Dear friends,
I need some info about getting schengen visa from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A lot of stuff is available on the net but i want to know from someone who has taken it in recent years from Riyadh, like what are the requirements, where to apply, a letter from the employer is needed or not, how much time doesn't it take usually and does getting a sponsor letter from any of the schengen countries where some of my relatives reside make my case stronger.I will appreciate a detailed reply.Hope admin will allow it for a while, thanks.
XYZ replied on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 08:55 PM
1) Sponsor letter from your emplyor with your salary and certified from chamber of comerce office.
2) Airticket confirmation, Confirmed Hotel booking, Travel Insurrance
3) Last 3-6 month Bank statement
4) Visa application form which schengen country you r applying for.
5) Invitaion is not necessaroy but you job title, your Salary and strong financial bank statement is most important.
Rest you can call embassy of the country where ur applying for visa they will guide you. |
limo replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:12 AM
Do we need some kind of health insurance also! Which country has the most linientolicies towards issuing such visas so that one should apply there only, thanks for the info indeed |
javid replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 05:23 AM
health in insurance is MUST go to NCC Tawania in deplomatic are they are well familiar and ask them to make a health insurance for you for Schengen Visa for the period you will be in travel (2 to 3 month) Apply Austria Embassy they normally have lesser rush But still it can take up to 2 weeks.
In general it is advisable to apply in a country where you are going to land first. |
Kashif Ali replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 08:22 AM
Dear Limo!
Just wanna confirm you that it is the rule, you have to apply in a country where you are going to land first.
Initially they are giving 1 month visa. but you will give them strong reasons for long time, then they might give you upto three months visa on initial basis.
Health insurance is MUST
When you will purchase the air tickets, some airline providing the option at the time to purchasing like , do you want insurance . . . check the rate, if it would be cheap then you will buy health insurance with the tickets.
You can also buy the health insurance separately. but it's the part of documentation.
Good Luck |
limo replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 09:12 AM
Dear Javaid n kashif,
Thanks for the reply, just forgot to ask about travelers cheques....read somewhere in the requirements that original / copies of the travelers cheques (of the min amount that we should carry as per embassy calculation) also need to be submitted, is it true or there is another way so that they get convinced about our financial strength. This requirement is other than the bank statement which is a must of course, regards |
javid replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 09:53 AM
You MUST need to have a valid credit card and embassy will ask for photocopy of this credit card for their record. No requirement of traveler checque I believe these day since you HOLD a credit card. |
Kashif Ali replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 10:21 AM
Dear limo,
If you will check requirements for Schengen on official websites of France, Sweden, Spain for example. They need a proof for financial strength.
you can explain your valid bank statement/valid credit card/travel cheques in application form/cover letter as a proof of financial strength.
I have submitted my bank statement of last 6 months and they didn't ask me anything else ! |
limo replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:21 PM
Dear Javid, n Kashif,
Must say you people have been really helpful, actually Javed I am kind of person who stayed away from credit cards al of my life, so would like to initially go with a bank statement as Kashif said,....but if you call it a MUST meaning I have to get it anyhow, is it so !!
Lastly if I have plans to enter UK also, shall I be able to get visa from any of the schengen countries somehow OR I should obtain a UK visa separately from Riyadh itself before starting my journey. Thanks |
limo replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:21 PM
Dear Javid, n Kashif,
Must say you people have been really helpful, actually Javed I am kind of person who stayed away from credit cards al of my life, so would like to initially go with a bank statement as Kashif said,....but if you call it a MUST meaning I have to get it anyhow, is it so !!
Lastly if I have plans to enter UK also, shall I be able to get visa from any of the schengen countries somehow OR I should obtain a UK visa separately from Riyadh itself before starting my journey. Thanks |
Kashif Ali replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 01:36 PM
Dear Limo,
You can't enter Uk on Schengen Visa, the idea to get a visit VISA from Schengen countries is not good, the simple reason is that UK embassy never give exact timelines for the processing of visa (including visit visa). Also the chances to get UK visit visa is very less, if you wanna have a visa for sure, then you have to show strong sponsorship letter, or valid business or company trip. otherwise general tourist visa or visit visa, 90% cases are refused (this is only for green passport).
Now days for 70% cases they are talking more then 2 months for the processing of visa application, in case of delay they are not answerable to give you the reason of delaying. sometimes they are delaying for 6 months!
you should get Schengen withink 2 to 3 weeks. I got my visa in exact 2 weeks time. |
javid replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 02:18 PM
Dear Limo... Kashif Ali is 100% right. You can not have a visa from any other country then origin or country where you are working, as you are in Saudi Arabia and this special restriction is generally on green passport. If your main aim is visiting UK try to get Schengen first or other way around.
Credit card is most credible advantage to carry these days and some time not having gives shaky impression specially in Europe/USA.
Normally the chagres are high when you draw money otherwise it is equal to same amount you pay for any purchase, I will suggest you to apply and get it from your bank before you actually go. |
dr Khan replied on Thursday, September 13, 2012 03:37 PM
You must enter EU from the same country for whom u have visa. Plz keep this in mind while applying and buying ticket. |
