengen Visa, travel insurance for Schengen Visa and hotel booking for Schengen Visa in order to speed up your visa processing. You can avail all these services professionally and effortlessly at www.schengenvisaitinerary.com.

• Flight Itinerary: Flight itinerary for Schengen Visa is essentially a dummy air ticket showcasing your flight dates and entry/exit points of your round trip. In short, you get a detailed flight reservation without making any payment up-front.
• Travel Insurance: Travel insurance for Schengen Visa should display a minimum coverage of €30000. This is to prove that you have adequate health coverage for medical emergencies, accidents, as well as repatriation in case of death.
• Hotel Reservation: Like dummy air tickets, hotel booking for Schengen Visa is hotel reservation without payment. It only acts as proof of your accommodation options during your stay.

Once you have demonstrated your travel viability and affordability to travel to the Schengen Country, you have to pay the visa fee. The visa fee is £60 for adults and £35 for children aged 6 to 12.

Other Documents Required According to Applicant’s Employment Status

• Employees should submit their Employment Contract, Bank Statement of the previous 6 months, Permission of Leave from the employer, and Income Tax Returns deducted at source of salary.
• Self-employedprofessionals should submit a copy of their Business License, Bank Statement of latest 6 months, and ITR.
• Students who are applying to study in the Schengen area should submit Proof of Enrolment and No Objection Letter from the School or University of enrolment.
• Retirees should submit their Pension Statement of the last 6 months.
• Spouses of EU Citizens should submit confirmation of employment from spouse’s employer, position held in company along with starting date, valid passport, and marriage certificate.

Sometimes, depending on the country you are travelling from, you might need a Schengen Visa even if you are not visiting it or staying there, but only travelling through the Schengen region. This is called an Airport Transit Visa. For this visa you need to submit a valid visa and flight ticket for the destination country you are travelling to.