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Sample Cover Letters for Schengen Visa Application

Applying for a Schengen visa involves various documents, one of which is the cover letter. This letter plays a crucial role as it presents your purpose for visiting, explains your itinerary, and communicates directly to the consulate. Here’s a detailed guide on how to craft a compelling cover letter for your Schengen visa application.

How to Write a Decent Cover Letter for Schengen Visa Application

Step 1: Start With Basic Formatting

Firstly, your cover letter needs to have a professional layout:

• Header : Include your contact information at the top right corner and the date. Below that, write the contact information of the embassy or consulate.
• Salutation : Always start with “Dear Sir/Madam,” or if you know the name of the consul, you can address them directly.

Step 2: Introduction

Begin your letter by stating your intent:

• Introduce yourself, mention your nationality, and briefly state your reason for applying for a Schengen visa.
• Specify the type of visa you are applying for (tourism, business, medical, etc.).

Step 3: State the Purpose of Your Visit

This part should detail why you want to visit the Schengen area:

• If it’s for tourism, highlight some attractions or events you plan to attend.
• For business, mention your business contacts and the essence of your visit.
• If it’s a medical visit, briefly state the medical reason without going into too much detail.

Step 4: Provide Your Travel Itinerary

Giving a clear itinerary offers the consulate clarity on your plans:

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• Include your arrival and departure dates.
• List the places you intend to visit, along with accommodation arrangements.
• For a multi-country visit, highlight the main destination and other countries on your itinerary.

Step 5: Explain Your Ties to Your Home Country

Consulates need to ensure that you will return to your home country after the visit:

• Mention your employment status, job title, employer details, and the length of your employment.
• If applicable, mention your family ties, property, or other significant commitments in your home country.

Step 6: Detail Your Financial Means

Prove that you can financially sustain yourself during your stay:

• State your annual income or provide evidence of savings.
• If someone else is sponsoring your trip, mention their name and your relationship with them and attach proof of sponsorship.

Step 7: Closing Statement

Reaffirm the purpose of your visit and express your hope for a positive response:

• Summarize the reasons why you should be granted a visa.
• Politely request for your application to be accepted, ensuring you sound polite and respectful.

Step 8: Attach Supporting Documents

List the documents you are attaching with your application:

• Passport copies, bank statements, travel insurance , flight itinerary, hotel bookings, invitation letters, etc., should be noted.

Step 9: Sign off Formally

Use a formal closing such as “Best regards” or “Sincerely,” followed by your full name. If you are sending a hard copy, make sure to sign above your typed name.

Additional Tips:

• Clarity and Conciseness : Keep your language clear and concise. Avoid overly complex sentences.
• Customization : Tailor your cover letter to reflect your specific situation. Avoid generic phrases that make your letter sound impersonal.
• Proofreading : Always check for grammatical errors or typos. A well-written letter makes a better impression.

Sample Cover Letter for Tourist Schengen Visa

Subject: Application for Schengen Visa for Tourism Purposes

Chennai, India March 24, 2023

Embassy of Spain 12, Prithviraj Road Chennai, India

Dear Consular Officer,

I, Priya Singh, a permanent resident of Chennai, India holding passport number P3456789, am writing to request a Schengen Visa to visit Spain for tourism purposes. My planned travel dates are from July 10, 2023, to July 25, 2023.

My visit’s primary purpose is to explore the rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty of Spain, visiting prominent locations like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. I am particularly interested in exploring the Prado Museum, experiencing a flamenco dance show, and indulging in the local cuisine.

I am currently employed at Tech Innovations Pvt. Ltd., where I work as a Project Coordinator. I’ve arranged my travel and accommodation details, ensuring I have a structured travel itinerary during my stay. My return to India will follow the completion of my journey on July 25, 2023, as per the travel plan.

Attached herewith are the supporting documents including my employment verification , hotel bookings, flight tickets, travel insurance, and bank statements as proof of my financial sufficiency.

Thank you very much for considering my application. I am looking forward to a favorable response. Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,

Priya Singh [Full address in India] [Contact Information]

Sample Cover Letter for Business Schengen Visa

Subject: Schengen Visa Application for Business Trip

Bangalore, India March 24, 2023

Embassy of Germany 45 MG Road Bangalore, India

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Rajesh Kumar, writing on behalf of my employer, Future Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., based in Bangalore, India, to request a Business Schengen Visa for myself. My passport number is A98765432.

The purpose of my visit is to attend business meetings and workshops with our business partner, Green Tech Innovations, located in Frankfurt, Germany, scheduled from April 15, 2023, to April 22, 2023. These meetings are crucial for the upcoming joint venture that we are due to sign, which will significantly benefit both companies involved.

During my stay, I will be accommodated at Hilton City Hotel in Frankfurt, and all my expenses will be borne by Future Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. as per our corporate travel policy.

Enclosed are all pertinent documents, including my itinerary, invitation letter from Green Tech Innovations, company support letter, proof of financial means, hotel reservation, and round-trip flight bookings.

I kindly request a prompt processing of my visa application. Please contact me should you require more information.

Rajesh Kumar [Full address in India] [Contact Information]

Sample Cover Letter for Medical Treatment Schengen Visa

Subject: Application for Schengen Medical Treatment Visa

Mumbai, India March 24, 2023

Consulate of Italy 30, Altamount Road Mumbai – 400026

My name is Aarti Malhotra, and I am writing to apply for a Medical Treatment Visa for Italy. I am a legal resident of Mumbai, India, and hold passport number M1234567.

Based on medical advice, I need to undergo a specialized medical procedure at the Santa Maria Hospital in Rome, Italy. The treatment is scheduled from August 10, 2023, to August 30, 2023, and is necessary due to a condition that cannot be adequately treated in India.

Enclosed herewith are my medical reports, a letter from my doctor in India, and the formal invitation from Santa Maria Hospital. Also attached are my travel arrangements, accommodation confirmation in Rome, and proof of financial means to support my medical and living expenses during my stay.

I trust that you will find everything in order. I appreciate your prompt and favorable consideration of my visa application to enable me to receive the necessary medical treatment.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Best regards,

Aarti Malhotra [Full address in India] [Contact Information]

These cover letters provide a guideline on how to structure a Schengen visa application for tourism, business, and medical reasons respectively. Each letter is adjusted to reflect specific backstories and purposes as per visa type while retaining the professionalism and detail required.

Writing a detailed and clear cover letter can significantly influence the decision on your Schengen visa application. It’s your opportunity to connect with the consulate officials, make a good first impression, and provide a structured overview of your travel plans and intentions. Follow these steps meticulously, and you enhance your chances of visa approval, leading to an enjoyable trip to the Schengen area .

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• Cover Letter for a Schengen Visa: Types, Format & Samples

Cover Letter for a Schengen Visa: Types, Format Samples & More

10 min read

Updated On Jan 22, 2024

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Table of Contents [ Show ]

What is a Schengen Visa Cover Letter?

What needs to be included in cover letter schengen visa, cover letter format for schengen visa, samples of cover letter for schengen visa, state wise schengen visa cover letter requirements, documents to support schengen cover letter, where to submit your cover letter for schengen visa application, common mistakes in schengen visa cover letters.

Unlock the gateway to 27 vibrant European destinations with a Schengen visa! Whether you're an immigrant or a traveler this visa opens doors to incredible opportunities.

Navigate the application process effortlessly by mastering the art of crafting a compelling cover letter Schengen visa. Explore the essentials in our blog for a seamless visa experience!

The Cover Letter, also known as the introduction letter for a Schengen Visa is a crucial component of your application, serving as a communication tool with the visa officers.

Addressed to the Embassy or Consulate of the specific country you plan to visit, it outlines your reasons for travel and aims to persuade the consular staff of your suitability for the visa.

Even if applying through a visa application center like VFS Global, ensure your Cover Letter is directed to the relevant Embassy or Consulate.

In your Schengen Visa application cover letter, be sure to incorporate the following details regarding your trip:

• Clearly articulate the purpose motivating your visit to a Schengen country.
• Specify the exact dates for your intended entry and departure.
• Outline a well-structured itinerary detailing your planned activities throughout the Schengen area.
• Indicate your accommodation arrangements upon entering the Schengen region.
• List all the countries included in your travel plans.
• Provide information about your current employment status.
• If any mandatory documents are missing from your submission, explain their absence concisely

Drafting a cover letter is integral to the Schengen visa application process. This letter should succinctly outline your travel plans, the purpose of your visit, and your financial support strategy. Below is a brief Schengen visa cover letter template or format for your guidance

• Start with a formal salutation.
• Provide your name, address, contact details, and nationality.
• Clearly state your intention to apply for a Schengen visa.
• Introduce yourself briefly, mentioning your nationality and current residence.
• Specify the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, family visit, etc.).
• Mention the planned dates of your stay in the Schengen area.
• Outline your travel plans, including the countries you plan to visit and the duration of your stay in each.
• Explain your financial plan for supporting yourself during the visit.
• Confirm personal funding and attach supporting financial documents.
• List the attached documents supporting your application, such as flight itinerary, hotel reservations, travel insurance, etc.
• Express gratitude and formally request the approval of your Schengen visa application.
• Offer cooperation and assure compliance with regulations.
• End the letter with a formal closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Kind regards."

