Important Documents for Your Schengen Visa Application

26 member states are in the Schengen Area, requiring the Schengen Visa. These countries include Belgium, Austria, Denmark, The Czech Republic, Finland, Estonia, Germany, France, and 18 others.

If you wish to enter the Schengen Area — regardless of what the purpose of your visit is — you’ll be subject to the visa regime based on your nationality. If you’ve never traveled to any parts of Europe once, in planning your trip, this is the 1st question you need to ask yourself: “Is a visa needed to enter the Schengen Area?”.

As of now, over 60 countries around the world are free to travel to Europe without first getting a visa. Citizens in this visa-free zone can stay in any European nation for 90 days within a period of six (6) months.

If your nationality does not fall in any of these 60 countries, you are required to get a visa to enter the Schengen territory. To simplify the process involved in visiting any nation in this sub-region, here are the important documents for your Schengen visa application.

Documents Required to Apply for a Schengen Visa

Outlined below are required documents for all short-term Schengen visa applications:

• Download a Schengen visa application form, fill it completely and have it signed.
• Get a valid passport ready, and it must not be older than ten (10) years. Also, yur passport should remain valid three (3) more months — at least — beyond the date you intend leaving Schengen Area. 
• Two (2) photos, which are recently captured, have to be attached. You have to ensure these photos are taken within the last 90 days (three months), as stipulated in the visa photo requirements.
• The next document is your travel insurance policy. This is a document, which serves proof that you own travel health insurance for the entire Schengen territory, containing a minimum coverage of €30000. This sum is necessary should any medical emergency crops up, like accidents, illnesses, and repatriation if death occurs. You can easily buy the Insurance policy from Europ Assistance or AXA Schengen.
• Prepare a round trip reservation/itinerary, which has to specify dates & flight numbers that show your entry as well as exit from the Schengen territory. You can find visa consultation services online. Such firms will help you handle the bulk of your visa requirements, including hotel reservations, flight itineraries, and free consultation via email.
• Evidence of financial means is needed to show you’ve enough money to cater to your financial needs throughout your entire stay in a Schengen nation. Such proof could be any of these:
• Your statement of bank account showing there is enough money in your account to cover all the trip expenses. This statement must be less than three (3) months old.
• A sponsorship letter, which is obtained from another individual, confirming they are willing to provide financial support for your trip to the Schengen Area. This letter is only valid if it is accompanied by your sponsor’s bank statement, which is less than three (3) months old.
• You can equally make use of a combination of a bank account statement & a sponsorship letter.
• Evidence of accommodation has to be made available — this document will show the place you’ll be accommodated throughout your Schengen stay. Any of these can serve as proof of accommodation:
• A rental agreement
• A hostel or hotel booking
• An invitation letter from your host whose house you intend to stay.
• Evidence of paid visa fee is another document you need for your Schengen visa application. The fee is pegged at €35 for children aged 6–12 and €60 for adults.

How Long Does It Take to Process Your Visa?

It will take approximately 10–15 working days to process your Schengen visa.

Booking an Appointment

It’s recommended to book your appointment a month ahead for smooth preparation for your imminent trip. You can apply at a date up to twelve (12) weeks prior to your departure date.

Wrapping up

In the heart of this write-up, we have outlined all the important documents for your Schengen visa application. Equipped with this information, you will find the visa application process easier and faster.