Applying for a Schengen Visa in the UK

 

 

Schengen Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines for the UK Residents

Although the United Kingdom is not a member of the Schengen Area, British citizens can travel across Europe visa-free for a maximum of 90 days. Also, from 9 June 2014, all British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs), British Overseas citizens (BOCs), British Protected Persons (BPPs), and British Subjects (BS) are allowed to travel visa free to the EU Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days.

Who can apply for a Schengen visa in the UK?

To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK, your UK residence permit must be valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area. If this condition is not fulfilled, the Consulate where you lodge your Schengen visa application will reject your application immediately.

Non-residents such as travellers and tourists currently on a visa in the UK, cannot file their visa application at the Schengen embassies in the United Kingdom. Instead, they should apply for a Schengen visa at the appropriate Schengen embassy in their home country.

Use the Schengen visa eligibility checker tool to find out if you qualify to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK.

If you have a 3-month UK visa you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK. Find out more on how to extend your UK visa.

Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence.

 

Visa application documents and requirements for the UK residents

All Schengen states are represented in the UK by Consulates and Embassies and they might have specific requirements for applicants. However, there are common requirements for each country and visa type.

The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a Schengen visa in the UK:

•        A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure:

o        Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,

o        Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,

o        Your passport should be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.

•        A valid UK residence permit or other form of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)

•        One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant.

•        One photo, which must be glued on the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected. The photo must also comply with the other photo requirements and specifications

•        A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to the Schengen area

•        Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).

•        Travel Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation in the Schengen Area (minimum coverage of € 30.000). The Insurance policy can easily be purchased online from Europ Assistance or AXA Schengen.

•        Hotel reservations or proof of participation in group travel.

•        A recent statement of UK current account or travelers checks showing funds of a minimum of £55 per person per day spent in the Schengen area. Photocopies of the original documents also to be submitted. Documents should not be more than one month old. Find more information about proofing financial sufficiency when applying for a Schengen visa.

For UK employees:

•        Reference letter of employment in the United Kingdom confirming that specifies:

o        Salary

o        Hire date

o        Position

o        Dates of vacation

If the applicant is employed for less than 3 months, then a letter from their employer should clearly state when they started work.

For self-employed:

•        A recent letter (less than 3 months old) that specifies:

o        Professional activity

o        Starting date

o        Business registration

o        Revenues from their solicitor or Accountant or Bank Manager or Local Chamber of Commerce

o        VAT certificate

For foreign students in UK:

•        An official recent (less than 3 months old) letter from their school, college or university within the UK, that state:

o        the type of studies

o        Details of the course

o        Attendance record.

For retirees:

•        Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If unemployed and married to a UK citizen:

•        A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer that states:

o        Position held within the company

o        Starting date

•        Spouse’s valid passport

•        An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation can be in English or the official language of the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in UK

o        If the Marriage Certificate was issued outside the European Union, it must be stamped by the Foreign Office of the issuing country, or its Embassy in the United Kingdom.