Let us first examine the supplied generic Schengen visa cover letter sample to acquaint yourself with the correct writing tone, format, structure, and other essential elements.

Business Schengen Visa Cover Letter Sample

When applying for a Schengen Business Visa, the responsibility of composing the Cover Letter lies with your employer. The letter must be crafted on the official letterhead of the company.

Sample Cover Letter for Schengen Visa Tourist

The Cover Letter for a Schengen Tourist Visa typically includes details about your travel plans, purpose of visit, and financial ability. It serves as a concise introduction to support your visa application.

Sample Cover Letter for Schengen Medical Treatment Visa

For a Schengen Medical Treatment Visa, your doctor must prepare the Cover Letter, including

• Detailed Diagnosis: Specify the medical condition requiring treatment in a Schengen country.
• Medical History: Provide a concise medical history for context.
• Treatment Details: Clearly state the nature and expected duration of the proposed treatment.

This letter is vital for the visa application, offering insights into the medical necessity and treatment plan.

Now that you are familiarised with the Sample cover letters for Schengen Visa, before crafting your cover letter, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the Schengen country you plan to visit. Here are the cover letter guidelines for key Schengen member states:

• Cover Letter for Visa Application Italy
• Highlight your ties to your home country, such as family, employment, and studies.
• Clearly state the purpose of your visit, outlining planned activities and dates.
• Provide proof of funds to cover your travel expenses.
• Cover Letter for Visa Application Austria
• Specify the purpose of your visit, detailing the places and activities you'll engage in.
• If applying for a multiple-entry visa, provide a valid reason.
• Assure your return to your home country after the visa period.
• Cover Letter for Visa Application France
• Present a clear itinerary with destinations, travel dates, and the purpose of your visit.
• Indicate whether you have travel insurance for unforeseen medical expenses.
• Align your visit with academic, professional, or personal goals.
• Cover Letter for Visa Application Germany
• In the introduction, concisely explain the purpose of your travel (tourism, family visits, or business).
• Provide evidence of funds to cover expenses like food, accommodation, and transportation.
• List all intended destinations you plan to visit.
• Cover Letter for Visa Application Finland
• Detail arrangements for accommodation, food, and travel.
• Describe your planned activities, trips, events, meetings during your stay.
• Specify if you are seeking a multiple-entry visa and provide reasons.
• Cover Letter for Visa Application Spain
• Affirm that you have the financial means to support yourself during your stay.
• Provide a comprehensive overview of your travel plans.
• Include details about your accommodation arrangements, such as hotel reservations.

When applying for a Schengen Visa, ensure you submit the following documents alongside your Cover Letter:

• Completed Schengen Visa Application Letter/Form
• Valid passport with at least six months of validity
• Passport-size photos adhering to Schengen visa photo guidelines
• Flight itinerary or reservations
• Schengen Visa Travel Health Insurance
• Proof of accommodation within a Schengen country
• No Objection Certificate from your employer/school
• Letter of Invitation from a relative or company in the destination country, as per the purpose of travel
• Proof of paid Schengen Visa fees
• Bank Statements covering the last six months

To submit your Schengen Visa cover letter, consider the following options based on your situation and location:

• The Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country you intend to visit.
• The Embassy/Consulate of another Schengen country, if the destination lacks diplomatic representation in your area.
• A designated visa application agency, outsourced by the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country you plan to visit.
• You can even say you can submit and we can help you prepare at a regulated immigration consultant like getgis

Remember, if you're visiting multiple countries, apply at the Embassy/Consulate of the first country on your itinerary.

When crafting a Schengen Visa cover letter, it is crucial to be mindful and avoid pitfalls or errors. These include:

• Illogical Explanations

Provide logical reasons for your trip and intentions to return home. Be specific and avoid vague statements.

• Repetition of Document Information

Your cover letter should reveal unique details not found in other documents. Tell a story that complements, not duplicates, your reservations.

• Spelling and Grammar Errors

While minor mistakes are acceptable, excessive errors may convey a lack of respect for the application process. Pay attention to spelling, punctuation, and layout.

• Disorganized Document List

Present a well-organized list of documents in order of priority. Start with mandatory items, followed by those relevant to your trip and personal situation.

• Misalignment with Supporting Documents

Ensure that the details and reasons mentioned in your cover letter align with the information in other submitted documents. Any contradiction may lead to rejection.

Explore European Beauty and Opportunities: Cover Letter for a Schengen Visa

We hope the blog on the Schengen visa cover letter has addressed your uncertainties and inquiries, boosting your confidence in the application process. If you have additional questions or topics you'd like us to cover, feel free to reach out to GetGIS immigration experts.

Schedule a Free Consultation Now

Quick Reads:

• How Can I Avoid Schengen Visa Rejection? (Expert Tips)
• A Comprehensive Guide to Germany Visa Requirements in 2023-24
• Cost of Studying in Germany: All You Need to Know
• Complete Guide on Sweden Visa Types & Requirements
• Understanding The Austria Tourist Visa Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cover letter required for a Schengen visa?

Why are Schengen visas rejected?

Is a cover letter necessary in Europe?

How to create an effective cover letter?

How to avoid Schengen visa refusal?

Lakshmi Lavanya Pagallu

Sr. Content Marketing Specialist

Lakshmi Lavanya Pagallu has been working as Content Marketing Specialist with GetGIS since 2022 and has been extensively working to help candidates’ career transitions. Her experience spans across multiple industries in the fields of Sales and Marketing. Her core competencies include communication and research, which enable her to create and deliver in-depth guides as a Subject Matter Expert

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Schengen Visa Application Cover Letter – Sample Letter for Schengen Tourist Visa

The cover letter you must submit for your Schengen Visa application is an important document that states the reason you are traveling to a certain Schengen country. In your Schengen Visa Application Cover Letter, you must address the Embassy or Consulate of the destination country you plan to visit, as your main goal is to persuade the Consular staff that you are a suitable candidate for receiving the Schengen visa.

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Schengen Tourist Visa?

Your Schengen tourist visa application cover letter should include the information listed below:

• Your full name.
• Your date of birth.
• Your nationality.
• Your passport details (passport number, issue date, and expiry date).
• Your current address.
• Your email address.
• Your phone number.
• The date when you are writing the letter.
• The name of the embassy or consulate where you are applying for the Schengen visa.
• The embassy or consulate’s address.
• The intention of traveling with a Schengen Tourist Visa (e.g., tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends or family, attending an event, etc.).
• The entry and exit dates of your trip.
• A detailed itinerary of your trip, including the Schengen countries you plan to visit during your trip, information about your planned accommodations, flights, and any tours or activities you have booked.
• Your financial capacity to cover your trip expenses.

Tourist Visa Application Cover Letter Sample

Cover letter and visa or immigration application: what you need to know

• Published on 17/10/2023
• Modification: 10/17/2023
• Add a comment

When applying for a visa or immigration status, a cover letter is used to explain your intentions and qualifications in a structured and focused way. It can take a variety of forms, including letters of explanation the reasons for visit and submission letters each tailored to specific aspects of the request. The letter must be consistent with the information provided in the application forms, such as the purpose of the trip, dates and availability of funds. Immigration officers use these letters to assess your application thoroughly. There are recommended practices for writing an effective letter, such as checking spelling and grammar, highlighting key points and maintaining a flowing structure. In addition, a submission letter written by an accredited professional, which includes references to relevant case law, can greatly improve the chances of the application being approved.

The added value of a well-written Cover Letter in the visa or immigration application process

Visit letter of motivation often overlooked in the visa or immigration application process, can actually be a decisive factor in the success of your application. A well-written cover letter doesn't just reiterate information already provided in forms and supporting documents; it gives that information a face and a voice, providing context and connecting the dots between your past, present and future intentions.

A persuasive tool

Firstly, a cover letter acts as a persuasive tool. It gives you the opportunity to present a coherent argument about why you should qualify for the visa or status you're applying for. You can explain things that aren't immediately obvious on standardized forms, such as the reasons behind certain career or life decisions that may have an impact on your application.

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Credibility and consistency

Secondly, the letter adds credibility and consistency to your file. Immigration officers look for clues to assess your reliability and integrity. A polished, well-organized and truthful cover letter enhances your credibility and can balance out weaker aspects of your application.

Enhance your profile

Third, the cover letter allows you to expand on your profile . While official forms and documents offer a "black and white" view of your situation, the cover letter provides the nuances, colors and context that make your profile unique. This is particularly useful in complex cases where further explanation is required, such as minor criminal records, gaps in employment or education, or previously refused visas.

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Ability to bypass obstacles

Fourthly, a well-informed letter can help you anticipate and circumvent potential obstacles to the approval of your application. For example, if you've already had a visa refused, a cover letter is the ideal place to explain what has changed since then and why that decision should be re-evaluated.

What is a cover letter in the context of an immigration or visa application?

