SCHENGEN VISA FILE

Thailandblog regularly asks questions about Schengen visas. This Schengen visa file deals with the most important points of attention and questions. Good and timely preparation is very important for a successful visa application.

Below is the introduction of the file; in the complete dossier, the subject matter is discussed in more detail and a multitude of questions are answered. This file was written by Rob V. and tries to be a handy summary of all the things you need to take into account in a Schengen visa. The file is mainly intended for readers living in Europe or Thailand who want to bring a Thai (partner) to the Netherlands or Belgium for a holiday.

The Schengen visa

If a Thai wants to come to the Netherlands or Belgium for a holiday of up to 90 days, a Schengen visa is required for most situations. Only Thai people who hold a valid residence permit from one of the Schengen member states or those who hold a 'residence card for family members of a citizen of the Union' from one of the EU countries do not need a visa to enter the Schengen member states. visits.

The Schengen area is a cooperation of 26 European member states that have a common border and visa policy. The Member States are therefore bound by the same visa rules, which are laid down in the common Visa Code, EU Regulation 810/2009/EC. This enables travelers to move within the entire Schengen area without mutual border controls, visa holders only need one visa - the Schengen visa - to cross the external border of the Schengen area.

Officially this visa is called one short stay visa (VKV), or visa 'type C', but also popularly referred to as 'tourist visa'. A residence permit is required for long stays (longer than 90 days), which is a different procedure that this file does not discuss.

The main requirements

The most important requirements at a glance, of course it can differ per individual and application what exactly is needed. In general, the traveler (is also the visa applicant) shows that he:

• Is in possession of a valid travel document (passport).

– The travel document must be valid for 3 months longer than the end of the visa period, and may not be older than 10 years.

• Can afford the trip financially: has sufficient means of support.
  – For the Netherlands, the requirement is 34 euros per day per traveler.
  – For Belgium, 95 euros per day if he/she stays in a hotel or 45 euros per day if the traveler is accommodated with a private individual.
  – If the traveler does not have sufficient means, a guarantor (the inviting party) must stand surety. The income of this person, the sponsor, is then looked at.
• Has papers related to the place of residence, such as a hotel reservation or proof of residence (accommodation) with a private individual.
• For the Netherlands, an original form 'proof of guarantee and/or private accommodation' must be completed for this purpose. This form must be legalized at the municipality.
• For Belgium, an invitation letter and an original guarantee statement legalized by the municipality.
• Have medical travel insurance for the entire Schengen area with a cover of at least 30.000 euros. Request this from an insurer who will refund the money (minus administration costs) in the event of a visa rejection.
• Has an option or reservation on an airline ticket. Do not book (pay) the ticket until the visa has been granted! A return (reservation) is immediately one officially recognized piece of evidence that makes the traveler's return more plausible.
• Makes it plausible that he/she will return to Thailand in time. It is a combination of evidence. For example, previous visas for (Western) countries, a job, possession of real estate and other matters that demonstrate a strong social or economic bond with Thailand, such as care for minor children.
• Has not been reported to the European authorities and does not pose a threat to public order or national security.
• Two recent passport size photos that meet the requirement.
• A completed and signed application form for a Schengen visa.
• A copy of all submitted documents. Tip: also scan everything so that the applicant and sponsor have a copy of all submitted documents (for example to show at the border).

Where should I apply for a visa?

Only the foreign guest can apply for a visa, he is called the 'foreigner'. The possible inviter is called the 'referee' and therefore cannot submit an application.

An application must be submitted in person by the foreign national to the embassy of the country of destination: the Dutch or Belgian embassy. If someone wants to visit several Member States, the application must be submitted to the embassy of the country that can be regarded as the main residence, ie the country where one wants to stay the longest or which is the primary purpose of the trip. If there is no clear main purpose, a visa must be applied for at the embassy of the country of first entry.

When can a visa application be submitted?

A visa application can be made at the earliest 3 months and at the latest 15 calendar days (due to the normal maximum decision period) before the intended travel date. It is therefore advisable to submit the application well in advance, preferably at least one month before the intended departure date.

How do you submit an application for the Netherlands?

You must make an appointment for a short-stay visa. The appointment will have to be given by the embassy within 2 weeks of the request by the applicant. There are two ways to make an appointment to submit an application:

• 1) Via the external service provider VFS Global. For this, a payment must be made (including additional service costs of 480 Baht) to VFS Global and you can then book an appointment on the website of VFS Global via a digital appointment calendar. The visa will be returned by courier (EMS).
• 2) By sending an e-mail to the consular service of the embassy: ban-ca [at] minbuza.nl . If you hand in a sufficiently stamped envelope, the passport can be sent home by registered mail after processing. Otherwise, it must be collected from the embassy.

