The following supporting documents must be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate when applying for a Schengen visa:
All documents must be original documents or certified copies. Scanned or faxed copies are not accepted.
Required documents for all travelers
· Application form (not required for online applications as form is lodged online)
· Supplementary Form - Family members (for applications to Norway, Denmark and Iceland)
· Fee, non-refundable (not required for online applications as fee is paid online)
· Passport/travel document, issued during the last ten years and valid at least 3 months beyond the departure date from the Schengen area. Please make sure that the passport has at least two blank pages.
· Australian return visa, valid at least three months beyond the departure date from the Schengen area.
· Photo, passport-size, meeting the photo requirements.
· Flight itinerary. Preliminary booking is sufficient. We do not advise you to purchase a ticket before your visa application has been decided.
· Travel/Health insurance. A quote is sufficient. We do not advise you to purchase travel insurance before your visa application has been decided.
· Proof of sufficient funds: original bank statements for the last three months.
· Proof of accommodation for the entire stay in all Schengen countries.
· A self-addressed return envelope if your passport is to be returned by mail. We will only accept Registered Post or Platinum Express Post envelopes. Please note that neither the Embassy nor the Honorary Consulates accept any liability for loss of passports in the mail.
Additional required documents for all business travelers
· An original signed letter from your employer verifying employment, trip purpose and travel dates.
· An original signed letter from the inviting company.
· If self-employed: Certified copies of business registration, tax return, and bank statements for the last 3 months.
Additional required documents for all tourism travelers
· If employed: original letter from your employer verifying employment and approved leave
· If a student: original letter from the educational institution verifying enrolment and approved leave
· If self-employed: Certified copies of business registration, tax return and bank statements for the last 3 months.
· If the applicant is a minor: Both parents must appear in person to sign the application. The applicant’s original or certified copy of the birth certificate and the parent's passport or other picture ID must be submitted.
Additional required documents for visits to family or friends
· An invitation from your friend/relative, stating the nature and duration of the visit, and your relation to the host.
· For applicants to Norway: Guarantee form for visits to be completed and signed by your host, and notarised (stamped) by the local police in Norway. This form must be signed by you and submitted in original with your application. We also require the name, the address and certified copy of the host's passport and residence permit (if not a Norwegian citizen).
· If employed: original letter from your employer verifying employment and approved leave
· If a student: original letter from the educational institution verifying enrolment and approved leave
· If self-employed: Certified copies of business registration, tax return and bank statements for the last 3 months.
· If the spouse of the applicant is a citizen of the visa issuing country: The original or certified copy of the marriage certificate must be presented.
· If the applicant is a minor: Both parents must appear in person to sign the application. The applicant’s original or certified copy of the birth certificate and the parent's passport or other picture ID must be submitted.
Additional required documents for visas to Sweden
Please see http://www.migrationsverket.se/info/besoka_en.html for additional document requirements for Sweden.
Additional required documents for visas to Denmark
Please see http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/visa/visa.htm for additional document requirements for Denmark.
Additional required documents for visas to Iceland
Please see http://www.utl.is/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=17&lang=en for additional document requirements for Iceland.
Please note
In some cases an applicant may be asked to provide additional documents. Submitting all required documents does not guarantee that a visa will be approved.
If your application is approved:
Before your visa is issued you must show the Embassy that you hold a valid travel and medical insurance to cover your stay in the Schengen area. The minimum insurance coverage is EUR 30,000 (Approx AUD 50,000). The insurance must cover the entire time that you will be in the Schengen area. You must also show proof of purchased transportation.
You must have sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Schengen area. If you arrive at the border without funds, you may be denied entry even if you hold a valid visa. Possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the European territory of the Schengen states. Even if a visa has been granted it does not mean that you will be entitled to compensation if you fail to comply with the relevant provisions of Article 5.1 of the Schengen Implementing Convention and are refused entry. The prerequisites for entry will be checked again on your entry into the European territory of the Schengen states.
Visa extension:
A visa to the Schengen countries is issued in accordance with your flight tickets, and is valid for a maximum of 90 days. As a rule, the visa cannot be extended after you have entered the Schengen area. Exemptions can only be made if something unforeseen happens after you have entered the Schengen area and the original visa was granted for less than 90 days. However, the total residence time in the Schengen area cannot exceed 90 days during the past six months.
More information regarding visa extension is available on:
How do I apply for a visa extension
Special rules apply for certain family members of EEA nationals:
Under the Schengen agreement, the right of free movement of EEA nationals is, with some limitations, extended to family members of EEA nationals.
Family members who are covered under this are:
· Spouse/partner of an EEA national
· Direct descendants (children) of an EEA national who are under the age of 21 or are dependants, and those of the spouse or partner.
· Dependant direct relatives of an EEA national in the ascending line (e.g. parents) and those of the spouse or partner of an EEA national
EEA family members applying for a Schengen visa must submit the following supporting documents:
· Application form (not required for online applications as form is lodged online)
· Passport/travel document, issued during the last ten years and valid at least 3 months beyond the departure date from the Schengen area. Please make sure that the passport has at least two blank pages.
· Photo, passport-size, meeting the photo requirements.
· Flight itinerary.
· Original:
o Marriage Certificate (if you are married to an EEA national)
o Birth Certificate (if one or both of your parents are EEA nationals - the certificate needs to state both parents` names)
o The Birth Certificate of the son / daughter you depend on (if you are a dependent ascendant of an EEA national - the certificate needs to state both parents` names)
· The EEA national's original passport