A covering letter, also known as a cover letter or submission letter in some cases, is a document that complements your visa or immigration application. It provides a broader context to the information provided in the official forms, and offers an opportunity to present yourself in a more personal way to the relevant authorities. This letter can be an opportunity to detail specific aspects of your situation that are not covered in the standard forms.

Depending on the country and the type of visa, this letter can take several names:

• Cover Letter Used mainly in the United States, this term refers to a letter that generally accompanies any type of application, whether for a student, work or tourist visa.
• Letter of Explanation : Frequently used in Canada, this type of letter explains the reasons and circumstances surrounding your application, and is often required for temporary residence visas, study permits or work permits.
• Personal Statement or Cover Letter : In the UK, we often refer to a "Personal Statement" for student visas and a "Cover Letter" for work visas.
• Statement of Purpose This term is mainly used in Australia for student or skilled worker visas.
• Letter of Motivation In the Schengen area, this letter is generally required for short-stay, student or work visas.
• Carta de Motivação In Portugal, this is the Portuguese version of the cover letter, often required for work and residence visas.
• Erklärungsschreiben : In Germany, this letter is used to explain the reasons behind a visa application, whether for a work, student or tourist visa.
• Carta de Intención Used in Spanish-speaking countries, this term is similar to the cover letter and generally accompanies applications for student or work visas.
• Lettera di Motivazione In Italy, this letter is generally required for student and work visa applications.
• Intensjonsbrev In Norway, this letter usually accompanies applications for work or residence visas.
• Motivációs levél In Hungary, this letter is commonly used for student visa applications.
• Motivaciono Pismo In Balkan countries such as Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia, this type of letter often accompanies applications for student or work visas.
• Kirjeen Selitys In Finland, this term is used for letters explaining the reasons for applying for a visa or residence permit.
• Dinləmə Məktubu In Azerbaijan, this type of letter is usually required for student or work visa applications.
• प्रयोजन पत्र (Prayojan Patra): In India, this letter is often used for student or business visas.
• 履歴書付きカバーレター (Rirekisho-tsuki kabāretā) : In Japan, this expression refers to a cover letter that is attached to a CV for work visa applications.

List of countries, official letter names and application contexts

What's the difference between a cover letter and a letter of intent?

The ambiguity between cover letter and letter of intent is quite common, especially when it comes to immigration formalities or visa applications. So what's the fundamental difference between the two?

• Objective :
• Letter of motivation The purpose of the application is to complete a visa or immigration application by explaining why the applicant is the best choice for visa approval. It is generally more focused on "selling" yourself, your skills and your intentions.
• Letter of intent This letter is most often used in an academic or professional context. It describes your intention to embark on a certain course of action, such as pursuing a specific program of study or accepting a job offer.
• Recipient :
• Letter of motivation It is usually addressed to the immigration authorities or consulate of the country where you are applying for a visa.
• Letter of intent : It is often addressed to an academic institution, employer or other organization, rather than to the immigration authorities.
• Letter of motivation It generally covers your qualifications, experience, future plans in the host country, and how you plan to comply with immigration rules and regulations.
• Letter of intent : It can cover similar topics but in a different context, for example, why you're interested in a specific academic program and how you plan to contribute to it.
• Letter of motivation It is specific to the visa or immigration application.
• Letter of intent It's more versatile and can be used in a variety of scenarios, including, but not limited to, school admissions, job offers, or business partnerships.
• Letter of motivation She often focuses on practical details such as financial arrangements, travel dates, and other elements that could influence the visa decision.
• Letter of intent It's often broader in scope, and can even be a little more conceptual or philosophical in its approach, focusing on issues such as compatibility of values or long-term goals.

Although both types of letter share certain similarities, their purpose, target audience and content can differ significantly. That's why it's important to understand the requirements of each situation when choosing the right type of letter to write.

Difference between the cover letter and the letter of appeal against a visa refusal

The cover letter and the letter of appeal against a visa refusal are two distinct tools in the immigration process. While the former accompanies the initial visa application, highlighting the applicant's qualities and intentions, the latter is used after a refusal to contest the decision taken. Each is addressed to a specific audience and requires a different approach to writing. The choice of tone and content strongly depends on the purpose of the letter. To better understand these nuances, I invite you to read my other article on this subject: Appeal against Schengen visa refusal . And if you're wondering what are the most common causes of Schengen visa refusals and how to avoid them, don't miss my article : What are the reasons for Schengen visa refusal and how can they be avoided? .

Here are some of the differences between these two types of letter:

• Letter of motivation Visa application form: Its main purpose is to accompany an initial visa application. It aims to provide additional information about the applicant, including the reasons why he or she wishes to enter the country, and why the application should be approved.
• Letter of appeal against a refusal of Visa: This letter is written after a visa application has been refused. Its purpose is to contest the decision, providing additional explanations and evidence that may not have been taken into account initially.
• Letter of motivation : Generally addressed to the immigration authorities or consulate.
• Letter of Appeal against a Visa Refusal Directly to the authority that refused the application, which may be a visa office, consulate or other immigration authority.
• Letter of motivation The application is submitted at the same time as the initial visa application.
• Letter of Appeal against a Visa Refusal : It is submitted after receiving notification of refusal.
• Letter of motivation The interview: Focuses on the applicant's qualifications, reasons for travel and future plans. It may also cover such points as the applicant's financial means.
• Letter of Appeal against a Visa Refusal Focus on areas of ambiguity or error in the initial decision process. It presents arguments and evidence to challenge the refusal, such as additional documents or clarifications.
• Letter of motivation More optimistic, tries to "sell" the candidate as a good choice for visa approval.
• Letter of Appeal against a Visa Refusal More formal and argumentative, as it is used to challenge an official decision.

Differences between a submission letter and a cover letter

Like a cover letter, a submission letter plays a crucial role in the visa or immigration application process. However, there are some notable differences between the two. Here are a few key points to distinguish them:

• Letter of motivation It is usually written by the applicant himself.
• Submission Letter It is often drafted by a certified professional or a consulting firm. immigration .
• Letter of motivation The applicant may not be familiar with the laws of the case or legal details.
• Submission Letter The professional who drafts it knows the laws of specific cases that could be applied to increase the chances of the application being approved.
• Letter of motivation : Often required for first-time visa applications.
• Submission Letter : Particularly useful in the event of a previous visa refusal or in complex situations requiring a legal explanation.
• Letter of motivation Can be considered as a complement to the file.
• Submission Letter : Often has a more significant impact due to its specialized content, especially if it is written by a competent professional.
• Letter of motivation Focus on the applicant's profile and intentions.
• Submission Letter Highlights legal aspects, case law and precedents that may support the application.

While a cover letter offers an overview of your situation and intentions, a submission letter goes further, incorporating legal aspects and case laws to strengthen your application. It's often most effective when written by a professional familiar with the complexities of the immigration system.

Elements to include in your cover letter (in general)

It is essential to organize your cover letter logically and coherently to make it easier for the immigration officer to read and understand. A well-structured and complete cover letter is more likely to leave a positive impression and can increase your chances of obtaining a visa. Here are the key elements to include:

Introduction

This is where you should briefly introduce yourself and indicate the type of visa or immigration status you are applying for. Your introduction should be concise and to the point, setting the scene for the information that follows.

Purpose of visit

In this section, you'll explain why you want to enter the country. Whether it's for study, work or a family visit, it's important to be as specific as possible.

Financial fund

Provide details on how you plan to finance your stay . This can include information on savings, scholarships or financial support from a sponsor. Be sure to provide evidence to back up your claims, such as bank statements or letters of support.

Travel dates

Clearly indicate your planned travel dates. This includes the date on which you plan to enter and leave the country. Make sure these dates are consistent with the information provided in your application forms.

Suitability for application forms

This is an often overlooked but important aspect. Make sure that all the information in your cover letter is consistent with that provided in the application forms. Any inconsistencies can be a red flag for immigration officers.

Especially in the case of study permit applications, you may need to include information about your academic or professional background. Transcripts, letters of recommendation or certificates may be useful here.

Other supporting evidence

Depending on your case, it may be a good idea to include other elements that strengthen your application. This could be job prospects in your home country after your return, family ties, or medical reasons for the visit.

End your letter by summarizing the key points and expressing why you should be considered for the visa. You may also want to include a sentence or two thanking the immigration officer for his or her time and attention.

A well-written cover letter can really set your application apart from those of other applicants. Take the time to organize it carefully, proofread it and make adjustments where necessary. It could well be the most worthwhile investment in your visa application process.

