How to Get a Schengen Visa (2)

In my last article, I explained what a Schengen visa is and countries under the Schengen states. I also started out by telling you how to make your Schengen visa successful. This article is a follow-up on that.

2. Know the Requirements: Having known the type of visa you are applying for, the next thing is to start getting all the required documents towards your visa application. If you visit the website of the Embassy you are applying for, you will see all the required documents on there. If you need to be doubly-sure about the visa requirements, you can consult an experienced travel agent who would be of assistance to you.

3. Start filling the visa Application: The next thing to do after knowing the visa requirement is to start filling the visa application form. It could either be paper application or electronic (on the website or on your computer). But most embassies are phasing out paper application. Most application is now online. Before you start filling the form, make sure that you read the instruction on the form. Most times, they will also require you to create a Username and Password (which is usually case sensitive). Ensure you write your Username and Password down because you will need them in your subsequent application. Or when the computer logs you out. Please also remember that filling the form online needs a lot of accuracy and speed.

4. Make your travelling purpose clear: It is important to convince the consular or the embassy that would be issuing you visa beyond reasonable doubt about your purpose of trip. If you do not make this very clear, your visa application will be refused. It is one main reason why many visa applications are refused. It is not enough to fill in “Study”, “Visit”, “Tourism” in the visa application form. You have to clearly state this purpose and back up with a more convincing reason. Otherwise your visa application will be refused.

5. A Good Bank Statement of Account or Sufficient Funds: This is another major reason why many people do not get visa. Yes, many people want to travel and get visa, but they harldy make any preparation towards meriting the visa as visa is not got on a platter of gold especially for Schengen country. The embassy or consular would want to know how you would sustain yourself during your trip or if you have enough money for your trip. So, earmarking enough money for your hotel accommodation, feeding, sightseeing, round-trip airticket and other expenses is what would show that you have made adequate preparation for your trip. For your source of fund, if you can also include Credit card, cash and sponsorship (if you have one).

6. Get Genuine Documents: If you intend to get a Schengen visa( or any other visas at all), you have to make sure that you get genuine and authentic documents. Don’t patronize quacks and touts milling round the embassy or anywhere in the name of travel agents who will promise you heaven and earth that they have ‘Inside-link’ and the documents you present doesn’t really matter (whether they are got from Oluwole or anywhere). If you present a fake document, and the law caught up with you apart from been denied visa, some embassies might ban you for years and you might be behind bars. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Yes, I am aware that some applicants have presented fake documents and get away with it. I hear a lot of these stories everyday from clients who come to my office for visa consultations. But, you might not be lucky. Remember, everyday for the thief, but one day for the owner. So, be warned and desist from that act if you are to patronizing agents who assist you with fake invitation letters, fake bank statement of account, fake travel insurance and all sorts. You can actually get the right documents and get your visa.