ABBEY: As a tourist going to Europe, we need to apply for Schengen Visa. Apply it to the country where you will be staying the most on your trip. We prepared the documents and booked a schedule in VFS Global (Visa Application Center) which costs SGD32 per person. Additional SGD130 per person for the actual visa. We paid both fees with a credit card.
Be in the center on time. We were given a queue number after security check. Put your phone in silent mode and if possible do not use it while in there.
Dress in casual fashion. Do not wear colored contact lenses. All is going well until we were asked about one of our accommodations. It turned out that our printed document didn’t show the dates of our stay. Mani, VFS staff, is kind enough to have it mailed to him and printed it out. After document processing came the photo session and finger printing.
A total of additional SGD8 for miscellaneous services (printing, SMS notification service) were paid and we’re given a receipt. We were able to receive messages that our docs were forwarded to the embassy as well as it is ready for pickup (after 4 days).
Be sure to bring the receipt along with you for passport collection. The process is smooth and seamless as if you’re being given a taste of warm hospitality waiting for you in Europe.
WILL: Documentation... This is the part that visa applicants should be really careful. So how do we fill up our application form? You can refer to below photo as sample.
The next requirement you need to furnish is the itinerary. This will be checked against your printed hotel booking confirmation.
On my case, I need a sponsorship’s letter. This is the format we used. Feel free to copy it. Please do remember that one application should be furnished for each person.
This is the link for the documents required for visa application according to travel purpose. We followed Temporary Visit for Sight-seeing For Single Entry and this is the list and we highlighted it in RED the documents that mostly of the applicants were lacking:
Principal Visa Applicant:
1. One application form duly completed and signed.
2. Two (2) photographs no more than 6-months old, 35–40mm in width, white background.
3. Original passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen area
4. Provide photocopy of the passport data page
5. Previous Schengen visas within last 3 years
6. Valid USA/UK visas if available
7. Proof of legal residence valid at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen territory. Original plus 1 photocopy back and front of Employment Pass / Permanent Resident card and re-entry permit / Dependent Pass / Student Pass, showing validity (print-out of SG work pass app)
8. Original letter from the applicant's employer: confirming employment, duration of recruitment, status, income and upcoming leave. The original company letter (must be physically signed and stamped) must be submitted.
9. A booking for a round-trip airline ticket or printout of a flight reservation with the applicant’s name (final destination must be outside Schengen territory).
10. A travel itinerary including hotel/apartment reservations for the entire trip in the Schengen area. Train or bus tickets to be submitted for missing nights e.g. overnight train/bus.
11. Schengen travel/medical insurance with following coverage:
* Medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation for medical reasons, repatriation of mortal remains, for at least EUR 30’000;
* Valid for entire Schengen area;
* Valid for entire duration of stay in the Schengen area. A travel insurance explicitly excluding insurance benefits in relation with Covid-19 cannot be accepted.
12. Proof of the applicant's financial circumstances: Please submit complete detailed bank statements of the last 3 months with bank letterhead and the name of the account holder.
13. Tourist Visa Checklist
14. VFS Appointment Letter
Sponsored Visa Applicant:
1. One application form duly completed and signed.
2. Two (2) photographs no more than 6-months old, 35–40mm in width, white background.
3.Original passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen area
4. Provide photocopy of the passport data page
5. Previous Schengen visas within last 3 years
6. Valid USA/UK visas if available
7. Proof of legal residence valid at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen territory. Original plus 1 photocopy back and front of Employment Pass / Permanent Resident card and re-entry permit / Dependent Pass / Student Pass, showing validity (print-out of SG work pass app)
8. A booking for a round-trip airline ticket or printout of a flight reservation with the applicant’s name (final destination must be outside Schengen territory).
9. A travel itinerary including hotel/apartment reservations for the entire trip in the Schengen area. Train or bus tickets to be submitted for missing nights e.g. overnight train/bus.
10. Schengen travel/medical insurance with following coverage:
* Medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation for medical reasons, repatriation of mortal remains, for at least EUR 30’000;
* Valid for entire Schengen area;
* Valid for entire duration of stay in the Schengen area. A travel insurance explicitly excluding insurance benefits in relation with Covid-19 cannot be accepted.
11. Sponsor's Letter
12. Sponsor's company/employment letter
13. Sponsor's passport copy
14. Sponsor's 3 months detailed bank statements
15. Original and Photocopy of Marriage Certificate
16. Tourist Visa Checklist
17. VFS Appointment Letter
Please, please! Double check your documents specially the dates of hotel booking. VFS officers are keen in checking those against the intended number of nights in Schengen states.
If you have question, you can just pm us in our facebook page!
Happy Planning for your Europe Trip!
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Switzerland Visa Application Center - Singapore
(H) 9:00am to 1:30pm
(A) 135 Cecil Street 08-01 Philippine Airlines Building, 069536
(T) +6531051693