Tips for writing a cover letter

The quality of your cover letter can be a decisive factor in obtaining a visa or immigration status. So how can you maximize your chances of success? Here are a few tips on how to write a good cover letter:

• Don't write a long essay. Your letter should be detailed enough to convey the essential information, but short enough to be easily read.
• Start with a brief introduction, followed by the purpose of your trip and related details. End with a solid conclusion. The aim is to guide the reader through your argument in a fluid and logical way.
• Spelling and grammatical errors can give the impression of carelessness. Use a spell-checker, but don't rely on it completely. Reread your letter several times and, if possible, have someone else read it for you.
• Use formatting techniques such as bolding or underlining to highlight the most important information. This makes it easier for the reviewer to get your message across.
• Use formal and courteous language. Avoid jargon and abbreviations that may not be understood by the examiner.
• If you mention facts that support your application, such as professional qualifications or employment opportunities in your home country, consider attaching supporting documents.
• Make sure that all the information in the letter matches that on your application forms to avoid any confusion or suspicion.
• Although it may be tempting to use a template, a personalized letter is always more effective. Adapt your letter to the type of visa you are applying for and the specific requirements of the country concerned.
• End the letter by encouraging the reviewer to contact you for further information and expressing your gratitude for their time and consideration.

Common mistakes to avoid

A cover letter for a visa application is a delicate document that requires special attention. A single mistake can be detrimental and considerably reduce your chances of obtaining a visa. Here's a list of common mistakes you should absolutely avoid:

Inaccurate or contradictory information

Any inconsistencies between the information provided in the cover letter and that in the application forms or other documents may cast doubt on the credibility of your application. Make sure the details are consistent and accurate.

Grammatical and spelling errors

Poor grammar or spelling mistakes can not only make your letter difficult to understand, but also project a careless image on your part.

Excessive length

A letter that's too long can lose the reader's attention. Try to keep it to one page, or even two if you have a lot of relevant information to include.

Important omissions

Don't forget to include crucial information such as your financial background, travel dates and the purpose of your visit. Failure to do so may result in rejection of your application.

Inappropriate tone

Keep your tone professional and respectful throughout the letter. Avoid jargon or overly informal language, as this could be perceived as a lack of seriousness.

Neglecting supporting documents

If you mention sources of financing, qualifications or other important aspects, be sure to provide the appropriate supporting documents to back up your statements.

Repetition and redundancy

Avoid repeating the same points or using redundant language. Every sentence should add something new and useful to your application.

Lack of structure

A poorly structured cover letter can be difficult to follow and understand. Make sure you follow a clear outline, using subheadings and bulleted lists to improve readability.

No conclusion

Don't end your letter abruptly. A concise but effective conclusion summarizing your strengths and thanking the reader can leave a positive impression.

Frequently asked questions

Should i write my letter in english.

This depends on the country you are applying to. If English is the official language, it's best to write the letter in English.

Should the letter be handwritten or typed?

Most countries prefer a typed letter for greater clarity and professionalism.

How long should my letter be?

In general, aim for one to two pages. Too long might mean you can't concentrate on the important points.

Should I talk about my intention to return to my country of origin?

It depends on the type of visa or immigration application. If it's a time-limited visa, clearly stating your intention to return can reassure immigration officials.

Do I have to give my address and that of the recipient?

Yes, this is part of the standard formalities of an official letter.

Do I have to sign the letter?

Yes, a handwritten signature is often required to authenticate the letter.

Can I use an online template?

It's okay to use a template, but be sure to personalize the letter to suit your situation.

Can I write the letter myself or do I need to call in a professional?

It's perfectly possible to write the letter yourself, but if your situation is complex, professional advice may be beneficial.

Do I need to have my supporting documents translated?

Yes, if these documents are not in the language of the country where you are applying, a certified translation is often required.

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SAMPLE COVER LETTERS for VISA APPLICATION: Korea, Schengen, Australia

Employment certificate, financial documents, and income tax return (ITR) are the staples of most visa applications. But there is one document that is usually overlooked — the cover letter.

A cover letter isn’t always a requirement when applying for a visa. However, it’s something that we often recommend to add to your pile of documents, especially if there is no interview and you have some explaining to do.

You see, sometimes, things don’t always fit the mold perfectly. There are cases wherein you can’t provide the exact document needed, but you have a very good alternative. Or maybe you just can’t provide something at all, but you have a perfectly valid reason. Or perhaps you’re traveling with a group or for a special purpose. These instances could probably benefit from a well-crafted explanation to give the visa officer a clearer picture of your situation.

When I apply for a visa, I usually submit a cover letter regardless of whether or not it’s one of the requirements. I always want to give a summary of my application and clarify some aspects that may be prone to misinterpretation.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

What should be in a cover letter?

For me, a good cover letter must be able to provide the following:

• A short introduction about yourself.
• Your travel dates and the purpose of your trip
• If traveling with a group: your companions and your relationship with them
• If sponsored: your sponsor’s name, your relationship with them, and the reason why they are willing to sponsor you
• If you’re missing some requirements: the reason why you won’t be able to provide them and the alternatives you are submitting instead
• If applying for a double entry or multiple entry visa: the reason why you need to be allowed more than one entry
• A quick rundown of the destinations you will be visiting
• A quick summary of your travel history (if any), highlighting that you have NEVER violated visa rules in the past
• A promise to return to your home country in time

Looks like a lot, huh? But here’s the thing: According to a couple of friends who used to work as visa officers at strict embassies, they usually had very little time to assess each application. Hence, if you’re going to make a cover letter, go straight to the point . One page should be enough. The key is being concise — finding the balance between giving enough information and keeping it short and sweet.

Here are some samples. I intentionally used complicated situations to give you an idea how I usually explain them. If they don’t apply to you, feel free to modify these to match your case. Please use this only as a model for your own cover letter. Please do not copy-paste the whole thing without adjustments.

Sample Cover Letter for Australian Visa (Online Application)

✅ DOWNLOAD THIS!

Sample Cover Letter for Schengen Visa

✅ DOWNLOAD THIS HERE!

Sample Cover Letter for Korean Visa

2020 • 1 • 7

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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where to attach cover letter for Australia Visa application?

In my case, I uploaded it under Evidence of Planned Tourism Activities > Others.

Hello, I will be applying for a Japan visa and will submit a cover letter din. I have a few questions:

• If I am traveling with friends pero we will be submitting individual applications, do I need to include that in the cover letter na I am with them on this trip?
• Do you need to submit all your savings account o kahit isa nalang?
• Plan ko rin sana (dahil nabasa ko sa ibang posts nyo hehe) na payroll and savings account ipasa, pero kung nililipat ko rin naman yung laman ng payroll sa savings, need ko pa ba isubmit yung payroll account?
• Sa ibang Japan visa application na napanuod ko, nagsusubmit sila ng bank certificate at bank statement. Do I need to do that?
• If yes, need ko ba explain sa cover letter ko na tinatransfer ko sa digital bank muna yung pera saka ko tinatransfer sa savings account? (kasi baka makita, if may bank statement, na nanggaling sa ganitong account yung pumasok na pera)

sorry habang nagtatype ako nadadagdagan questions ko haha. sana masagot parin. Thank you sa travel guides. Super helpful. :)

This is for Japan ha.

1. You may indicate your companions. Ako I prefer na imention sila to show na travel with friends talaga.

2. OK lang kahit isa lang kung sa tingin mo strong enough ung account na yun. Pwede ring madami if feeling mo di enough ung isa lang.

3. Naeempty ba ung payroll account when u transfer?

4. Bank cert lang naman ang need ng Japan so kahit walang statement, ok lang.

5. If hindi ka magsusubmit ng statement, di na need iexplain kasi hindi lalabas. :)

I plan to visit Canada and have started my visa application. I selected visit friend for purpose instead of tourism as I would like to be fully honest with my application. My very purpose is to be with my boyfriend and meet his family and friends. Touring comes as a bonus. Would it be fine to add captions or narrations on the pdf document together with our pictures as proof? I also have our hotel and tour bookings and his boarding passes on the two times that he has visited me here in PH. This is the Proof of Relationship section on the application visa.

Hello. Any recommendations for Schengen visa assistance agencies?

Try Gazelle Travel and Tours around Ortigas or Constellation Travel in Makati.

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Get Your Visa

Covering Letter For Visa: What it is and how you can make one

A cover letter for visa application or a personal covering letter for visa is an important document wherein the traveller states their purpose for travel along with other relevant details. The cover letter could be for business visa application or a covering letter for tourist visa; in any case, this is written to the Embassy to ensure that you have permission to enter the member state or states.

Your cover letter for visa application is a means of communication between you and the Embassy making it necessary for your covering letter for visa to be carefully written.

Essential components of a covering letter for visa

• Your personal covering letter for visa application must state your purpose for travel.
• The cover letter for visa application must give a clear outline of how you intend to fund your travel and stay. In the case of a sponsored travel, you must name your relationship to the sponsor and their cause for sponsoring you. 
• Your covering letter for visa must contain a condensation of your itinerary, further labelling why you have applied at specific Embassy. 
• The duration of stay and intention to return to the home country must be specified as well. 
• If due to any challenge, you are unable to provide any of the above-mentioned details, you are expected to provide a written reason.

Also Read:  How to get your Schengen visa from India?

It is essential to understand whether you are writing a covering letter for tourist visa or a cover letter for business visa application, the content must be to the point. This is because this is the only method for you to establish any communication with the Embassy officials.

How do you write a visa cover letter?

