Despite the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, its citizens are still allowed to travel to European countries and enjoy the wonders of Europe. However, problem comes when UK residents plan trips to the Schengen territory the Schengen policies requires the Brits to get a visa before embarking on their journey. To have a great travel experience, let’s go through the Schengen visa regulations together.

Do I Need to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Visit Europe from the UK?

In February 2020, the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union. Travel to European countries has become more complicated for British citizens. While UK citizens were previously allowed to enter the Schengen Zone without a visa, it is important to note that not all UK residents have this privilege now. If you are planning to travel to Schengen states, you should obtain a visa before the journey if you fall into the following category:

• A UK passport holder, but you have previously been rejected from entering the area visa-free.
• A foreign passport holder legally residing in the UK, and you hold the passport of a country which:

1. Does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area.
2. Has a visa-free agreement with Schengen, but you have been previously denied entry into the area.

At present, the European Union and the U.K. have established a temporary agreement allowing visa-free travel. However, starting from the end of 2023, U.K. citizens will be required to apply for travel authorization through the ETIAS system, which aims to simplify the process of visa-free travel.

How do I apply for ETIAS ?

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (hereinafter called ESTA) will track visitors from visa-exempt countries. And it will be open to nationals from at least 62 countries, including Australia, America, Brazil, and Canada to help them apply for Business, Medical or any other type of Visa.

To get ETIAS approval, you will need to complete an online application form. This process typically takes about 10 minutes. You will answer various questions and provide personal details. The only document required for the application is a valid biometric passport, preferably with an electronic chip. Once approved, your ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the expiration of your travel document, whichever comes first.

However, if you are a citizen of a country that does not have a visa-free travel arrangement with the Schengen Zone and you reside in the U.K., you need to apply for a Schengen Visa instead of using the ETIAS system.

What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Schengen Visa From the UK?

The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a Schengen visa in the UK:

• A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure:

○   Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years.

○   Your passport must  contain two blank pages available for stamping.

○   Your passport should be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.

• A valid UK residence permit or other forms of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)

• Schengen Visa application form. You can download it online or require it from the embassy of the Member State you plan to visit. 

• Two photos.Your photos must meet all of the Schengen visa photo requirements that has a light background, is brightly coloured and shows full facial features. The photo must be taken less than six months old and  with no trace of staples.

• Schengen Visa cover letter. In this letter, it is necessary for you to provide a comprehensive explanation of your reasons for visiting the country, including details about your accommodation arrangements and planned activities during your entire stay.

• Proof of travel arrangements: You need explain your  traveling plan from the UK to the Schengen Zone and back. You can use the following proof:

○ A booked flight reservation.

○ Package tour.

○ Proof Onward Travel, etc.

• Schengen travel insurance.It is mandatory to provide proof of health insurance coverage that extends to the entire Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR per person. This coverage should include medical emergencies and repatriation in the event of death.

• Proof of accomodation.Amongst others, you need to show where you will be staying during your time in the Schengen Area. 
• Proof of financial status. To gain entry into any of the Schengen countries, it is mandatory for travelers to possess a minimum specified amount of money per day. This can be demonstrated through a bank statement showing the required funds or a letter of sponsorship, among other acceptable forms of proof. Documents should not be more than one month old. .
• Additional Documents: Depending on your employment status, you will have to submit the following documents:

If you are an employee:

○ Leave permission from the employer.

○ Employment contract.

○ Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.

 If you are self-employed:

○  copy of your business license.

○  Income Tax Return (ITR).

         If you are retired:Pension statement of the last 6 months.

         If you are studying at a UK university:Proof of enrollment.

         If you are unemployed and married to a UK citizen:

○ Your spouse’s Confirmation of Employment. The document should be provided by your spouse’s employer and should include information such as your spouse’s position within the company and their start date.

○ Spouse’s valid passport.

○ An officially translated marriage certificate.If your marriage certificate was issued outside the EU, it must bear a stamp by the Foreign Office of the issuing country or its Embassy in the UK. Additionally, if your marriage certificate is not in English, it must be translated and certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in the UK.

Where to Submit My Schengen Visa Application in the UK?

Even though the Schengen zone doesn’t have borders inside, you can’t just go to any embassy in the UK to apply for a visa. There are specific rules about which embassy you need to go to based on certain criteria.

• If you are visiting only one Schengen country, you can simply make an appointment at the embassy/consulate/visa center of that country in the UK and attend the interview.
• If you are visiting more than one Schengen country with an equal number of days in each country, you should apply at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country, where you will step first.
• If you will be spending an unequal number of days in each country, you should apply at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country where you will be spending more days.
• Depending on the country, which needs to process your file, you may have to submit your application at:
• The embassy or consulate of the country that you want to visit.
• A visa center in the UK.

How do I Apply for a Schengen Visa from the UK?

Applying for a Schengen visa in the UK is similar to applying anywhere else in the world. The application process for a Schengen visa from the UK includes the following steps:

• Choose the type of Schengen visa that you need.

Depending on your pupose of travel to Schengen zone, there are different types of Schengen visas that you can apply for :

-Tourist Schengen Visa

-Transit  Schengen Visa

-Business  Schengen Visa

-Visitor  Schengen Visa

-Cultural  Schengen Visa

-Medical Treatment  Schengen Visa

-Short-term study visa.

-Official Visit Visa.

• Book an appointment.

Before you submit your Schengen Visa application, you need to book an appointment with the  corresponding diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate). You can go to the nearby embassy/consulate responsible for visa application in London or find a accredited agency, such as VFS or BLS, who can assist you in the process of application .

• Complete the Schengen visa application form.

This application form verifies your personal information, your trip and the purpose of your trip. Be careful when filling out the form, as any mistake can make your application denied.

• Collect the required documents.

Bring all the necessary documents on the checklist. In case of missing files, you’d better put them in catagorized manila folders.

• Submit the application.

Submit the Schengen visa application form together with the required  documents to the embassy or consulate of the Schengen Member State you intend to visit.

• Pay the application fee.

You have to pay the application fee before you get the Schengen Visa. For different age groups, the fee varies. If you are rejected by the diplomatic officials. The fee will not be refunded, so you have to go through every aepect of the application carefully.

Note: As is shown in two currencies, the fee can be paid only in UK Pounds.

• Attend the interview.

All applicants need to attend the interview. Don’t be afraid and just answer the consular officers’ quesiton with honesty.

• Wait to receive your Schengen visa.

Usually, the processing time for a Schengen visa takes about 15 working days from the date you submit the visa application. If additional documents are required, the processing time can extend to 30 days. However, when you receive your Visa, the beautiful view of Europe is waiting for you to enjoy!

Conclusion

For British citizens, traveling to European countries can cost more effort than before. Even though there is no internal border between Schengen zones, as a British citizen,you have to identify specific regulations about visa application of Schengen countries. Luckily, you have found this article about step-by-step  Schengen visa application instruction. If you have any problems with the application fee, required documents or any other procedures, you can come back and check it!