I would like to share the following information for people who are planning to visit Europe. I have been helping a lot of people, usually friends of mine who wanted to visit Europe. Here are the following:

Tourist Visa

SCHENGEN VISA: REQUIREMENTS FOR TOURIST VISA

A tourist visit to the Netherlands and the Schengen area is not necessarily to be organized by a travel agent. A tourist visa will allow you to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days. For such a visit the following documents are required:

For the purpose of visiting family/friends:

1. Visa application form, duly completed and signed by the applicant
2. 1 recent and resembling photograph, passport size.
3. International passport with a validity of at least 3 months after the scheduled return
4. Proof of insurance for the whole period of travel against costs for medical treatment and or repatriation covering up to at least an amount of EUR 30.000 and valid for all countries in the Schengen area.
5. A letter of invitation of the person in the Netherlands including a copy of his/her passport
6. A letter of guarantee from the host available at the city hall, together with latest bank statements or proof of income such as the 3 latest salaryslips of the host.
7. Return flight reservation. Please, provide a photocopy of your flightreservation
8. Proof of employment, which is for employees: a recent employers’ statement that should mention salary, date of entree and duration of absence; for private businessmen: a photocopy of SEC registration of your company, business permit + tax-paying certificate "ITR"
9. For students: registration from a school or university and if travelling during study period, certificate from school of university with permission of absence
10. For minors: legalised authorisation of the parents (original and copy)
11. For non-citizens in the country you are currently residing, please present working visa or residence permit + registration valid 3 months after scheduled return

For the purpose of tourism:

1. Visa application form, duly completed and signed by the applicant
2. Recent and resembling photograph, passport size.
3. International passport with a validity of at least 3 months after the scheduled return
4. Proof of insurance for the whole period of travel against costs for medical treatment and or repatriation covering up to at least an amount of EUR 30.000 and valid for all countries in the Schengen area
5. A hotel confirmation for the whole travel period, including all other countries that you are going to visit
6. Complete itinerary of your trip
7. Proof of financial means: statements of bank account or salaryslips not older than 3 months.
8. Return flight reservation. Please, provide a photocopy of your flightreservation
9. Proof of employment, which is for employees: a recent employers’ statement that should mention salary, date of entree and duration of absence; for private businessmen: a photocopy of SEC registration of your company, business permit + tax-paying certificate "ITR"
10. For students: registration from a school or university and if travelling during study period, certificate from school of university with permission of absence
11. For minors: legalised authorisation of the parents (original and copy)
12. For non-citizens in the country you are currently residing, please present working visa or residence permit + registration valid 3 months after scheduled return.

The embassy has the right to ask for additional documents if this is considered necessary.

Please take notice of the next important details:
• Please note that due to a mandatory consultation with the other Schengen partners the processing time will take at least 14 calender days.
• Make an appointment in time. In some periods during the year there can be a waiting time of three to four weeks before an appointment can be made.
• A visa application cannot be accepted until payment of the chancery fee is received. This fee is non refundable.
• Purchase a ticket only when the visa has been issued.
• The application will not be processed while it does not contain all required documents.After submitting an incomplete application a maximum of two weeks will be allowed to deliver the missing documents. Otherwise the applicant will receive an official refusal.
• If necessary, the applicant can be asked to provide additional information and inquiries can be made.
• The applicant has to use his own facilities in providing documents.

The visa is one of the conditions to get free access to the Schengen area. When crossing the border you may be asked to supply the controlling officer with original documents that provide proof of your financial means, of insurance against costs for medical treatment or repatriation, of the purpose of your travel, length of stay, etc.

The Visa Application form is available for download at:

http://www.eurovisa.info/Forms/pdf/SchengenVisaApplicaion_En.pdf

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For more information, inquire at the respective embassy in your country. You can verify the above information.