To provide you with some ease, a sample cover letter for visa application has been provided. It is a sample Schengen visa application form filled, and it gives an idea about how your covering letter for visa is to be formatted and written. While the covering letter for visa is often not mentioned in the list of required documents, it is essential and must be written under all circumstances.

Remember: There is no room for error. As the acceptance of your visa application depends on details you provide in your covering letter.

Suggested Read:  10 Amazing Countries That Offer Visa On Arrival For Indians

Sample cover letter for visa application

September 27, 2019

2nd & 3rd floor, Cash Pharmacy Building Corner St Marks, 

Residency Rd, 

Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025

Subject: Name XXXXXXX, Indian Passport No: XXXXXX, Schengen Visa for Tourist Travel

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to apply for a Schengen visa as I wish to travel to Germany from December 14, 2019, to December 28, 2019.

The primary purpose of my travel is to visit Germany and look around the country. I wish to learn about German culture and way of life while also gaining familiarity with the neighbouring country of Switzerland. During my stay, I wish to relax and sightsee as much as the time permits me to.

I am employed at *employer name* in *employer address* since XXXX, currently in the position of XXXX. This vacation has been approved by my employer for the period mentioned above. 

Please find the following documents to support my visa application:

•  Visa application form, duly dated and signed with attached passport-size pictures
• Passport, (with previous travel experience)
• Travel Insurance
• E-ticket reservation for my flight via LH Bangalore – Frankfurt – Zurich – Bangalore [December 14 2019 – December 28, 2019] 
• Hotel reservations for my stays in Germany and Switzerland
• Employment & leave certificates showing approved leaves as well as the date I am expected to return to work
• ITR, Payslips, and Savings Account as proof of my income
• Do remember to add medical reports in relevance to any existing conditions and details about the health insurance valid in [name of country]

Planned Itinerary:

• December 14, 2019 – Flight from Bangalore to Frankfurt via *flight/airline name*
• December 16, 2019 – Travel from Frankfurt to Berlin and stay at XXX
• December 19, 2019 – Travel from Berlin to Dusseldorf and stay at XXX
• December 20, 2019 – Travel from Dusseldorf to Geneva and stay at XXX
• December 23, 2019 – Travel from Geneva to Bern and stay at XXX
• December 26, 2019 – Travel from Bern to Zurich and stay at XXX
• December 28, 2019 – Flight back to Zurich from Frankfurt via *Flight/airline name*

I hope that you will find everything in order. For any clarifications, do contact me. 

Thanking you in advance for a favourable reply to my application.

Your Complete Name

Your Address, India

Personal covering letter for visa

It is to be noted that, your personal covering letter for visa application must include the cause for travel in the subject (e.g: Business, Medical, Tourist, etc.) This will make your covering letter for visa appear to the point and concise. If you are traveling for medical purposes , you will be required to give the following documents: 

• A specific diagnosis must be shown. This diagnosis must be approved by a licensed healthcare provider. 
• The provider must also be able to give a specific duration and length of treatment. Lifelong treatments and indefinite periods will not be accepted. 
• This letter must be written by the provider to vouch for the patient and their contact details must be given as well for the clarification of any doubts.

Those travelling for business purposes must, in the same manner, provide a cover letter for business visa application written by their employer. The employer must give the cause for travel and must state the duration of travel as well. They too will be needed to provide their contact details for the clarification of any doubts. You need not worry about this procedure. It is a formality set to establish communication among the passenger. 

Note: As most Embassies operate digitally, it is near impossible to reach them personally. This makes the approval of the visa application dependent on the documents you provide.

To make this process faster, the covering letter for visa is provided. It ensures that your reason for travel is communicated to the officers without any hinderance, therefore it needs to be written convincingly.

All you need to be cautious of when writing your covering letter for visa is, be aware of the cause and gather the required approval and documents. As long as appropriate material is provided along with the cover letter, your application is unlikely to face any challenge.

If you can’t provide a complete itinerary, try to provide a rough idea about the places you intend to visit over your stay in the country. It might sound like a task, but it just makes your life simpler as you will enter the country with a plan in the case of tourism. When visiting for any other purpose, there will not be much room for adjustment and change in your plans, therefore the covering letter for visa will come with a structured itinerary.

However, do ensure that you format the letter correctly. The first paragraph after the subject must contain the details about you and your purpose for travel. The second paragraph is formatted in bullet points to provide an itinerary with the smaller details about your travel. Just like any letter is written, it must be formal and should be checked thoroughly for the minute parts.

We hope this article summed a covering letter for visa and visa applications for you. As you must have understood by now, it is not very complicated and is in fact quite simple. You need to ensure that you have the additional necessities attached when you send it. 

So, write a convincing covering letter for visa with a summary of your travel and be free of concerns about the acceptance of your application. Just ensure that you know the address of the Embassy before you send it in. That should summarize covering letters for visa applications for you.

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Home > Blog > Guides > Schengen Visa Cover Letter

Schengen Visa Cover Letter

on 22 Nov, 2021

Guide To The Cover Letter For Your Schengen Visa Application

What is a schengen visa application cover letter.

A Schengen Visa Cover Letter (or Covering Letter) is a document written by you and addressed to the Schengen Embassy/Consulate along with the other documents you are required to submit. 

The letter should provide additional information concerning the purpose of your trip and your intentions to return to your country of residence. 

The letter acts as a personal introduction as it shows to the Embassy/Consulate officers a brief summary of your travel background (e.g., travel dates, employment background, etc.). 

In other words, your cover letter is a summary of your Visa application . 

Your Covering Letter For Schengen Visa Is The First Direct Contact Between You And The Embassy

The cover letter represents a way of communication between you and the embassy officer, in which you are explaining your reasons for your trip and why you should be accepted. 

Please note that some Embassies/Consulates have chosen to outsource the Visa application process meaning that you have to submit your application through an outsourcing company such as VFS Global. 

In this case, your cover letter is your only chance to communicate with the Embassy/Consulate officers and explain your details and the reason why you believe they should grant you a Visa as well as your intentions to only travel and not to overstay your Visa, as they will not be able to see you face-to-face.

This letter is not a mandatory requirement meaning that the applications that do not include it will not necessarily be rejected or delayed. 

However, we strongly recommend and urge you to submit it as it does more than make a good impression on the Embassy/Consulate officers and speed up your Visa application process – Your cover letter can significantly increase your chances of success because it summarises every item you have provided. 

You should submit a Visa application cover letter even if you have been invited by a partner company to the Schengen Region and you are applying for a Business Visa .

The Importance Of The Schengen Visa Cover Letter

The cover letter is an important document as it gives you the chance to introduce yourself and make your travel purpose clear. 

The letter is important for your application because:

● It gives you the opportunity to provide information that your other documents cannot provide.

Most of the documents that you must submit are official documents that cannot clearly highlight your travel background. 

In other words, your covering letter is the only document that can actually tell a story. 

Telling a story can be a powerful communication tool because the Embassy/Consulate officers can understand who you actually are and why you should get a Visa. 

● It helps the Visa officers save time and therefore speed up your application process.

Embassies/Consulates receive hundreds of applications weekly. 

Sometimes, those responsible for processing them do not have time and patience to figure out the purpose of the journey and the intentions to return to the country of residence by analysing all of the documents of each single Visa applicant. 

This does not mean that they do not check your documents carefully but they typically do it to determine if they show consistency. Therefore, this letter can simply make your application process easier for them.  

How To Get A Schengen Visa Cover Letter

Getting most of your Visa application documents depends on bureaucracy/laws in your country of residence/other people that must write and sign your documents. 

The cover letter is the only document that you must write and sign by yourself (together with the Visa Application Form and your day-to-day travel itinerary ).

Once you have gathered all of your documents, you can write the letter on your computer. 

We recommend you write it after you gather the rest of your documents because the letter should include a list of the documents that you are submitting for your application. 

Important: If you are not familiar with this type of letter, you can download one of our templates (please select the one that is the most relevant for your situation) and fill it out following our suggestions. Please contact us for further details.   

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Writing A Schengen Visa Cover Letter

Even though the cover letter should not be very long and must contain only key information about you as an applicant, there are several mistakes that you should avoid making. 

Also, do not forget that the cover letter does not have to be too long and the information on it must match the information on your other documents .  

Not all the below errors can lead to the rejection of your application but your chances of approval may decrease. 

Therefore, we strongly recommend you double-check your covering letter before submitting it so that you can be sure it does not contain one of the following mistakes:

• Not using logical arguments to explain the purpose of your trip and your intentions to return to your country of residence

Logical reasoning is a powerful tool not only for your covering letter but also during the interview with the Embassy/Consulate officers. 

Make sure you know how to explain the reason as to why you travel to the Schengen Region and your intentions to return to your country of residence. 

For example, “ I want to visit France because I like it ” or “ I want to visit France because it is a nice country ” are not logical reasons as to why you want to visit France (or another Schengen country). 

You should be more specific. For example: “ I want to visit France because I’ve been fascinated by French culture ever since I was a child ”. 

The same rule applies to the explanation of your intentions to return to your country of residence. Writing “ I will return to my country of residence because I cannot stay in the Schengen Region ” is not a logical reason as to why you will not overstay your Visa. 

