Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in Bangladesh as a seafarer
Find out what documents you need in order to apply for a Schengen visa in Bangladesh as a seafarer.
Important to know
- Arrive at your appointment well prepared. Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa in Bangladesh.
- In most cases you must submit your application in person. This applies to babies and children too.
- If you have had your fingerprints taken for a Schengen visa in the past 5 years (59 months), someone else may submit your application for you. However, if your fingerprints were taken but not saved, you will need to appear in person to have them retaken.
- The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request an interview or additional documents.
- You must sign a document at the appointment, declaring the following:
- you understand that you must submit all documents in order for your application to be processed
- you are aware that an incomplete application may be rejected and that your visa application fee will not be refunded
Personal documents
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 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 Bangladesh
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 will need a work contract that allows you to board the ship.
Bring: original document and colour copy
Your seafarer’s record book, if you have one.
Bring: original document and colour copy
You must show your civil status, with one of the documents below:
- Are you married? You show this with your marriage certificate.
- Are you divorced? You show this with a talak namah.
- Are you a widow(er)? You show this with a death certificate.
Documents relating to your travel and stay in the Schengen area
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need a signed invitation on company letterhead paper from a shipping company in the Netherlands stating:
- your personal details
- your passport details
- your seafarer's record book number and date of issue
- your job title or rank as seafarer on the ship
- the name of the ship
- the place where you will board and disembark the ship
- the dates of your entry into and exit from the Schengen area
- the airport where you will enter the Schengen area, if you are travelling by plane
- the travel route you will take to get to the Netherlands
- the name and address of the shipping company in Bangladesh that will transport you from the port to the ship in the Netherlands or that will help you with your visa application
- the shipping company that is sponsoring you
- a statement that you have medical travel insurance
If a shipping company from Bangladesh is submitting the visa application for you, you will need an invitation from this shipping company. And a list of all seafarers with their position on the ship.
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 6 months
- credit card statements or bank balance from the last 6 months
- other documents showing you have enough money
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. You do not need a paid travel ticket
- a document that shows your travel plans
If you are visiting more countries, you must also bring the entry permits for the next destination(s) of your trip.