All applicants must present themselves personally to the Embassy Visa Service by submitting the following documents (original + 1 photocopy):
1) Visa application form completed, written in capital letters with a black pen (forms are available free of charge at the visa service and on the embassies’ website):
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Czech Republic
- Malta
- Austria
- Portugal
- Switzerland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Netherlands
- Greece
- Poland
2) The valid applicant’s passport (minimum 3 months after the expiry of the requested visa) must have at least two blank pages and the date of issue must not exceed 10 years.
For foreigners: Proof of legal residence must be added in the country where you are applying for a visa (Example: A passport, visa or residence permit and a copy. The residence permit must be valid at least 3 months after the expiry of the visa requested. Work or study permit (if applicable)).
3) Photocopy of page 2 of the applicant’s passport, as well as all previous visas.
4) 2 passport photos.
5) Travel health insurance for the entire duration of the stay and valid for the entire Schengen area.
6) a) For a family visit: proof of the kinship of the person inviting you (usually it is the birth certificate), proof of his status and a declaration of acceptance. The signature on the invitation must be legalized by the competent authority (It is necessary to present the original). If the reason for your trip is not obvious (e.g. visit of a close relative), an explanatory letter from your host can avoid doubts.
If it is a relative who is financing your trip you must file the proof of creditworthiness of the guarantor (last 3 pay slips for employees or excerpt of recent role for the self-employed, work certificate and any other document that proves that he/she is well established in Europe).
Or: proof of the financing of your trip by your own means, if the person who invites you does not have the means to take charge of you, or if you have a situation (see no. 8) that allows you to do so. In these cases, submit a non-formal invitation to clarify the reason for your trip. Where applicable, a photocopy of the residence permit of the person who invites you.
6) c) For tourist trips, a hotel reservation is also required.
7) A round-trip flight ticket reservation.
8) Financial proof: this information allows the visa officer to assess your willingness to leave the Schengen territory before the visa expires. In other words, provide information to establish that you retain the centre of your interests in your country of origin or habitual residence (e.g. any evidence that you are established in your country of origin or habitual residence: employment certificate, professional status, regular income collection, possession of real estate, family situation, etc.).
A bank extract from the last 6 months must be filed for all the following cases:
8) a) Employees and civil servants
- Certificate of work specifying the date of recruitment and the title of leave.
- Valid social insurance card.
- History of annual contributions to the social insurance fund (CNSS/ CNRPS).
- Last three pay slips or pay stubs.
8) b) Businessmen/Business Managers
- Declaration of opening of trade, patent, copy of the publication in the JORT.
- Receipt of the single income tax return, annual tax receipts for the last 2 years.
8) c) Liberal professions
- Attestation of the Chamber of Physicians, lawyers etc.
- Proof of income.
8) d) Farmers
- Ownership to land conservation.
- Receipt of single income tax return.
- Other documents justifying the financial situation (annual tax receipts for the last two years, statements of account, land rental contract, etc.).
8) e) Pensioners
- Pensioners’ Card.
- Attestation specifying the amount of the pension.
8) f) People with no income of their own
- Care in writing by the person on whom the visa applicant depends (parents, spouse/wife) + documents following 8a – 8b – 8c – 8d – 8e. You can also add proof of connection (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).
- If applicable, student card/certificate of registration at the university or certificate of education.
8) g) Contract SIVP
- Contract SIVP translated into French, or, if possible, a certificate at the employment office in French (proof of employment).
- Certificate of Work (proof of employment).
- Title of leave (proof of confirmation of your leave).
- Certificate of non-affiliation to the CNSS (replaces the CNSS extract).
- 3 pay slips (proof of salary).
- Bank extract (for the agent to see the payments).
9) Minors (under 18 years)
A birth certificate and an authorization to leave the territory signed by both parents in addition to the above mentioned papers (8f). The signature must be legalized. The custodial parent must be present when the application is filed.
Important Information:
- Applications may be submitted no earlier than three months prior to the scheduled date of travel.
- Holders of Schengen visas are still subject to immigration control at the point of entry and are not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries.
- All documents requested above must be submitted in original and, where appropriate, accompanied by a translation and a legible photocopy. This list is not exhaustive. Additional documents may be requested after the file has been examined, but will in no case lead to the automatic issue of a visa. Any applicant may file with his file other documents supporting his application. The applicant must file all documents at the time of filing. Documents sent in advance by post or fax cannot be taken into consideration.
- The processing time for examining the application for a Schengen visa varies according to the nationality of the applicant and the period of the year in which the application is filed. The normal processing time for visas is 15 days after the application is filed, which can be extended to 30 or even 60 calendar days, in cases that require further examination.
- The absence of an applicant’s travel plan will not make processing your visa application a priority for the embassy/representative office. It is advisable to plan your trip in advance to avoid any inconvenience.
From the first Monday of February 2020 all Schengen visa applicants will be subject to the new Schengen visa code. Under this code, new rules and procedures will be applied. Below the list of key changes:
- Higher visa fees.
- Extension of application periods.
- Electronic application forms in most countries.
- The representative authorities of each member of the Schengen area must be present in each third country with regard to the admission of visas after 2 February 2020.
- Frequent travelers who have already received visas can benefit of longer valid visas.
Regarding the fees, the main changes are as follows:
- Applicants who previously paid €60/ visa will have to pay €80.
- Those who had to pay €35/ visa will have to pay €40.
- Children from 0 to 6 years remain exempt from visa fees.
More information on the official Schengen visa website.
