Dear Rob/Editor,
I sent registered application forms for a Schengen visa to Thailand a month ago, but the papers have still not arrived. Sending it again next week, don't know how long it will take again.
Can you also email a warranty statement? Or must the official form be sent?
Do readers have the same experience?
Regards,
Bob
Dear Bob,
In the Schengen file I write about this that these should actually be originals, but that in some (special) cases the decision officer can agree to a good copy. Due to the Covid pandemic, the post is still not quite the way it used to be and perhaps the Foreign Affairs officials will agree with a clear copy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has never been able to give me a concrete answer because “it depends on the situation” and “each dossier is assessed on its unique merits”. If you think that waiting for receipt of the first or second original is not really an option, I would simply try an application with a copy of the documents and briefly add a written explanation that the originals have not yet surfaced.
Good luck, best regards,
Rob V
NB: quote page 17 of the Schengen file “Tip: make a good scan of the guarantee form and other important documents. This way you always have a copy of the (original) documents. If the original guarantee form is lost, the decision official may agree to a good (colour) copy”.