How To Get Schengen Visa In Uk

In this post I am going to try to answer some of the questions that keep on lingering in the minds of many people all over the world when it comes to traveling, living and working abroad. There are many people who are looking for information about Schengen visa UK and have been trying hard to find useful information online about this particular topic, but there is a paucity of reliable resources on how to doe same.

The Schengen visa allows you to live in Europe (and granted, several other countries that are not in the European Union) for a maximum of 90 days out of six months. Anything longer than that requires a long-stay visa. While there are plenty of online articles telling you what it takes to get a long-stay visa, there aren’t all that many on Schengen visas. This guide will walk you through everything you need to submit in your UK application for the Schengen visa, and how to prove that you’ll be able to support yourself while in Europe.

How To Get Schengen Visa In Uk

A Schengen visa is a permit of entry into the Schengen space, a privilege granted to international visitors so they may travel to France, Germany and the rest of the member states without the requirement of obtaining a new visa. All visitors need this permit so they may easily move around in the Schengen space. The Schengen visa is thus an entrance visa and is only valid for the duration of its holder’s stay within the Schengen area. All citizens of foreign countries need to apply for this type of visa before they enter France, Germany and other Schengen countries.

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.

Nonresidents 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:
  • Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,
  • Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
  • 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 forms of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
• One application form is filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
• One passport format photo that has a light background, is brightly coloured and shows full facial features. The photo must be less than six months old and be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
• 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 the several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers the several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
• Schengen 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 AXA Schengen or Europ Assistance.
• Hotel reservations or proof of participation in group travel.
• A recent statement of UK current account or traveller’s checks shows funds of a minimum of £55 per person per day spent in the Schengen area. Photocopies of the original documents are 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:
  • Salary
  • Hire date
  • Position
  • 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) specifies:
  • Professional activity
  • Starting date
  • Business registration
  • Revenues from their solicitor or Accountant Bank Manager or Local Chamber of Commerce
  • VAT certificate