You can write instead: “ I will return to my country on August 15 because my employer did not allow me to take more than 3 weeks off ” or “ I will return on September 20 because I must attend a vocational training course upon the request of my employer .”

• Providing the same information that is already outlined by your other documents

One of the purposes of your covering letter is to outline details about your trip that are not indicated by your other documents. 

For example, in case of a tourist Visa application you should not write: “ I will be travelling to France between October 20, 2020, and November 17, 2020, and I will stay at Hotel Lafayette in 23 Rue des Messageries, Paris .” 

Of course, this information is important because it shows relevant details about your trip but the Embassy/Consulate officers can easily understand your trip details by checking your flight and hotel reservations. 

As we mentioned above, you should try to tell a story in your covering letter (even though you have to maintain a professional tone). 

For example, you can write: “ I will be travelling to France between October 20, 2020, and November 17, 2020. I have chosen to spend almost one month in France as I strongly believe that I need time to visit the most important tourist attractions and get to know the French culture. I will stay at Hotel Lafayette in 23 Rue des Messageries because the hotel is located within walking distance of the most important places of interest in Paris.”   

• Submitting a cover letter that contains spelling mistakes

Not all applicants have an excellent command of English, and the Embassy/Consulate officers won’t judge you if you make some grammar mistakes (especially because it is highly likely that English is not their native language).  

But a covering letter that contains too many spelling mistakes and does not follow some specific layout rules (the way that words are set up on the page) will make the Embassy/Consulate officers believe that you do not have a sense of consideration for the event and are not respecting the application process (which is your Schengen Visa application). 

Therefore, you need to pay attention to the spelling, punctuation, capitalisation, and layout of the letter. 

Please read carefully the two cover letter sample paragraphs below (please note that none of them is a complete sample cover letter and you need a more detailed template/sample in order to write a cover letter for Schengen Visa application):

Sample 1: 

“Dear sir madam I would like to apply at your consulate general for a schengen visa for visit friend in Netherlands.

My name is raji anand. I will be travelling from new delhi to amsterdam between octobr 15 and November 17  My employer has already approved my vacation and leave from work for the duration of 1 months. I hold an Indian passport no xxxxxx and I have attached passport size pictures to these cover letters. please do not hesitate to contact me for more information !Thanking you in advance, Raji anand. ”

“Dear Visa Officer,

I would like to apply for a Schengen Visa upon my intention to visit the Netherlands between October 15, 2020 and November 17, 2020.

My name is Raji Anand and I am an Indian citizen. I will be travelling from New Delhi to Amsterdam to visit my close friend, John Smith, who has also provided a sponsorship letter to support my Visa application as he will be covering all of the expenses for the duration of this trip.

I have attached to this letter the following documents [List of documents] .

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions and clarifications.

Raji Anand”

Bad spelling and writing mistakes (like the ones in the first sample) will make you seem less credible and the Embassy/Consulate officers may believe that you do not have a sense of consideration for your application process. 

At the same time, attention to details such as spelling, punctuation, and capitalisation (as shown by the second sample that we provided as an example) will make the Visa officers think that you are an organised and responsible person who put effort into preparing the Visa application.  

• Not presenting the list of documents you are submitting in order of priority

Show the Embassy/Consulate officers that you are an organised person. 

You should mention the list of documents that you are submitting for your application in order of priority (and not randomly). 

Start with the documents that are mandatory for all applicants no matter their personal situation (application form, passport, insurance, etc.) and then add the documents that are mandatory according to the purpose of your trip (e.g., hotel reservations ,   flight reservations , and travel itinerary – if you are applying for a tourist visa) and the documents that are mandatory according to your personal situation (e.g., employment contract , No Objection Certificate (NOC) Letter from your Employer, payslips , your bank statements , etc. – in case you are employed and you pay the expenses for your trip by yourself). 

For further details concerning the Schengen Visa requirements and the order that you should keep when listing them in your covering letter, please check out this blog post.  

• Submitting a Cover Letter that does not align to information and facts provided in other documents

The details and reasons outlined within your cover lettering must align to the same information and evidence you have provided in every other document you are submitting. 

If you contradict or state a point in your letter that does not align to the documents you provide to the Embassy/Consulate, you could jeopardise the entire application, which may cause your Schengen Visa to be rejected.

For example, if in your cover letter, you outline that you are travelling to stay with your family who lives in Italy but you do not include an invitation letter or sponsor for accommodation letter from them, then it contradicts the information in your application. 

Another example is that you say you are traveling for tourism but then you have an invitation letter from a business in your documents. Or, when your passport number and other personal details in your letter do not match the details in your other documents.

Confused Where To Start?

If you are confused, worried or stuck, the best next step to take is to Get a Free Consultation .

The session takes 5 to 10 minutes, starts immediately and you will get our advice delivered to your inbox by a Visa Expert within 1-2 hours. This is not a video or phone call, it is just like a live chat, where we can understand your situation better and an expert shares what you should do next.

There is no commitment to use our services at all, we just provide you advice based on our assessment of your situation and give you the next steps you need to follow to get your Schengen visa.

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How to Get a Schengen Visa from India as a Couple and Visit Europe

STEP BY STEP PROCESS TO GET SCHENGEN VISA FOR INDIAN CITIZENS

By Prachi Jain Khurana last updated on October 18, 2022

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Before getting married, my husband and I had been planning on visiting Europe for our honeymoon. But as you know, Indians need a visa for Europe or the countries in the Schengen zone.

And getting a Schengen visa from India involves a hell lot of documents. We applied for a Schengen visa from India as a couple, and we had to show extra documents as well.

But if your dream is to visit Europe, documents can’t possibly hold you back. There is so much to see and do in Europe, starting from monuments to wonderful museums, national parks, and beaches.

And the fairytale castles of Europe are definitely worth visiting.

Now if you are not sure about how to choose, here is a post that covers the best cities in Europe.

In this article, I will talk about my experience getting it and the requirements. I will cover the common questions about the Schengen visa as well. So all the tips and process written here applies to anyone.

Table of Contents

Do Indians Need a visa to Enter Europe?

Yes, Indian citizens need to get a Schengen visa in order to enter any European country in the Schengen Zone.

Depending on the purpose of the visit, you could choose the visa you want to apply for. For example, say you want to study in Europe for a short term( less than 90 days), then you could go for a Schengen student visa .

At the same time, if you want to study in a Schengen country for a longer time, you could apply for a national visa. Naresh wrote about how he got a Spain Study Visa to do a TEFL course in Spain.

What are the Schengen Countries?

The Schengen zone consists of 26 countries in total. All these countries are in Europe, and have a common visa policy. You can apply for a Schengen visa for any country and visit all other countries with that visa.

Schengen Visa- Which Country to Apply to?

One of the common questions that people applying for a Schengen visa have is how to choose the country to apply to if they are gonna visit more than one.

To choose the country or a country’s embassy for a Schengen visa, you must take these three rules into consideration.

In my case, my husband and I applied Schengen visa for Austria, since Austria was the first country on our travel itinerary and we were planning to spend more time in Austria than in the other three countries.

Now let me tell you about the Schengen visa application process for Indians and how we got it, and any other questions you might have.

When to Apply for Schengen Visa in India?

The rules for Schengen visa application are the same for any country.

1. The earliest you can submit a visa application: Six months before your planned trip. 2. The latest you can apply for the visa: 15 days before your trip.

We recommend you to apply for the Schengen visa at least a month or more before your trip dates since the time to process your application might vary and they might ask for extra documents.

Step 1: Apply for Schengen Visa at VFS

Here is the thing about applying for a Schengen visa from India. Most of the Schengen countries accept Schengen tourist visa applications through a third-party service provider called VFS Global in India.

This means that, unlike other visa applications, you can’t directly apply for a Schengen visa for various countries directly at the consulate of that particular country. You need to use VFS Global for the Schengen visa application.

It’s important to know that VFS only accepts your documents on your behalf and sends them to the embassy and receives it back from the embassy once the visa processing is done.

They don’t process any Schengen visa applications. In India, to get a Schengen visa, VFS India acts as the service provider for the majority of Schengen countries.

So to apply for the Schengen visa from India, the first thing I did was to register myself VFS Global as a new user .

Step 2: Schengen Visa Application Requirements for Indians

If you are applying for a Schengen visa from India, one thing you need to know is that you will have to submit a number of required documents.

It’s essential that the documents comply with the requirements set by the embassy that’s processing your Schengen visa.

Here is the document checklist for Schengen visa for Austria on VFS Global. It’s the same no matter what the first country to enter the Schengen area is.

In order to apply for a Schengen visa in India, you need to submit the following  mandatory documents .

This is the same no matter which country you choose for the visa. And then depending on your situation, you might need to submit extra documents as well.

Schengen Visa Application Form

You can download the application form for the Schengen visa from VFS global and fill it up. You can also fill out the Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard copy.

My husband and I filled up two different forms.

