In the article below we have listed the important nuances that you need to consider when submitting the application.
Visa processing is a responsible task. To get a Schengen visa for the long term, you need to prepare all the documents correctly. In the article below we have listed the important nuances that you need to consider when submitting the application.
1. Take the correct photo
An improper photo is a frequent and frustrating reason for rejecting the application. The Schengen visa photo must be in color and measure 35×45 mm. Your eyes must look directly into the camera and not be covered by hair. If you wear glasses, the lenses must not reflect light and the frames must not cover your eyes. The photo must be recent and taken within the last 6 months. If you find an old photo of the right size and submit it, cheating can be detected – especially if you had the same photo on previous visas. Therefore, the best option is to take a new and current photo for the visa in a photo center. Check the full list of requirements exemplified by the Germany visa photo.
2. Provide up-to-date information
All certificates must be recent. This applies to certificates from work or university, bank statements, etc. Therefore, the best option is to calculate the time in which the certificate will be made, and make it right before you submit the documents.
3. Take care of insurance
Insurance is a mandatory document when applying for a visa. The minimum amount of insurance should be €30,000 euros. Note that the insurance must cover all Schengen countries, even if you plan to visit only one European country.
4. Fill out the job reference in detail
Sometimes little information is written in the employment certificates, which may cause additional questions to the consul who decides on the visa. A proper certificate should include your position, date of employment, and the salary for the last 3 months.
5. Update your passport
Do you want to get a long-term visa? Check the validity of your passport!
If a visa is requested for a year and your passport expires in 8 months, your visa may be shortened to 8 months instead of the requested 12 months. In addition, your passport must have at least two blank pages for the stamps that are placed at the border crossing. If a new visa is requested and there are no blank pages, you will be denied.
6. Make an up-to-date bank statement
The purpose of a bank account statement is to show that you have enough money for a trip abroad. It should show the transactions for the last 3 months and the balance. There are two options for making a statement:
– at the bank
– through online banking.
If you make it in the bank, you must have a stamp on the statement. If you use the online bank, the pages must contain the address of the Internet page from which the statement was printed. The statement must be made not earlier than 5 days before filing the documents.
7. Follow Schengen rules
An important rule: you must spend the longest amount of time in the country that issued you a Schengen visa. For example, if you are applying for a Spanish visa, then most of your trip should be devoted to Spain. If you head to another country instead, this may be the reason for refusal or shortening the term of the new visa requested.
8. Avoid typos in the application form
The questionnaire is one of the most important parts of your application package. It is where you fill in information about yourself: your passport data, information about where you study or work, where you live, why you need a visa, for how many days, where you will sleep, and a dozen other questions. Fill it out as carefully as possible to avoid mistakes and typos.
9. Tell the truth and only the truth
A visa can be denied or shortened because you have provided false information about yourself. For example, you may have been lazy and not ordered a certificate from your job, so as not to waste time on it. To do this, you indicated that you were unemployed. If the deception gets out, it will lead to unpleasant consequences, up to the denial of a visa.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
