Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in the United Kingdom as a seafarer
Find out what documents you need in order to apply for a Schengen visa in the United Kingdom as a seafarer.
Important to know
- Arrive at your appointment well prepared. Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa in the United Kingdom.
- 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 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 will need a statement from your employer and other 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
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 will need a signed invitation on company letterhead paper from a shipping company in the Netherlands stating:
- that you have travel medical insurance
- your name and job title or rank as seafarer on the ship
- the name of the ship
- the date of entry into the Schengen area
- the date when you will board the ship
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
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