Tips for Filling up Schengen Visa Application form

• The Schengen Member state of the first entry would be the Schengen embassy for your visa application. In our case, it was Austria.
• Mention all the countries you want to visit in the “Member States of Destination” section. If you don’t want to visit any other country, leave this section empty. In this section, we mentioned the Czech Republic and Hungary as I wanted to visit them.
• If you have booked multiple hotels, you can mention the address and emails of the ones in the Entry state in the name of the hotels. If someone has invited you, you can mention the details there. We only mentioned the details of the hotel in Austria.
• As per the cost of traveling, you can choose as the one who will bear the cost. If your parents are sponsoring it or someone else, you can mention that as well. In our case, we were the ones bearing the cost of the trip.

After filling out the forms for the Schengen visa, we signed our individual forms.

Valid Indian Passport

A Valid Indian passport with at least 2 blank pages. To be on the safer side, it’s much better to have one with at least 6 months of validity.

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements

2 recent passport-size pictures with a whole-face capture with a light background, adhering to the specifications mentioned on VFS global.

Schengen Visa Travel Insurance from India

You would need to buy travel medical insurance that would cover the entire period of your stay in the Schengen area. You can choose any of the list of approved travel insurance companies for a Schengen visa in India .

Safety Wing is one of the best travel insurance providers and it covers all kinds of hospitalizations including COVID-related ones, trip interruption, stolen/lost luggage, and in case you lose Indian passport .

It is pretty cheap and can be extended when you are outside of India.

The insurance should have medical coverage of at least Euro 30,000, and it must cover medical evacuation/ repatriation.

Travel Itinerary for Visa

Roundtrip flight reservations from India to Europe. If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, and you are flying inside the Schengen zone, you would need to show flight reservations for that as well.

But if you will be taking the train or have any other mediums of transport, you can show that.

Learn more about getting a flight reservation from India for Schengen visa .

We booked refundable round-trip flights on makemytrip.com. The onward flight from Delhi to Vienna and the return one from Budapest to Delhi.

Schengen Visa Cover Letter

The cover letter for the Schengen visa is one of the most important documents you need to submit when applying for a visa to Europe. In this cover letter, you will mention the purpose of your visit and a detailed itinerary.

Be as detailed as you can and mention every little detail. Mention the trains you would catch, the hotels you would stay in, the hop-on-hop-off buses that you would catch, and the opera house you would go to.

Proof of Accommodation

You need to provide proof of accommodation for the whole duration of your stay inside the Schengen zone. We made refundable reservations for hotels for our whole itinerary.

Proof of Funds

When applying for a Schengen visa from India, you will need to show proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself for the whole time in Europe.

The amount of money you need to show is different for every Schengen country depending on the cost of living and it can also vary as per your Europe itinerary.

You could provide the original bank account statements for the last 3 months. Do provide the photocopies of the credit card statements if you can. In our case, we showed 200000 INR ($3000 USD approximately) per person.

And you need to get this statement from the bank and it has to be signed and stamped. You will have to provide the originals for this. So don’t show up with the printout of your bank statements from the online portal.

Employment proof

Schengen visa requirements based on your employment status in India will vary a lot.

If you are employed:

• No objection letter from your employer
• Salary slips for the last 3 months
• An employment contract or offer letter
• Leave permission from your employer
• ITR (Income Tax Return) for the last two years

If you are self-employed:

• A copy of your business license in India- CIN certificate/ LLP certificate/GST certificate/Udhyog Aadhar memorandum/Import Export certificate, depending on your company
• Company bank statements for the last six months
• ITR for the last two years

If applicable:

• Regular income generated by property such as from renting it, for the last 6 months

If retired:

• Pension statements for the last 6 months

If you are a student:

• A No objection certificate from your school/university
• Proof of enrollment such as an ID card

As my husband and I are both employed, we provided the salary slips, offer letter, and NOC for the Schengen visa.

Proof of Civil Status

If applicable, you need to provide a marriage certificate, birth certificate for children, divorce certificate if divorced, death certificate of spouse, etc.

In our case, since we are married, we provided a photocopy of the marriage certificate.

Valid Permit to Return

Citizens of Bangladesh / Bhutan / India / Maldives / Nepal / Sri Lanka applying for a Schengen visa from India, need to provide this.

Previous Schengen Visa

If you were granted a Schengen visa before, you need to provide photocopies of the previous visa. This applies even if you didn’t travel to Europe on that visa. 

VFS Appointment Letter

If you are applying for a Schengen visa in India through VFS, then you need to have the appointment letter for the same.

You don’t need Police verification for short-term Schengen study visas. However, if it is a long-term study visa, you surely will need a police clearance certificate from India .

Step 3: Getting an Appointment at VFS

Before you make an appointment in VFS for a Schengen visa, read the instructions for appointments on VFS portal.

To book an appointment, log in to the VFS portal and go to the tab “Schedule an appointment”. Once you choose the VFS center and the purpose of travel, you would need to add the details of the applicants.

You can add up to 5 applicants here if you are applying as a group or family. I added my husband and myself as the applicants here.

After this, you would need to choose a date and time and confirm your appointment.

Once it’s confirmed, you will receive an email from VFS with an appointment letter. If you don’t receive an email, you can email it to yourself using the “Email your appointment” option.

Make sure to print the appointment letter and carry it with you when you go to the VFS center.

Step 4: Submit the Documents for Schengen Visa at VFS

Before visiting VFS, make sure that you have arranged the documents in the prescribed order. You wouldn’t have a lot of time sorting everything there, so everything must be in order. At the VFS center, there are different counters for different countries. You will need to go to the counter for the country that will be processing your Schengen visa application.

You will be issued a token there and wait for your turn and then submit the documents. You will also be needed to provide Biometric fingerprint data. And they will click a picture of you there. And they will go through all your documents.

You will need to pay the visa fees and they will give you an acknowledgment. As my husband and I were traveling together and applying for the visa together, we submitted all the documents at the same time.

The whole thing took us more or less one hour. Depending on the VFS center and country that’s your entry point, it might take longer.

We applied in VFS Delhi.

How to Pay Schengen Visa Fees at VFS India?

You need to pay a service charge of INR 1261/ per person, to VFS India apart from the standard Schengen visa fees. They also have a plethora of services like courier facility, form-filling service, etc for which they charge extra.

Mode of payment in India:

• Demand Draft in favor of  VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PVT. LTD.
• Visa, Master Card, and Rupay

Schengen Visa Fees for Indian Citizens

Schengen Visa Fees are waived for:

• Representatives of non-profit organizations traveling to take part in seminars, sports, cultural or educational events, etc. They must be under 25 years old.
• Researchers travelling to carry out scientific research or participate in a seminar or conference.
• Students of a school or postgraduate students and teachers accompanying them get a visa for study or educational training.

Step 5: Attend Schengen Visa Interview

Once you submit the application, you can track your application on VFS . You might need to go for an interview at the embassy of the country that’s your entry point in the Schengen area.

But in our case, we didn’t have to go through an interview at the Austrian embassy. The processing for our Schengen tourist visas was completed after a week. We went to the VFS center with the acknowledgment slip and received our passports with the visa stickers.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Schengen Visa in India?

The standard processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days, from the date your application was submitted to the consulate of the country for your visa.

If they ask for any extra documents, this process might further be extended to 30 calendar days, or even to 60 days in some rare cases.

Schengen Visa duration: I got it for 21 days. You can get it for 90 days at max. Schengen Visa validity: It will be valid from the date of your arrival, not from the date it’s issued.

Schengen Visa Tips:

• Carry one extra photocopy of every document just in case.
• It’s much better to choose Single entry if it’s your first time applying for a Schengen tourist visa.
• You can use the services of VFS to apply for a Schengen visa from Nepal or Bhutan as well.
• Although you can pay the fees at VFS using a credit or debit card, it’s way better to carry cash.
• Please, make sure that you receive an entry stamp on your passport when you enter the Schengen area. Without a stamp, you could be in a world of trouble. Read detained or fined or deported.
• When filling out the application if there are columns that do not correspond to your case, fill them with NA (No Answer), rather than leaving them blank.

What Documents Should I Bring When Traveling to Europe on Schengen Visa?

While entering the Schengen zone, you might be asked to furnish proof of accommodation and/or proof of funds by the border. So it’s a good idea to have the hotel reservations and bank statements handy.

Also, make sure that you have the return flight tickets to come back to India or onward travel proof if you are going to a country outside the Schengen zone.

Schengen Visa Denial: What to Do?

If your Schengen visa was denied, you will be provided a rejection letter for Schengen visa stating the reason your visa was rejected. If you believe the reason is not justified, you have the right to appeal the Schengen visa rejection.

You can only appeal to the required Schengen member country as per their guidelines. The rejection letter would contain the information about that.

You can also file a fresh Schengen visa application through another member state.

Schengen visa is one of the most elusive visas. There are many reasons a Schengen visa might be rejected. Before you apply for a Schengen visa, go through 20 reasons your Schengen visa might get rejected, so that you don’t make the same mistakes.

