Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in the United Kingdom for a business trip, official visit or lorry driver

Bring: original document

You will need a completed and signed Schengen visa application form. Print the form and submit it with your other documents.

Complete the application form

Complete your own application form online. Only then will you receive a form with a unique code. Forms without this code may cause issues while processing your application. For that reason, do not use someone else’s form.

Bring: original document

You will need a valid travel document, such as a passport. Your travel document must meet the following requirements:

• it is no more than 10 years old
• it must have at least 2 empty visa pages
• it must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area
• it must bear your signature

Bring: original document

You will need to submit a photo that meets Dutch requirements:

• colour photo
• no more than 6 months old
• 3.5cm by 4.5cm
• white or light-coloured background

Find out where you can have a photo that meets Dutch requirements taken in the United Kingdom

If you are applying for a visa through an external service provider, you do not need to submit a photo. A digital photo will be taken at your appointment.

Bring: original document and colour copy

You will need valid proof of legal residence in the country where you are applying for a visa. You can show that you are legally residing in the country where you submit your visa application using, for instance:

• a passport or other travel document
• a British residence permit, valid for at least 1 months after you leave the Schengen area
• a printout of your eVisa showing your immigration status, issued by UKVI. Also bring the letter with your share code. The eVisa must be valid for at least 1 month after you leave the Schengen area

If you are not a resident of the country where you are submitting your application, you must show why you cannot apply in your country of residence.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must be able to prove that you have social or economic ties to the country where you live. What you can use for this depends on your situation:

I am employed

If you are employed, bring the following documents:

• a recent, official and signed letter from your employer. This letter must include:
  • your name
  • your position
  • your salary
  • your address and contact details
  • date of issue of the letter
  • position of the signatory
  • registration number of the company in the United Kingdom
• pay slips for the last 3 months

I am self-employed

If you are self-employed, bring the following documents:

• a recent, official and signed letter from an accountant, banker or solicitor. The letter should state:
  • your name
  • date of issue of the letter
  • your address and contact details
  • position and registration number in the United Kingdom of the signatory
  • nature of the self-employment or business ownership
  • annual salary drawn from the company
• self-assessment form edited by revenue and customs authorities

I am a student

If you are a student, bring a recent, official and signed letter from school, college or university in the United Kingdom. The letter should state:

• date of issue of the letter
• name of the applicant
• type of studies
• number of lessons or study hours per week
• attendance record

If none of the above situations apply to you, you can show that you have social or economic ties using, for instance:

• a document proving that you are a caregiver in your country of residence
• a document showing that you have a home or other immovable property in your country of residence
• a document showing that your children attend school in your country of residence

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need an invitation from the company or event you will be visiting in the Netherlands. The invitation must state your personal details, the dates of your visit and the reasons for it.

If you will be travelling for business or conferences, you will need the following:

• an invitation from a firm or an authority to attend meetings or conferences or proof of registration for events connected with trade, industry or work
• other documents showing trade or employment relations, if you have them

If you will be attending a trade fair or congress, you will need to show an admission ticket.

If you will be travelling in the context of an official visit, you will need the following:

• an official invitation from an intergovernmental organisation on whose behalf you are visiting the Netherlands, stating your personal details, the dates of your visit and the reasons for it
• a note verbale or letter from a government body in your country of residence stating that you are a member of an official delegation travelling to the Netherlands

If you will be travelling as a lorry driver, bring the following documents:

• a recent, official and signed letter from the national association (union) of carriers of the Netherlands. The letter should state the purpose of visit, duration and the frequency of the trips
• written request of the partner company based in the Schengen area
• driver’s license for international transport
• way bill

Bring: colour copy of the document

You need documents that show where you will stay. Or you must be able to show that you have sufficient means to cover the costs of accommodation.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must show that you have enough money. You can do this with:

• personal bank statements from the last 3 months
• credit card statements with your name and address. The statement must contain information on the monthly payment limit of the credit card

If your spouse is sponsoring you. Take with you:

• a marriage certificate
• bank statements of your spouse in the United Kingdom from the last 3 months
• a statement of will from your spouse to financially support you

If your parents are sponsoring you. Take with you:

• proof of family relationship. For example a birth certificate
• bank statements of your parents in the United Kingdom from the last 3 months
• a statement of will from your parents to financially support you

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must show a reservationof your trip and your travel plans. You can do this with proof of a return ticket to the United Kingdom or proof of onward travel. Such as:

• authorization of entry into the country of destination
• confirmed travel tickets to the next destination
• proof of sufficient means to cover your travels

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need proof of travel medical insurance in your name. If you have a diplomatic passport, you are not required to show proof of travel medical insurance coverage.

The document must state that:

• the insurance provides cover in all Schengen area countries for the entire duration of your stay
• the insurance covers at least €30,000 in medical expenses. This includes the costs of a hospital stay and treatment, emergency care, prescription medication and repatriation to your country of residence (including in the event of death).

Find out what requirements your travel medical insurance must meet

Bring: original document and colour copy

If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18, you will need a birth certificate.

If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18 who will be travelling without 1 or both of their parents or guardians, you will also need the following documents:

• passports of both parents or a certified copy of the biodata page of the passports
• a consent form signed by the parents or guardians
• a certificate from the school in the United Kingdom

Bring: colour copy of the document

• if you are the only parent/guardian: a birth certificate showing only one parent, or a court decision that you have sole custody
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has died: the death certificate of the deceased parent or guardian
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has a valid Schengen visa: the biographical data page of their passport and of their valid Schengen visa. The biographical data page contains the passport holder’s details and photo
• if there is a court order in place: permission from the court for the minor to travel