Schengen Business Visa
A Schengen business visa allows you to travel to the Schengen Area countries
(Europe) for business purposes. It is required by citizens of countries that
have mandatory visa requirements for visits to Europe, and who are traveling
with the sole purpose of conducting business.
What documents are required when applying for a Schengen business visa?
The following documents are required for a Schengen business visa application :
1. A fully completed and signed visa application form,
2. Two recently taken passport photographs,
3. A valid passport with more than three months left until it expires,
4. Older passports with past visas on them, if you possess them,
5. An itinerary of your trip - including dates, flight numbers, and hotel
reservations, or proof of accommodation.
6. You will also need to prove your financial means - providing evidence you
have enough money to support yourself during your business trip - and need to
include a bank statement no older than three months and/or a sponsorship letter
if someone else is funding your trip. You will need to provide a bank statement
from your sponsor if this is the case. You can also provide a combination of the
two.
You will also need to provide proof that you have paid your visa application
fee, a cover letter explaining the purpose of your business trip, and a short
profile of your workplace in the Schengen Area.
Employees traveling on company business will also need to provide a letter from
your employer describing the purpose of your visit, while those invited by a
company within the Schengen Area will need to present a letter of invitation
documenting the reasons for your visit - sent via email to the consulate of the
country you plan to travel to. You will also need to provide an employment
contract, a bank statement documenting the last six months of statements,
permission from your employer, and an income tax return.
The self-employed will need to provide a copy of your business license, a
company bank statement for the last six months, and your income tax return.