Show them the money

Getting a visa to the Schengen countries is not an easy process. In addition to the standard package of documents (passport, photo, application form, certificate of employment) in some consulates require financial guarantees. What is it and why? To put it simply, financial guarantees is a confirmation that a person has money with which he is able to pay for the tour and, more importantly, that he is willing to spend in the country he wants to go to. In addition, documents confirming a steady income is evidence that a tourist is not a potential illegal migrant. The first and mandatory FG is to indicate the source of income. This is a certificate of employment with an indication of the salary, sometimes with a translation into the desired language (in some consulates, the fact of employment must be confirmed with a copy of the employment record). If the tourist is a CPA, then it is necessary to submit a declaration with a stamp of the tax inspectorate indicating the income and a copy of the registration certificate. Further requirements for FG vary depending on which consulate the package of documents is submitted to. But the meaning is the same – to confirm the solvency of the visa applicant. For example, almost all consulates are asked to show that the applicant has a bank account. Also, some consulates are asked to provide travel checks at the rate of EUR50-100 per day of stay. The so-called “sponsorship statements” are often practiced – notarized sureties from a third party, which gives an obligation to incur all financial costs associated with a tourist trip. Further I offer the list of additional FG in some consulates. Austria. Extract from the current account or a photocopy of the credit card + statement on the movement of money in the account (translated into German, with the seal of the translation bureau. Sponsorship statement is also translated into German). Great Britain. All documents confirming solvency: the presence of real estate, bank accounts, credit cards, etc. All documents must be in copies and it is desirable to have originals. Greece. Traveler’s checks (about EUR1000 per week of stay) or an international credit card with a sufficient balance on the account. Spain. The implicit requirement for a bank account is also practiced financial guarantee. Italy. The most demanding consulate! Traveler’s checks (at the rate of EUR50 per day), credit card valid for at least three months prior to submission, with a copy of the service agreement with the bank, with a statement of cash flow, with a sufficient balance (at least EUR400 for a week). And for SPD, the list is even longer – receipts and a certificate of income from tax are added, copies of patents, licenses and certificates for activities, copies of premises rental contracts (all copies are notarized). Also practiced sponsorship statement. Netherlands. Traveller’s checks (for the amount of EUR500), sponsorship application. Norway, Sweden. Certificate from the bank about the availability of the account. France. Expanded certificate of employment, certificate from the bank about the presence of the account and the movement of money in the account for six months, as well as documents about the availability of real estate. All these documents must be translated into English or French. Switzerland. In addition to the certificate of employment, a letter-presentation on the activities of the company, a copy of a valid credit card, or a bank statement on the presence of an account with a sufficient balance in the account are required. These documents must be translated into English, French, German or Italian. No matter how complicated such requirements may seem, these are necessary documents, they must be provided. Well, it is necessary to take a philosophical view of the situation – the so-called “guarantees” are not a barrier, but a step on the road to travel.