Visa Document Requirements

When applying for a Schengen visa, one of the most important aspects of the application process is the required documents. If your document file is incomplete or incorrect, your application may be rejected (or best case scenario, delayed).

That’s why it is important to pay attention to the document checklist and ensure that you are submitting everything as required.

• Application form.
• Valid passport.
• Two identical photos.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Round-trip flight reservation or itinerary.
• Health insurance.
• Proof of financial means.
• Visa fee receipt.
• Letter of invitation (if applicable).
• No-objection letter from your school or employer.
• Additional documents based on your employment status.

Visa Application Form

You start your application procedure by filling out the country visa application form online. Give detailed and accurate information about yourself and the purpose of your travel that complies with the information in the other required documents. Print the form and sign it at the end before attaching it to the rest of the required documents

Valid Passport
You need a passport which is valid for at least three months, starting from the date you plan to depart. It must also have a blank page to attach the visa.

Keep in mind that your passport will remain at the embassy throughout the time of your application processing.

Two Photos
You need two passport-size pictures, which are in line with German visa photo requirements, including size, color, and face position.

Proof of Accommodation in Country
You need a document that proves you have booked accommodation for the time you will be in country. This could be a hotel booking, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation by a host.

Round Trip Reservation or Itinerary
You have to show the embassy that you have planned your entry and departure dates, by showing your return flight ticket (or other transport, as applicable), or a flight itinerary.

Travel Health Insurance
Everyone who enters schengen country needs valid travel health insurance, which is in line with Schengen insurance requirements (€30,000 coverage in all Schengen States). You have to submit an insurance certificate, clearly stating the coverage amount.

Proof of Financial Means
You have to submit recent bank statements (last three months) or show a letter of sponsorship, to prove you can financially support yourself during your visit. You need €45/day for every day you send in Germany.

Visa Fee Receipt
When you pay the visa fee, you have to attach the payment receipt to the rest of the documents. You may pay the fee beforehand or when you submit the application (this depends on the specific embassy or visa application center).

Letter of Invitation
If you are traveling to visit friends or family, they have to send you a letter inviting you to visit. In the letter, they must clearly state the relationship between the two of you, your dates of travel, as well as what your plans are during your visit. The letter must be signed and addressed to the embassy or consulate handling your visa application.

If you are traveling for business, or another event (conference, seminar, meeting), the organization or company which is hosting the event has to send you a formal letter of invitation. Similarly, the letter must contain your full name, the reason why your presence is required, and the dates during which the event is held.

No-Objection Letter
If you are employed, your employer must issue a “no-objection letter”, stating that you have notified the company about your absence. The letter must also contain your position in the company, how long you have worked there, as well as when you are expected to return.

If you are a student, your school must issue the “no-objection letter”, containing your enrollment details (study course, department, year of studies), as well as when you are expected back.

Additional Documents Based on Employment Status
Depending on your employment status, you may also be asked to submit additional documents, as follows:

If Employed
If you are employed, you will have to submit the following documents:

Employment contract. The document must state your position and the date you started working there.

Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.

Leave permission from the employer. The permission must state that the company permits you to take the annual leave during that period.

Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.

If Self-Employed
If you are self-employed, you will have to submit the following documents:

A copy of your business license.
Company bank statement for the latest 6 months.
Income Tax Return (ITR).

Additional Documents for Minors

In addition to the commonly required documents, you will have to submit some extra documents for underage children:

• Original birth certificate. If it is in neither German nor English, a certified translation must be attached to it.
• Application form signed by both parents. Minors have to complete the same application form as all travelers, except that both parents, instead of the visa candidate, should sign it.
• Consent of both parents. If the minor will be traveling alone the consent of both parents represented by a signature in the application form and a formal letter is requested.
• Consent of one parent. If the minor is traveling with one of the parents, the consent of the other parent is still required.
• Custody court order. Required only in cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
• Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents.

Retired

If you are retired, you will have to submit your pension statements from the last 6 months.

Student

If you are a student, you will have to submit the following documents:

• Proof of enrollment. A document issued by a tertiary educational institution that confirms your enrollment there.
• No objection letter from school or university. This is a formal letter from your educational institution, which confirms you are permitted to be absent during the time of the trip