Dear Rob,
I am Belgian and live in Spain as a resident. I am retired (worker). I receive my pension on my Belgian bank account. I would like to invite my Thai girlfriend to Spain with a Schengen visa for 3 months.
I have read many different answers here on the blog, but not specifically for my case. What exactly do I (we) have to do to obtain that visa?
How much money should be in my/her account? She does not work, but has a farm in Isaan. She will also help cut sugar cane to earn some extra money. Both her parents are still alive and she helps them with subsistence.
I am now in Thailand for 1 month to visit her. Do we need to get help from such an office or can we do it ourselves?
I pay tax in Spain on my gross (which is equal to my net) of €1665/month. I own my own house, I have no loan and with that income I can live well here in the countryside. Hopefully I will get clarity for that visa.
Regards,
Marnix
Dear Marnix,
You and your girlfriend can follow the Schengen file in broad outline. See the main page of the blog, in the menu on the left under “files” the topic Schengen visa. On that page there is a download link to the extensive file (PDF file).
The tips and advice contained therein and most of the rules apply to all member states. The only difference is that the financial requirements are slightly different, because each member state has its own way of arranging a guarantee (in which case you provide accommodation and provide financial guarantor). Or if she comes with her own money, each country sets its own requirements as to how much money the foreigner must show per day of stay.
The financial requirements for Spain
If you are the guarantor, they demand, quote:
“• Invitation letter issued by “Policia Nacional de España (Yellow Paper)” (submit in original along with a photocopy)
• Copy of the passport and the DNI or residence card of the person living in Spain.
• Travel itinerary for the entire duration of stay”
* note Rob V.: do not forget to reserve the return flight ticket, DO NOT purchase a fully paid ticket before the request has been approved.
As a sponsor, you must be able to show (according to the Thai-language website of BLS, the English and Spanish versions do not mention the term and amounts!): "income tax return for the past 3 years", without mentioning what your income must be...
If you do not or cannot guarantee:
If she comes with her own money, they demand, quote: “Original Personal bank statements of the applicant for last 6 months for Embassy of Spain, Bangkok with the original stamp and signature of authorized signatory of the bank along with original bank certificate (Saving account only). All the applicants need to provide as it is mandatory. Online Bank statements are not acceptable.”
The Spanish embassy in Bangkok requires proof of at least 65,52 euros per person per day of stay, with a minimum of 586,68 euros in the bank account if someone pays for their own holiday.
Travel Insurance
For travel insurance, choose one from the approved list of Thai travel insurance OR choose an insurer based in Europe. In your case, I would choose a Spanish or Belgian insurer.
Furthermore
You can read the requirements here:
- https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/bangkok/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-Schengen.aspx
– https://thailand.blsspainvisa.com/
Unfortunately, both the Spanish embassy website in Bangkok and the BLS website do not mention what income you should have. And the Spanish embassies in London, Washington, etc. all mention different amounts and terms. I assume that if you earn 100% minimum wage by Spanish standards and have been doing so for some time (the last 3 years), that should be sufficient. If you want to be sure how much money you need to show if income and/or declarations from all 3 of the past year are required, be sure to send an email to the embassy in Bangkok.
Their websites are simply not in order... Very nice, but not really! So I advise you to email the embassy in Bangkok what the income requirement is and what they want to see!
***
Visa for family member EU citizen (if married)
If you are mistaken that you are talking about your girlfriend and are married, it is much simpler: You can then apply for a visa for a family member of an EU/EEA citizen (EU/EEA national). I also briefly mention this in the Schengen dossier here on the blog and it was discussed earlier this month when a reader asked for advice on a visa through the Swiss.
Embassies may differ in small details, but the bottom line is that you only complete a visa application form, provide passport photos, a valid Thai passport and the family relationship (marriage certificate/marriage extract). However, these documents may be required to be officially translated into a language that the embassy (decision official) understands.
This visa is free of charge, and one may not ask for anything more officially: no travel insurance, no guarantee, no loss of income or financial resources, no return ticket reservation and so on. However, you will make many civil servants very happy if you can at least provide a ticket reservation and a nice short letter from you explaining that you are a Belgian (living in Spain, but that doesn't really matter), who are Thai woman wants to come over with Spain as the main destination. And that you rely on the visa regulations for family of an EU/EEA citizen.
That should suffice. You can submit this application via the embassy, the intervention of the service provider (BLS in the case of Spain, is comparable to TLS Contact and VFS Global) is not mandatory and certainly no costs should be charged for this, as free access to the embassy is your right.
Details can also be found on the website of the Spanish Embassy and the European Union:
- https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/bangkok/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/inicio.aspx
- https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-family/index_nl.htm
*** end of information EU family member procedure ***
I hope this is enough information.
Success!
Rob V