The application is submitted at the embassy itself on the agreed date and time. Only the foreign national may enter, without the sponsor.

How do you submit an application for Belgium?

You must make an appointment for a short-stay visa. The appointment will have to be given by the embassy within 2 weeks of the request by the applicant. There are two ways to make an appointment to submit an application:

• 1) Via the external service provider VFS Global. For this, a payment must be made (including additional service costs of 275 Baht) to VFS Global and you can then book an appointment via a digital appointment calendar. The visa will be returned by courier (EMS).
• 2) By sending an email to the consular service of the embassy: visa.bangkok [at] diplobel.fed.be . If you hand in a sufficiently stamped envelope with this second option or pay the postage at the counter, the passport can be sent to your home by registered post (by EMS) after it has been processed. Otherwise, the applicant will be notified by the embassy and the visa can be collected from the embassy without an appointment.

What is the procedure at the embassy, ​​is there an interview?

Only the foreign national enters (may) enter, after all it is the applicant who will submit and explain a request. The embassy is also not interested in interfering or even aggressive referees, so they are not allowed access. You submit the application at the counter. The Thai desk clerk will then go through the documents with you as the applicant and take biometric data (fingerprints, passport photos). Some questions will also be asked. The nature and scope of the questions will depend, among other things, on the purpose of travel, travel history and the quality and completeness of the documents submitted. They are not interested in your life story or private matters, they will only want to determine what the purpose of your trip is and whether everything is okay. Questions may be asked about (the relationship with) the sponsor. This is to substantiate the purpose of the trip, but also to detect possible human trafficking, for example. If the applicant has prepared well, you do not have to worry about the intake.

On the basis of the documents and the short questions at the desk, the desk clerk can make some notes for the benefit of a good assessment. The application will be declared admissible and then forwarded to the back office where other employees will further process and assess the application. If you still have questions during the treatment, you could be called up later for a separate interview.

How long does the processing take?

In a normal situation, the statutory decision period for an accepted application is a maximum of 15 calendar days, but in practice - outside the peak season - the processing time is approximately one week.

In individual cases, if further documents must be submitted by the applicant, the decision period can be extended to a maximum of 30 calendar days. In exceptional cases, if a further investigation is required by the central authorities (IND/DVZ), the deadline is 60 calendar days at the latest. Therefore, submit the application well in advance, if possible at least one month in advance.

Annex: Schengen Visa Dossier

Click here to open the attachment: SCHENGEN VISA FILE (PDF) There are many more questions and answers in this file:

Table of Contents:
Questions about the application procedure

• Where should I apply for a visa?
• When can a visa application be submitted?
• How do you submit an application for the Netherlands?
• How do you submit an application for Belgium?
• How do you submit an application through VFS Global?
• Can I also submit an application through a visa agency or visa service company?
• How long does the processing take?
• What does an application cost?
• The visa has just been received back, now what?
• What to do in case of rejection?

Preparation of the application: collecting supporting documents

• Do I have to buy a flight ticket in advance or is a reservation sufficient?
• What kind of documents can you submit to prove that there is a connection with Thailand?
• What kind of insurance is required?
• What are the passport photo requirements?
• Where can you find the application form for a Schengen visa?
• Where can you find the 'certificate of guarantee and/or private accommodation'?
• What is required if the Dutch sponsor wants to act as guarantor?
• What is required if the Belgian sponsor wants to act as guarantor?
• When does the validity of a guarantee expire?

Questions about traveling on a visa and staying in the Schengen area:

• For how many days or entries can you best apply for the visa?
• How long can you stay in the Schengen area?
• I have a multiple entry visa, what does this mean?
• When do I get a multiple entry visa (MEV?)
• What are the consequences of illegal stay (overstay)?
• Can you extend a visa?
• Are there other types of visas besides short stay?
• Where can you travel on a Schengen visa?
• What should you watch out for at the border?
• Is there a reporting obligation?
• Can you travel to the United Kingdom with a Schengen visa?
• What about special visas/procedures for the family of an EU/EEA national?
• On the visa there is a ten-digit number under 'details', what is this?
• What does a short stay visa look like, what does it all mean?

READ THE COMPLETE FILE HERE: SCHENGEN VISA (PDF)

Finally, the author has made every effort to include the most recent information as accurately as possible. The file can be seen as a service to the readers and may nevertheless contain errors or outdated information. Therefore, always consult official sources such as the website of the embassy for up-to-date information.

About this blogger

Rob V

Regular visitor to Thailand since 2008. Works in the accounting department of a Dutch wholesaler.

In his spare time he likes to go cycling, walking or reading a book. Mainly non-fiction, especially the history, politics, economy and society of the Netherlands, Thailand and countries in the region. Likes to listen to heavy metal and other noise

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