Core Documents (Mandatory)
Every applicant brings these eight, regardless of country or purpose. The wizard generates the cover letter and Type C form for you; you provide the first six.
Passport
Bio page scan, valid 3+ months after your return date and with two blank pages.
Biometric photograph
35×45mm, white background, taken within 6 months. We can validate yours against the ICAO spec.
Travel insurance
€30,000 cover minimum, valid across all Schengen states for your full trip.
Itinerary
Flight reservation (not paid ticket) and confirmed accommodation across your travel dates.
Bank statements
Last 3 months, showing salary credits and a healthy closing balance.
Annual tax statement
Most consulates ask for one — e.g. P60 in the UK, Form 16 in India, W-2 in the US, ITR in many countries.
Employment letter
On letterhead, stating your role, salary, and approved leave dates for the trip. Some consulates request 6 months of payslips too.
Cover letter
Brief, polite, factual. We auto-generate this from your wizard answers.
By purpose
On top of the core eight, your trip purpose adds one or two extras. Match the row that describes your trip best.
| Purpose | Additional document |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Hotel and flight reservations covering every night and day of the trip. |
| Business | Invitation letter from the host company on letterhead with full address. Plus a business registration certificate from your employer. |
| Family / friend visit | Invitation letter from the host with copy of their ID/residence permit and proof of address. |
| Short course / training | Letter from the institution confirming enrolment, dates and fees paid. |
| Medical visit | Hospital letter, proof of treatment funding and travel insurance specific to the procedure. |
By employment status
Employment status changes which "proof of finances" the consulate accepts. Pick the one that matches your situation:
- Self-employed: business registration certificate, last 6 months bank statements, last tax return.
- Retired: pension statements (last 3 months) plus proof of income.
- Student: university enrolment letter and parental sponsorship if applicable.
- Minor (under 18): both parents' consent letter with copies of ID, plus birth certificate.
- Unemployed: a sponsor (relative or friend) with proof of income covering trip costs.
Common mistakes
- Passport validity miscalculation. Three months after your return date, not three months from the application date.
- Wrong photo specification. 35×45mm, white background, no glasses, neutral expression.
- Insufficient bank balance. Empirically, ~€60/day per person is the consulate norm — varies by country.
- Insurance with wrong coverage. Must explicitly cover the entire Schengen area, €30k+, including medical evacuation.
- Mismatched dates across documents. Flight, accommodation and insurance must all line up to the day.
Our wizard generates four of the eight core documents (form, cover, flight reservation, hotel booking) and validates the rest. Twenty minutes vs eight hours.
Ready to start?
Get a personalised, country-specific checklist for your trip — generated from your wizard answers, dated to your appointment.
Start your guided application →More: Visa types · Applying from the UK · Eligibility check · Who needs a visa · EES Entry/Exit System