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.
UK citizens can also apply for Germany Schengen Visa.
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 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 theSchengen 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 moreon 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 Requirementsfor 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 has2 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 photothat 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 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
For foreign students in the UK:
- An official recent (less than 3 months old) letter from their school, college or university within the UK, that states:
- The type of studies
- Details of the course
- 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:
- Position held within the company
- 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 the UK
- 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.
At Which Schengen Country’s Embassy in the UK Should I Apply?
Depending on your purpose and/or length of visit – there are specifications that further clarify at which Embassy or Consulate within the UK you should apply.
- If visiting one Schengen country – you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate representing the particular country of your destination.
- If visiting more than one Schengen country – you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate representing the country of your main destination (the country of longest stay).
- If visiting more than one Schengen country with equal stay duration – you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate representing the Schengen country you will enter first.
- If you intend to stay in the Schengen area for over 90 days you must apply for a residence permit (Long-stay visa), not a Schengen visa. Instructions are on the respective embassy/consulate’s homepage.
Requirements and guidelines for UK residents when applying for a:
- France Visa fromthe UK
- Germany Visa from the UK
- Spain Visa fromthe UK
- Italy Visa from the UK
- Switzerland Visa from the UK
- Netherlands Visa from the UK
- Greece Visa from the UK
- PortugalVisa fromthe UK
- Belgium Visa fromthe UK
- Sweden Visa from the UK
- Norway Visa from the UK
- The Czech Visa from the UK
- Denmark Visa from the UK
- Iceland Visa from the UK
- Malta Visa from the UK
When Should I Apply?
The best time to apply for a Schengen visa in the UK is at least 15 days before the intended visit to Europe. If you can apply even earlier than that, it is even better – although not earlier than 6 months before the intended visit!
Holders of multiple-entry visas may apply six months before the expiry date of the valid visa.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa From the UK?
To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK you must book an appointment with the relevant Consulate or Embassy in London. This can be done in two ways:
- By going to the Consulate/Embassy office in person.
- By applying via accredited agencies like VFS or BLS
How Long Does It Take To Get a Schengen Visa in the UK?
Applications should be made final within 15 calendar days from the date you submitted the visa application to the corresponding Embassy/Consulate in the UK.
This period may be extended up to 30 days, especially in cases when further requirements are made to the applicant.
Consulates advise visa applicants to apply well in advance of their planned trip in order to avoid any unwanted complications.
Note: Holders of multiple-entry visas may apply six months before the expiry date of the valid visa.
There are however some specific individual cases where applicants can obtain visas faster through accelerated procedures:
- Applicants who have an EEA or EU citizen family member
- Cases of an extreme medical emergency
*Caution: When applying for a Schengen visa in the United Kingdom during the summer or winter seasons, be cautious and/or plan your visit earlier, as these are the months when the highest numbers of applications arrive in Embassies – consequently, taking longer to complete the visa processing!
Schengen Visa Fees for UK Residents
The fees of a Schengen visa application in the United Kingdom may vary from 36.5£ for children aged between 6 and 12 to 51 £ for adults (depending on currency fluctuations).
| Schengen Visa Category (by age) | Fee in UK Pound | Fee in Euro |
| Adult | 73 £ | 80 € |
| Children between 6-12 years of age | 36.5 £ | 40 € |
| Children younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
Note: Keep in mind that these fees may change depending on currency fluctuations and can be paid only in UK Pounds.
Does the Spouse of a British National With UK Permanent Residence Need a Schengen Visa?
Yes, the non-EU spouse of a UK national requires a visa to travel to the Schengen Area.
Can an Indian Passport Holder Apply for a Schengen Visa From the UK?
IndiancitizensandIndian passport holdersthat have been legally residing inthe United Kingdomfor more than three months can apply for aSchengen visain theUK.
Non-residents such as Indian travellers and Indian tourists who plan on staying in the UK for three months or less should be discouraged from applying for a Schengen visa from within the UK. Instead, they should apply for a Schengen visa in India.
Do I Need a Passport if I Am Travelling From the UK to Europe?
