Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in the United Kingdom 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 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: 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.

Bring: colour copy of the document

• If you will be staying in a hotel or rental accommodation, you will need a hotel reservation for the entire duration of your trip. Or you will have to show that you have enough funds to pay for your stay.

Bring: colour copy of the document

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 personal bank statements from the last 3 months
• your 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 will pay these costs, you must provide:

• 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 will pay these costs, you must provide:

• 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

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 also need to bring documents from the person inviting you:

• 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)

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.*

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

You will need proof of your immediate family ties with the person inviting you. For example a birth certificate or marriage certificate.

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