How To Apply For Schengen Visa From Sri Lanka

You might get surprised to learn that a Schengen Visa for Citizens of Sri Lanka can enable you to enter multiple countries without additional paperwork. The Schengen Zone consists of 26 countries that do not have borders within their area. A person with a schengen visa with multiple entries can visit all the countries involved in the schengen zone.

The Schengen Visa Cost For The Citizens Of Sri Lanka

The visa cost for a schengen visa differs for different age groups. 

For adults, the visa cost is 80 euros, and 40 euros for ages 6 to 12 years. Schengen visa is free of cost for children ages less than 6 years.

Schengen visa general documents requirements for the citizens of Sri Lanka:

The documentation requirements to get a schengen visa as a citizen of Sri Lanka visa are as following:

  • A filled application form with all your correct personal information, including date of birth, country of residence, the purpose of visiting the schengen zone, and passport number. Application forms are available online on the websites of visa centres and can be easily downloaded.
  • Your passport as Sri Lankan. You must have an original passport with at least two blank pages.
  • Your 2 passport-sized photographs according to the Embassy’s requirements for the specific country you are applying.
  • Marriage certificate or birth certificate as your civil status certificate.
  • You have valid proof of accommodation. You can provide the hotel reservation proof or the ID of the friend or family with whom you want to stay.
  • A booked flight reservation for Schengen visa from Sri Lanka. If you take any internal flights, you can also include those tickets. You can visit the online websites providing flight reservation services for the visa application process.
  • It would help if you had travel insurance of 30,000 euros for any medical emergencies.
  • Receipt of paid visa fee
  • Cover letter explaining clearly your purpose for visiting the schengen zone.
  • Documents showing your employment status
  • Proof of financial means you have enough funds to meet all your expenses while in the schengen zone.
  • Invitation letter from host or family who must state they are eligible to meet all your expenses. They will provide all their information regarding name, address, and contact.
  • Some embassies may ask you for the Guarantee form filled out by your host.it is called a liability statement or statement of declaration.

How Do You Should Organize Your Schengen Visa Documents?

You cannot follow a set procedure for organising your documents for your Schengen visa – every embassy has its requirements. Your application form may be the first document you need to arrange, followed by your passport, while the rest do not need to be arranged in any particular order. Some embassies, however, may ask for your passport and freshly taken passport-sized photos first, followed by the application. Unless your application centre or embassy gives you specific instructions, ensure you have all the required documents and arrange them logically.

Is there any Need to Translate the Documents?

You must translate from Sinhala to English or one of the official languages of the Schengen country if you have a document issued in Sri Lankan. To be valid for submission, translated documents must be legal or certified with an Apostille stamp.

Is There Any Need To Submit Biometrics During The Visa Application Process?

On the day of your visa interview, you must submit your fingerprints at the embassy/consulate/visa centre. VIS (Schengen Visa Information System) requires ten digital fingerprints. However, you have to submit your biometrics only if this is your first Schengen visa application or if 5 years have passed since you last submitted them.

How Early Should I Apply For The Schengen Visa Application?

Applying at least 15 days before you plan to visit any schengen country is always recommended. It is because if the Embassy faces any complications with your application, you will have enough time to resolve all the issues. A multiple-entry visa holder may apply before the expiration of the visa, valid for at least six months.

How Long Does The Embassy Take To Declare The Decision Regarding Visa Application?

After successful application submission and in-person interview, the applicant must wait 15 days. This period may be extended in some cases when the Embassy faces complications with the application, and very rarely, it may take 6 months for any declaration of decision.

Note:

There is no relationship between the Embassy and external individuals or agencies claiming to assist with visa applications. The Embassy does not charge fees beyond those stated on its website.

Unless otherwise stated, the Embassy has no involvement with people or agencies outside its premises who offer services for payment. The Embassy does not charge any extra fee to book an appointment. No seller can influence either the processing period or the decision.