For now, as a UK national, you don’t need a visa to enter any of the EU countries. However, you are required to have a valid UK passport when travelling to any of the EU countries.
As a non-EU citizen, you must have a passport and you might also need a Schengen visa to travel to Europe from the UK. The passport must not be older than ten years. They must hold a validity period of at least three months from the day you will be leaving the Schengen zone.
Children travelling alone, with a legal guardian, or with only one parent from the UK towards the EU, should additionally have a letter of authorization to travel. It has to be signed by either both parents, the legal guardian, or the second parent.
Becoming a British Resident
There are two popular ways of becoming a non-permanent UK resident:
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FAQs
How can I get Schengen visa from UK? ›
To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK you must book an appointment with the relevant Consulate or Embassy in London. This can be done in two ways: By going to the Consulate/Embassy office in person. By applying via accredited agencies like VFS or BLS.
How much money do I need to show in my bank account for Schengen visa? ›Proof of civil status – birth certificate will suffice. Bank statement – this needs to show a minimum balance of €3000 over the last 6 months.
Which is the easiest Schengen visa to get from UK? ›Estonia is the easiest country to get a Schengen Visa from, with only 1.5% of applications rejected in 2020. This means that 98.5% of the Schengen Visa applications for Estonia received a positive answer. In addition, Estonia ranks no.
How long it will take to get Schengen visa from UK? ›The processing of a Schengen visa application in the UK takes the same time everywhere around the world, which is approximately 15 days. There may be delays only at times when the embassies are processing more visas than usually.
Can I get Schengen visa without bank statement? ›For those on company travel / spouses / children / dependents who do not have their personal bank statements, he / she sponsoring the trip must submit their original bank statements along with a letter stating the same.
What is the easiest way to get Schengen visa? ›- Figure out which Schengen visa type you need.
- Find out where you need to apply for a Schengen visa.
- Find the most suitable time to apply for a Schengen visa.
- Book an appointment.
- Fill the Schengen visa application form.
- Gather the required documents.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Pay the visa fee.
Your passport or travel document must have at least 2 empty visa pages. Your passport or travel document cannot have been issued more than 10 years ago. 2.5 Copies of the passport of the parents. If not applicable, birth certificate of the applicant and copies of the ID cards of the parents.
What are sufficient funds for Schengen visa? ›According to the European Commission, if you want to enter France by applying for a France Schengen Visa, you must attest to financial sufficiency of at least 120 EUR per day.
Can the embassy check my bank account? ›The embassy will access your bank statement on our portal when the mybankStatement® is submitted as part of your application.
How do I prove sufficient funds for visa? ›Bank statements
the required money must have been in the bank account for a consecutive 28 day period. bank statements must cover 28 days (and printed no more than 31 days before the date of your application). You can use your bank statements or your parents' / legal guardian's statements.
Why does Schengen visa get rejected? ›
According to Schengen Visa Info, there are 12 reasons for which visa applications are rejected most frequently, including here a criminal past of the applicant, a damaged passport, the invalidity of one of the documents submitted, and insufficient financial means to support travel, etc.
Can I get a Schengen visa in 2 days? ›You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
What are the first port of entry rules for Schengen visa? ›What Is the First Port of Entry for a Schengen Visa? The first point of entry is the country through which you enter the Schengen Area on a trip. You must always enter the Schengen Area via the country which issued your visa.
Is it difficult to get a Schengen visa? ›There's no need to worry too much, as the financial requirements are not too difficult to pass, but they do vary from country to country - with different levels of means of subsistence applying in each Schengen state. As such, some states' requirements will be easier to meet than others.
Can I keep my passport when applying for Schengen visa? ›This service, now available at a special price, will allow you to keep your passport once your application is submitted and biometrics have been enrolled. You will only be required to re-submit your passport when a decision is reached.
Can I fill Schengen visa form online? ›All Schengen applicants are kindly requested to fill in the online application forms according to VIDEX format, which can be found above. Please ensure that a high quality printout of the barcode is submitted with the application. This will shorten the time you spend at the VFS visa application center considerably.
