REQUIREMENTS FOR A SCHENGEN VISA

The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The maximum period of stay allowed is 90 days within six months, with one or multiple entries.


1. The Competent Visa Office

The Consulate General of the country of your main destination should issue your visa. If you visit more than one Schengen country and the main destination cannot be determined (i.e. you spend the same number of nights in all countries), please submit your application at the Consulate General of the country of first entry.


2. Visa Application

Please complete the application form and attach one (or two) recent photograph(s) as well as the documents required. The application must be signed and submitted in person. Due to possible delays in processing individual visa applications, it is recommended that you lodge your application not later than three weeks before the date of your planned departure.

3. Processing Time and Fees

In general, visa processing procedures for short-term visas should not exceed 5 working days but may vary in individual cases.

The current fee for a Schengen visa is EUR 60 payable in HKD and must be settled upon application. Fees are non-refundable. Payment must be made in cash, although some Consulates accept other means of payment. For further details please contact the Consulate concerned.

4. Visa-Free Entry

Holders of Hong Kong SAR, BN(O) and Macao SAR passports are entitled to a visa-free entry to Schengen countries lasting up to 90 days. For a visa-free entry, you must have a confirmed round trip airline ticket and a passport or travel document, valid for at least six months after your entry into the Schengen area.

5. Document of Identity

Currently, the Documents of Identity (ID) are dealt with as non-recognised by Greece, Malta and Poland. All Schengen visas issued will, therefore, exclude those countries from the territorial validity of the visa. If you wish to travel to Greece, Malta or Poland,  please contact the relevant Consulate for further information.


6. Harmonised List of Supporting Documents

For your short-term Schengen visa application, please, provide the following documents eihter in English or in the language of the country of the Consulate General where the application is submitted:

1. Application form, duly completed plus 1 (or 2) recent photograph (s), size: head between 30-36mm from tip of chin to top of hair.

2. Passport or travel document, valid for at least 6 months.

3. Confirmed round trip airline booking (ticket to be produced on collection of the visa).

4. Proof of your financial circumstances (such as a recent bank book statement, a recent bank account statement or fixed deposit statement)

5. A letter from your employer confirming your leave (if applicable)

6. Guarantee letter by company (employer) with bank endorsement (if applicable)

7. Student identification / university cover letter (if applicable) 

8. A letter of invitation from the person you are visiting in the Schengen area or from your business partner in the Schengen area or a confirmed hotel accomodation booking (whichever is applicable)

9. Travel medical insurance (coverage EUR 30,000 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay). To be produced on collection of the visa.

10. Minor applicants must present their birth certificates and a written consent of their parents / legal guardians (application must be submitted by parents / legal guardians)

Further documents might be requested in individual cases.