The Essential Schengen Visa Requirements and Documents
When you make an application for a visa to Europe or you make a Schengen visa application, you will need to present some mandatory documents within the procedure of the Schengen visa.
The required documents for each purpose of entry into this territory are compiled on one list by the Schengen States, and for a stay in each of them, these requirements are about the same.
Let us be aware of the checklist of documents that are generally required to get a Schengen Visa, and then the specific ones needed for each visa type. In addition, let us also find a brief summary of each Schengen visa requirement and its specifications.
What Documents Should Be Prepared for Applying for a Schengen Visa?
The following is the list of documents for any kind of Schengen visa application:
Visa application form. Complete and signed.
Attach two recent photos: Both of them must be taken in the last three months according to the visa photo requirements. You can easily find your Schengen visa-compliant photo online on MyBiometricPhotos.com.
Valid passport: Issued not longer than 10 years ago, and with at least 3 months validity beyond the date of your proposed departure from the Schengen area. Old passport(s) containing visas (if any).
Round trip reservation or itinerary: You can avail of their visa consultation services like theirs. These guys can solve most of your visa requirements, especially on flight itineraries and hotel reservations, with free consultation via email.
Travel insurance policy: This is a paper that shows you have travel health cover for the whole Schengen territory, wherein in case of any form of medical emergency such as illnesses, accidents, and even revival in case of someone dies, a minimum money of 30,000 euros is promised. The Insurance policy can conveniently be purchased online from Europ Assistance.
Accommodation documents: A document showing where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Schengen like:
A booking of a hotel/hostel.
A rental agreement.
Evidence of means of subsistence: Evidence that you have sufficient means of subsistence to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the Schengen. This can include:
Bank statement, showing you have enough in it to cover the trip.
Sponsorship Letter- A letter from another person stating that he or she will sponsor your trip to the Schengen. This letter will only be considered valid if it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the person sponsoring you. This statement must not be more than 90 days old.
Bank statement account and letter of sponsorship
Visa fee receipt. For children between 6 years to 12 years, it can be euros 45 to 60, and for adults, it will be euros 90 to 120
Employees:
Employment contract
Current 6 months recent bank statement
Permission for leave from the employer.
Self-employed
Copy of business license.
Last 6 months company's bank statement.
Income Tax Return (ITR).
Students:
Enrollment proof
No objection letter from the School or University.
Retirees:-
Pension statement of the last six months.
You can be Unemployed but still engaged or married to an EU citizen :-
Valid spouse's passport
Marriage certificate.
What are the Documents of Minors Required to Obtain a Schengen Visa?
Besides the documents mentioned above, parents/guardians of minors making a Schengen visa application are required to present some more documents for the underage applicant:
Birth certificate of the minor.
A signed Application form by both parents.
Certification from a family court- if a parent has full possession of the child.
Both parents need to have authenticated copies of the ID or passport.
A notarized parental authorization – if the minor will travel alone, it shall be signed by both parents/guardians.
Are There Any Chances of The EU Embassy/Consulate Ask Me for Additional Documents?
Yes, embassies and visa centers can demand other documents from you than those on the checklist. You see that the general guide is a checklist of documents, which cannot account for each set of circumstances. If this holds for you, it doesn't necessarily mean the embassy will reject your application; they just need to have another piece of document to process it completely. People can also opt for a Schengen visa application online. But it will be better if you do it under the guidance of an expert.