Can we apply Schengen visa online? ›Here's the easiest way to get your Schengen Visa. You can now begin your application for a Schengen Tourist Visa online at just Rs 7,500*. For Schengen visa assistance, call us at 022 4164 2214 or fill in your details.
How long is the process of Schengen visa? ›It takes 15 days to process a Schengen visa.
In individual cases, the visa processing time may be extended to 30 days after the interview, or in some very specific situations to 60 days.
Both credit card statements and bank statements are acceptable evidence for Schengen applications.
How many months banks statement do I need to give to the embassy? ›How many bank statements do I need to provide? You will usually be asked to provide bank statements for the previous three months as evidence that you can afford to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the US.
Is there interview for Schengen visa? ›
Once all your paperwork and documentation is completed and set in order, you'll be expected to attend a Schengen Visa interview, which will determine whether you eventually receive your Visa or not. The interviewers are trained to detect hesitation, unwillingness to answer certain questions, etc.
Which country gives the quickest Schengen visa? ›- Belgium: ...
- Germany: ...
- Luxembourg: ...
- Switzerland: ...
- Denmark: ...
- Sweden: ...
- Iceland: Iceland is a small island known for its beautiful natural attractions like Gullfoss waterfalls and Blue Lagoon. ...
- Finland:
According to Schengen Visa Statistic 2021, the 4 countries with the highest rejection rates were: Sweden, Norway, France, and Denmark.
Is 3 months bank statement enough for Schengen visa? ›Sponsorship Letter by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
Who can be sponsor for Schengen visa? ›The requirements to be a visa sponsor, are determined by the rules. Only one of your 1st grade legal parental guardians can be your sponsor. First-degree relatives; mothers, fathers, wives, and children can also be sponsors.
Is marriage certificate required for Schengen visa? ›Yes the marriage certificate is required if you both apply as a married couple for schengen visa (unless your wife passport has you as husband name and your passport has your's wife name). If that is not available, you both can apply for Schengen visa separately in individual capacity.
Can I show mutual funds for Schengen visa? ›Explain Source for Sudden Deposit of Funds:
In order to show a healthy bank statement, travelers transfer funds into their active savings account from a deposit account, mutual funds or other investments. Such sudden deposits can be considered suspicious by the visa officer, which may lead to visa rejection.
Upon visa refusal, you will get a letter from the consulate stating the reason for refusal. This will help you reapply after a specific period of time by rectifying the mistake. Also, some of the consulate websites provide the visa status with the reason for rejection, if any.
How much bank balance is required for UK visa? ›You must submit 6 months of bank statements that clearly show your monthly salary and financial commitments. There must not be any large deposits of cash other than your salary. Total savings must be at least twice your proposed UK trip expenses.
How old can bank statements be for visa? ›Some Embassies/Consulates require the statements of the last 3 months while some others require the statements of the last 6 months.
Is bank statement necessary for visa? ›
Ans. Yes, a bank statement is one of the few financial statements which have been categorised as required as financial documents necessary for US student visa application. Some other F-1 visa proofs of funds include- property papers, passbooks, loan letters, etc. Ques.
How does a UK embassy verify bank statements? ›Bank Letters
This letter must confirm that the funds have been held for a consecutive 28-day period and the letter must not be dated more than 31 days before you make your Student Visa application. The bank letter should: be on official stationary or an electronic record. be printed or electronic (not hand-written)
This amount must be in your personal bank account for a period of a minimum of 28 days. You can also show a loan letter from the bank in your name of the same amount. The bank statement for visa or loan letter must be on the bank letterhead, signed and stamped by the competent authority of the bank.
Which bank statement is required for UK visa? ›Bank or building society statements must cover a 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of your application. The Home Office would normally expect a banking or building society record to: be on official stationery or an electronic record. be printed or electronic (not hand written)
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa? ›5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 26 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Do visa officers check social media? ›Applicants must provide the social media accounts and usernames that they have used in the last five years. For example, they would need to provide this information for any Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts that they hold. However, they do not need to provide passwords for these accounts.
How many times can I apply for Schengen visa after rejection? ›You can only make one appeal against the refusal of a Schengen Visa.
What documents do I need for Schengen visa? ›- Visa application form. Fully completed and signed.
