Supporting documents are mainly required to assess if the applicant meets entry conditions and to evaluate the possible risk of illegal immigration and security.
The required documents for a Schengen visa depend on the trip’s purpose, length, destination, and local conditions. Common documents include flight tickets, medical insurance, and proof of financial means, while specific trips may need additional items like invitation letters.
Which documents should be submitted for a Schengen visa application?
It is necessary to submit documents providing evidence of:
- the purpose of the intended journey. For business trips, provide a personalized invitation from a company and documents proving business relations (e.g., contracts, invoices). For tourism or visiting family/friends, submit an invitation from the host with their ID and proof of residence. Note that hotel reservations alone may not be accepted as proof of travel purpose due to easy cancellations. Confirmation of organized trip bookings can also be included.
- proof of accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover the applicant’s accommodation;
- possession of sufficient financial means both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence, or for the transit to a third country; The proof may be constituted by: recent bank account statements (at least the last three months), credit cards and a credit card account statement, salary slips; proof of sponsorship or private accommodation, prepaid hotel reservation etc.
Proving intent to leave Schengen and Medical Insurance Requirements
- the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa (examples: reservation of or return or round ticket; proof of financial means and/or employment in the country of residence; proof of real estate property in the country of residence; proof of integration into the country of residence by means of family ties; professional status.
- Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen visa: minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000 and shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen area. Where possible, it should be taken out with a company based in the applicant’s country of residence or in a Member State. The insurance shall cover the entire period of the applicant’s intended stay, i.e. the insurance shall only cover the period of effective stay, and not the validity of the visa. In case of a multiple-entry visa the travel medical insurance should cover the first intended stay.
Do I have to submit original documents when applying for a Schengen visa? Are photocopies/scans enough?
Documents that are required for the application and that will be kept by the consulate must be submitted in original (e.g. statement of employment from the applicant’s employer, proof of sponsorship and/or accommodation). Documents that will not be retained by the consulate (such as marriage or birth certificates) can be submitted in copy, however originals must be presented when lodging the application and shall be returned to the applicant.
Do I have to provide translations of supporting documents when applying for a Schengen visa?
Translation of supporting documents should not be required as a rule but only in individual and exceptional cases. Consulates should examine supporting documents in the host country’s main official languages to avoid extra costs for applicants. Translation shouldn’t be required for familiar “standard” documents, such as China’s ‘Hukou’ civil registry.
If translation is required, applicants should be clearly informed about which documents must be translated and into which language.
Schengen visa application: Is legalisation/authentication required?
Occasionally, due to the fact of some local tendency to submit fraud/falsified documents when applying for Schengen visas, it may be exceptionally requested for the authentication, legalisation and/or apostillation of a document.
