Verified visa requirements
Schengen Short-Stay Visitor Visa (Type C) Requirements for UAE Residents
This page summarises Schengen Short-Stay Visitor Visa (Type C) document requirements for Schengen using verified, published Open Visa requirement data (12 documents, last verified 17 Sept 2026). Requirements can vary by nationality and circumstances such as accommodation type, funding source, applicant age (minor/adult). Use the personalized preparation tool for a checklist matched to your profile.
Required documents
Passport
Valid travel document
Present a valid travel document satisfying Visa Code Art. 12: (a) its validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States or, in the case of several visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States; (b) it shall contain at least two blank pages; (c) it shall have been issued within the previous 10 years. In a justified case of emergency, the three-month validity obligation in Art. 12(a) may be waived — it is not a shortened validity requirement. Applicants should not be systematically requested to present copies of stamped or visa pages of current or expired travel documents (Visa Code Handbook I, 3.1.6).
Application Forms
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
Each applicant shall submit a manually or electronically completed application form as set out in Annex I. The application form shall be signed (Visa Code Art. 10(3)(a) + Art. 11(1)).
Photograph
One photograph meeting ICAO 9303 standards
Present a photograph in accordance with ICAO Document 9303 Part 1, 6th edition (Visa Code Art. 10(3)(c) + Art. 13(4)).
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance, minimum EUR 30 000 cover
Where applicable, produce proof of adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death. Cover must be valid throughout the territory of the Member States. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000 (Art. 10(3)(g) + Art. 15(1),(3)). For applicants for a multiple-entry visa, Art. 15(2) requires proof of insurance covering the period of the first intended visit. For subsequent visits, holders of a multiple-entry visa must have insurance when travelling — the application need not prove insurance for every future visit at lodgement. Caveats from Art. 15: insurance should in principle be taken out in the country of residence (Art. 15(4)); may be presumed met for certain professional situations (Art. 15(6)); holders of diplomatic passports are exempt (Art. 15(7)).
Purpose of Journey Evidence
Evidence of the purpose of the journey
Present documents indicating the purpose of the journey (Visa Code Art. 14(1)(a)). This is an evidence category — not a mandate for any single Annex II example (hotel booking, itinerary, invitation, etc.). Consulates may waive supporting documents for bona fide applicants known for integrity and reliability (Art. 14(6)).
Accommodation Evidence
Proof of accommodation, or of sufficient means to cover accommodation
Present documents in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover accommodation (Visa Code Art. 14(1)(b)). A hotel reservation alone is a weak means of proving purpose of travel (Visa Code Handbook I, 5.2.1 A(3)); the Regulation allows proof of means to cover accommodation instead of a booking.
Financial Means Evidence
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the stay and the return
Present documents indicating sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence, or that such means can be acquired lawfully (Visa Code Art. 14(1)(c)). Acceptable proof may include recent bank statements (typically movements over at least the last three months), credit card statements, traveller's cheques, salary slips, certificate of employment, proof of sponsorship/private accommodation, or prepaid hotel reservation (Handbook 5.2.2). Amounts are set per Member State. Cash should in principle not be accepted. A bank statement specifically is not the only form of proof.
Proof of Ties / Return
Information supporting your intention to leave before the visa expires
Provide information enabling an assessment of the applicant's intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for (Visa Code Art. 14(1)(d)).
Minor Identity and Consent Documents
Application form signed by the person exercising parental authority or legal guardianship (applicants under 18)
Minors shall submit an application form signed by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority or legal guardianship (Visa Code Art. 11(1)). Where a minor does not travel with the person(s) exercising parental authority, consent of that person (or persons) may also be requested (Annex II Part C(1); Handbook: consent should be requested from applicants less than 18 irrespective of the age of majority in the country of residence). Folded into this single row because the engine cannot yet distinguish travelling-without-parent.
Conditional documents
Invitation Letter
Invitation from your host where you are staying with one
Annex II is a non-exhaustive list of supporting documents which may be requested (Art. 14(3)). For tourism / visiting family or friends, an invitation from the host if staying with one may be requested. This row stays conditional — never publish as universally required.
Sponsor Evidence
Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation on the Member State's national form
Member States may require applicants to present proof of sponsorship and/or of private accommodation by completing a form drawn up by each Member State (Visa Code Art. 14(4)). Whether the national form is required depends on the Member State of application. This evidence category covers sponsorship (where funding is sponsored or mixed) and/or private accommodation (where you stay with a private host). It is not a universal EU-wide form mandate.
Recommended documents
Family / Ties Evidence
Documents on the applicant's family situation (family ties with the host/inviting person)
Annex II Part C lists proof of family ties with the host/inviting person among documents that may be requested. Recommended only — not a universal required document.
How requirements vary
The list above reflects published program requirements. Your exact documents may change based on answers in the preparation tool. Unanswered circumstances stay pending — we do not assume employment, funding, sponsorship, or age.
Personalize my checklist →Official sources
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), consolidated text of 28 June 2024 — European Union / EUR-Lex · verified 17 Sept 2026
- Visa Code Handbook I — Commission Implementing Decision C(2024) 4319 — European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs · verified 17 Sept 2026
Always confirm the latest rules on the official source. Open Visa Global does not approve visas and does not guarantee outcomes.
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