Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in India as a seafarer
Find out what documents you need in order to apply for a Schengen visa in India as a seafarer.
Important to know
- Arrive at your appointment well prepared. Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa in India.
- 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 need a valid travel document, for example a passport. Your travel document must meet the following requirements:
- your travel document must not be more than 10 years old
- your travel document must have at least 2 blank (visa) pages
- your travel document must still be valid for at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area
- your travel document must have your signature
Bring: colour copy of the document
- the page in your current travel document with the biometric personal data
- the last page of the travel document (for Indian nationals)
- any Schengen area entry and exit stamps from previous travel documents (if you have them)
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 India
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: the original document and a 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
- an Indian residence permit which is valid for at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area
- a visa
- a work permit
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 an employee
If you are employed, bring the following documents:
- your employment contract and a recent letter from your employer approving your leave
- your payslips from the past 3 months
I am self-employed or a company owner
If you are self-employed or a company owner, bring the following documents:
- The company’s registration certificate. If your company is registered in India, you must show the GST registration number.
- Bank statements from your business account.
- Your income tax return with a verified barcode.
Bring: original document and colour copy
Your seafarer’s record book, if you have one.
Documents relating to your travel and stay in the Schengen area
Bring: colour copy of the document
You must bring a cover letter. This cover letter must include the following:
- the reason for your visit
- the duration of your stay
- the names of fellow travelers (if applicable)
- information about your transportation and accommodation
Bring: colour copy of the document
You will need a signed and stamped invitation from a shipping company in the Netherlands stating:
- your personal details
- the date of issue and validity of your passport
- the date of issue and validity of your seafarer's book
- 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 India that will help you with your visa application
- the shipping company that is sponsoring you
- a flight reservation, if you are travelling by plane
Bring: colour copy of the document
You must show a reservation from the hotel where you will be staying during your visit. You can also provide proof of accommodation in the invitation letter from the shipping company.
If you are travelling to multiple Schengen countries, bring proof of accommodation for each country.
Bring: colour copy of the document
You need documents that show you have sufficient financial means to cover your stay. You can prove this by bringing one of the following documents:
- your personal bank statements from the past 3 months, stamped and signed by the bank
- proof of Indian income tax returns from the last 2 tax years
If the party inviting you is paying these costs, this must be stated in the letter of invitation.
Bring: colour copy of the document
You must show a ticket for your means of transport and provide your travel itinerary. This may also be provided in the invitation letter from the shipping company.