- Two recently taken photos must be attached. ...
- A valid passport. ...
- Round trip reservation or itinerary. ...
- Travel insurance policy. ...
- Proof of accommodation. ...
- Proof of financial means. ...
- Proof of paid visa fee.
Proof of civil status – birth certificate will suffice. Bank statement – this needs to show a minimum balance of €3000 over the last 6 months.
Which Schengen country is easy to get visa in 2022? ›Lithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
Where can I get Schengen visa from UK? ›
To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK you must book an appointment with the relevant Consulate or Embassy in London. This can be done in two ways: By going to the Consulate/Embassy office in person. By applying via accredited agencies like VFS or BLS.
What is the shortest Schengen visa? ›Travelling on a short-stay Schengen visa
A short-stay Schengen visa lets you visit the Netherlands and other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Your visa will be valid for a specific period. This period may be shorter than 90 days.
Although the UK is now outside the EU, British citizens do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area and stay short-term. Although there are no visa requirements for UK citizens, travellers will need to apply for ETIAS from November 2023.
Which Schengen country gives visa easily? ›In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications. The nation also receives fewer applications than countries such as Germany or France, as they are extremely popular with tourists and business travellers.
How can I get a Schengen visa fast? ›Quick note: Applying to another Schengen Country is by far the easiest way to speed up the Schengen Visa application process. If this is something that makes you nervous, please don't be, as it's perfectly fine to do this. You can read more about applying to a Schengen Country you're not going to, here.
Do I need Schengen visa if I have UK visa? ›If you plan on travelling back to the UK after your visit to Schengen, you must choose a multiple entry permit. Once you have received your UK permit, you must apply for the Schengen. A single-entry visa will be the ideal choice. However, if you plan on visiting multiple times, you may apply for the multiple-entry.
Why does Schengen visa get rejected? ›According to Schengen Visa Info, there are 12 reasons for which visa applications are rejected most frequently, including here a criminal past of the applicant, a damaged passport, the invalidity of one of the documents submitted, and insufficient financial means to support travel, etc.
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa? ›5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 26 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Can I get a Schengen visa in 2 days? ›You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
What are the first port of entry rules for Schengen visa? ›What Is the First Port of Entry for a Schengen Visa? The first point of entry is the country through which you enter the Schengen Area on a trip. You must always enter the Schengen Area via the country which issued your visa.
What is the shortest Schengen visa? ›
Travelling on a short-stay Schengen visa
A short-stay Schengen visa lets you visit the Netherlands and other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Your visa will be valid for a specific period. This period may be shorter than 90 days.
Short stay (type C) Schengen visas are valid for 90 days, but long stay (type D) visas range from 6 months to 5 years.
How long Schengen visa takes? ›Processing times:
The processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days according to the Schengen Visa Code. Please arrange your appointment to submit your application as early as possible. You may apply up to six months before the start of the intended visit.
Here's the easiest way to get your Schengen Visa. You can now begin your application for a Schengen Tourist Visa online at just Rs 7,500*. For Schengen visa assistance, call us at 022 4164 2214 or fill in your details.
Which Schengen country has highest visa approval rate? ›Ranking right after Belgium is Malta – with 14.8%, followed by Sweden 10.3%, Portugal 10.1%, France 9.6%, and Norway with a rate of 8.7%. Subsequently come Spain and the Netherlands with an equal rate of visas not issued – 6.1%. Switzerland reaches close to the top with 6.0%.
Can you go to paris with a UK visa? ›Re: Can i travel paris just for two days via UK visa? The UK is part of the EU but is not part of the Schengen area, a visa to the UK does not give access tot he Schengen area. That is why you had to get a UK visa not a Schengen one to enter the UK and why a UK visa has no use to you to go to Paris.
Does embassy check bank statement? ›Get your bank statements attested
Select countries require applicants to submit their bank statements, duly attested. While it is common to submit bank statements, and most travellers are aware of this step, not having these bank statements attested is a common error.
This service, now available at a special price, will allow you to keep your passport once your application is submitted and biometrics have been enrolled. You will only be required to re-submit your passport when a decision is reached.