Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in Türkiye to visit family or friends

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 Türkiye

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 resident in the country where you submit your visa application using, for instance:

• a passport or other travel document
• a proof of legal residence in Türkiye, such as a residence permit. This must be valid for at least 3 months 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 bring a complete extract of the civil registry (Tam Tekmil Vukuatlı Nüfus Kayıt Örneği).

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 an employee

If you are an employee, bring the following documents: 

• a letter from your employer or a leave approval. This letter must include:
  • the name of the consulate it is sent to
  • your personal details
  • your passport details
  • the date you started working and your job title
  • the purpose of your trip
  • how long you will stay abroad
  • how long your leave is, and if it is paid or unpaid (not needed if you travel for business)
  • the contact details of your employer
  • the name and job title of the person who signed the letter
• your SGK work declaration (Sigortalı İşe Giriş Bildirgesi)
• your SGK registration and service document (SGK tescil ve hizmet dökümü) with a readable QR code

I am a company owner

If you own a company, bring the following documents: 

• an extract of your company from the Chamber of Commerce
• a copy of the trade register record
• a statement of taxes paid by the company
• proof of business activity (Faaliyet Belgesi)

I am a farmer

If you are a farmer, bring the following documents: 

• proof that you are a farmer, such as a certificate from the Chamber of Agriculture

I am a student

If you are a student, bring the following documents: 

• for higher education: a student certificate from the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) with a readable QR code
• for other education: a student card

None of these situations apply to me

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

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

Bring: original document and colour copy

You must show who will pay your international travel costs and the costs of your stay (subsistence costs) in the Netherlands.

• If you will pay these costs yourself, you must provide your bank statements for the previous 3 months, 3 recent payslips if you are employed and a pension booklet if you have one.
• If a family member or friend in your country of residence will pay these costs, you must provide their bank statements for the previous 3 months and 3 recent payslips.’
• If the person who has invited you will pay for all your expenses, question 3B on the proof of sponsorship form must be filled out with "yes." You will need to bring three recent pay slips, a recent employment certificate, or a valid employment contract (valid for at least 12 months at the time of your visa application) from this person.

Bring: original document and colour copy

You must provide a completed proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form. This form must be signed by the person who has invited you to the Netherlands and must be legalised by the Dutch municipality where that person is registered.  

• If you will be staying with the person who completed the sponsorship form and this person is sponsoring the costs of your stay, any medical care and, if necessary, repatriation, the answers to questions 3A and 3B on the sponsorship form should be ‘yes’.
• If the person who will pay the costs of your stay (subsistence costs) in the Netherlands is not the person with whom you will be staying, the person with whom you will be staying must provide a separate invitation or complete a separate sponsorship form.
• Is the person inviting you a family member? You will need proof of your immediate family ties. 

Bring: colour copy of the document

• If you will be staying in a hotel or rental accommodation, you will need a hotel reservation or rental agreement for the entire duration of your trip.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must show a booking of your trip and your travel plans. Take with you:

• a reservation in your name for your travel to and from the Schengen area, or another document showing your travel plans. You do not need a paid travel ticket
• a document that shows your travel plans, for example a confirmation of a booked trip

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need proof of travel medical insurance in your name.*

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

*Holders of diplomatic passports are not required to show proof of travel medical insurance coverage.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need the Dutch identity card (ID card) or passport of the person who has invited you. If the person who has invited you does not have Dutch nationality, you will need their valid Dutch residence permit.

Bring: original document and colour copy

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 need the following documents: 

• a recent extract of the child’s birth certificate  
• a consent form signed by the parents or guardians not travelling with the minor. Approved by a local notary
• if you are the only caregiver of the child: proof that you have sole custody. Approved by a local notary 

Bring: colour copy of the document

• a colour photocopy of a signed valid travel document (such as a passport) of the parents or guardians not travelling with the child
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has a valid Schengen visa: a colour photocopy of 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 1 of the parents or guardians has died: a photocopy of the death certificate of the deceased parent or guardian
• if a guardian has been appointed: a photocopy of official proof of guardianship 
• if there is a court order in place: a photocopy of permission from the court for the minor to travel