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Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. Please see my  disclaimer policy  here. The Visa Project would by no means be liable for any purchase of tours, tickets, and any other online reservations that are made with any third-party provider.

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Reader Interactions

October 15, 2020 at 7:09 pm

Great Article. Thank you so much for the information.

January 7, 2021 at 9:59 am

Thanks alot for informations wanted to apply once pandemics over….

January 14, 2021 at 7:05 pm

Thank you a great informative article. Are we allowed to travel other schengen countries by train like say Germany, Italy France etc. Should we have to show proof of all such bookings while applying for visa?

January 15, 2021 at 10:36 am

Hi Nayana, Yes, you are allowed to travel to any Schengen country. But you would need to show proof of all such bookings only if you have included them in your application.

May 12, 2021 at 12:25 pm

Very useful information, really thank you so much for providing such information. I am really glad to see this information.

February 25, 2022 at 4:33 pm

Hi! Not sure if this blog is still active. But I wanted to ask, did you and your husband have one application and one copy of documents or two sets of applications and documents?

March 2, 2022 at 3:25 am

Hi Kristine, Yes, you can apply with just one application.

December 1, 2022 at 2:30 am

Wanted to check. How can I and my wife can apply under one VFS application? I thought a single user account can apply for only one person right ?

December 2, 2022 at 11:04 am

Hi Kaustav, You can add her before submitting the application. You would see the “Add New Applicant” option.

March 26, 2022 at 4:57 am

Hi, thank you for information. I and my wife want to apply togather and I have few questions. 1. Does Husband and wife need separate VFS appointments or a single appointment? because I can see ‘add member’ section on VFS website while booking appointment. 2. Do Husband and wife need to create separate documents files or a single file? 3. How do they process the file/s of a couple at VFS? Do they call both the persons individually or togather as a couple? 4. Separate visa fee needed for both person in couple? 5. What documents needed for a person in couple who is not employed and her spouse is paying her expenses for trip?

Basically I wanted to know what is the process at VFS office if a couple want to apply together, right from applying for appointment to visiting VFS Office

March 29, 2022 at 1:11 pm

Hi Om, 1.Yes you would need to choose the add member option and apply together. 2. You can carry the documents together 3. They will call you together, although they might want to verify the documents for each person individually. Depends on the VFS center. 4. Yes 5. The spouse needs to provide the bank statements duly signed and needs to mention the same in detail on the cover letter. They can ask for more documents depending on different factors.

June 7, 2023 at 4:09 am

Hi Deb Pati, I have a question in the similar lines.

Me and my wife are working. We are planning to apply for tourist visa. While filling the visa application form, what should we add in the field “Travel and Living Expenses During Your Stay Are Covered by”?

Should we both tick mark the suitable values or should one of us bear the amount (tick the values) and other person is shown as dependent (mark others option).

Thanks in advance

June 13, 2023 at 5:16 pm

If you both are working and both will pay for it, and have the bank account statements, you can tick both.

August 22, 2023 at 3:23 pm

My case is similar to that of Om’s. My wife is a home-maker and we applied for Schengen Visa as joint applicants and got the appointment slot for next month.

My query is – In the covering letter, should I mention the details as an individual applicant or should I mention it as “Me & my wife are planning to visit Italy……..”. Shall I mention “Me & my wife” everywhere on the covering letter….. And she too should do the same in her covering letter ??

August 24, 2023 at 5:09 pm

Hi Prithvi, Yes, you can write the cover letter for both of you. For example, you can start with talking about the trip as an individual and then towards the end mention that your wife would be accompanying you on this trip. And some of her details. Same goes for her.

April 25, 2022 at 1:42 pm

Thank you so much for detailed information.

Quick question: My fiance and me are planning to visit Austria for our honeymoon and hence applying for visa prior to our wedding. Do we need to show same accomodations / hotel bookings if we are are traveling together or do we need to make separate bookings?

April 26, 2022 at 6:52 am

Hi Aditya, You can do the booking and add your fiancee to the booking. But if the platform doesn’t allow it or the booking doesn’t show it, no worries. You can still show the booking under your name.

June 30, 2023 at 4:53 pm

Me and my fiance are planning to go France for honeymoon. hence we want to apply for visa prior to our marriage. He we cannot show our marriage certificate. Could you pls guide me how to go for it. We both are employed if required we both can show separate bank gurantee too.

July 12, 2023 at 8:58 pm

Try through an agency or tour group. It would be easier if you want to get the visa before getting married. Or wait until you get married and get the certificate.

May 14, 2022 at 5:14 pm

Hi, thanks for this informative post. Have a few follow-up queries regarding applying as a couple for Schengen visa. We have taken a one appointment slot at VFS for both of us. I wish to know : 1. Did you write the cover letter as one common letter coming from both of you jointly with all individual details mentioned in it or you wrote two separate letters as from two individuals ? 2. Same as above, Did you provide one set of the supporting documents with the application or two sets? Any other suggestions regarding applying as a couple would be appreciated.

Thanks n Regards

May 19, 2022 at 5:14 am

Hi, Yes, you can write one cover letter for both of you. You need to provide two sets of supporting documents when it comes to bank accounts, salary slips, leave letters etc.

May 21, 2022 at 6:47 pm

Hi, Thank you, this post is really informative. I have one query. Regarding the NOC which my company will provide, is it okay to submit the printout of it or do we need to submit it on a company’s letterhead with stamp?

May 23, 2022 at 11:31 am

Hi Soumya, Letterhead with stamp is always better. If you can not get it, then a printout will do the job.

July 31, 2022 at 5:57 pm

Hi, Thanks for this few follow up queries- 1. My fiancé and I are planning a trip immediately after marriage next year(Feb) ..we both are working can we show individual bank statements of €3000 each? Or it has to be in 1 account? 2. Also is it mandatory to pre book flights/hotels/ inter country train? since it’s risky ..do dummy reservations work? If yes any suggestions ? 3.does the €3000/person has to be excluding the flight and hotel booking? 4. This is the first time we are planning to visit outside india hence should we self apply for this visa or through an agent? 5. For the VFS Delhi we have to visit how many times for visa? Is there an interview too? 6. Can we apply for visa 6months before as many travel agents are saying can be done only 3months prior? 7. Do u easily get appointments? Or is there a huge waiting for Netherlands?

August 4, 2022 at 4:45 am

Hi Namrata, Individual bank statements are fine wince you are both working. You can make refundable reservations on booking. As per flights, you don’t have to book them beforehand and many embassies actually ask you not to. You can make a reservation just in case.

I always encourage people to apply by themselves. However, you can buy a trip through a good and well-known travel agent ( preferably approved by the embassy) who can also help with the visa application. That would be helpful since this is your first time outside India.

Usually, one visit to VFS should do the job if you carry all the documents in one go.

You can apply the visa 3 months before the planned trip.

The waiting list depends on the country and a lot other factors. Right now, there is a waiting list because of Covid.

August 5, 2022 at 7:49 am

Thanks Also is it necessary to take NOC from private companies too?

August 8, 2022 at 2:35 pm

The leave letter should do the trick.

August 23, 2022 at 8:15 am

Hi, Thank you, this post is really informative. few follow-ups 1. if we are travelling to several Schengen countries like you guys did, do we have to include flix bus/train tickets in the documents ?, most of the times we don’t book these tickets prior right they are booked there and then. (how to book these tickets prior travel ?) 2. regarding cover letter and NOC – what details we need to mention in the cover letter ? when we ask for NOC from the company should it direct to someone (visa officer) what would be the format of it ?

August 25, 2022 at 11:28 am

Hi Tushar, You should not book the tickets beforehand. Simply mention in your cover letter that you are planning to book them along with the dates and locations. The NOC differs depending on your employer. Even for private companies, the wording is different and based on some kind of template. Sometimes, a leave letter will work as well. It should be on the employer’s letter head and have a signature and say something like they have no objection to your travel and your leaves are granted.

August 27, 2022 at 9:19 pm

Hi there, Article is very informative.

I’m planning for Europe trip in next three months and I’m really confused regarding the cover letter (I’m also applying for Austria visa only) and itinery documents.

Can you please share the example cover letter and itinery documents?

Also can you please write an article or post some information here about VISA form filling?

Thanks in advance 🙂

September 2, 2022 at 10:43 am

Hi Rama, The cover letter is very detailed where you mention your plans, flight details and day-to-day itinerary. As part of itinerary, you need the flight reservations(not tickets) and hotel reservations.

The form is pretty easy to fill.

September 27, 2022 at 7:37 pm

Thanks for the detailed information. In my case I am planning to travel with my wife to France, Belgium and Netherlands but primary country to visit is France. When we apply for visa on france-visas website, it doesn’t ask for adding a member. Can I create another application for my wife where I can be her guarantor (as that’s an option to choose). May be In that case, she would not have to submit her documents about finances. Would that work?

September 28, 2022 at 11:56 am

Hi, It will ask you to add the member when you reach the last step, before you tick the declaration checkbox and continue. You should see the option to “Add an application”. In that application, you can be your wife’s gurantor. And finally, you can submit to the visa centre.

October 8, 2022 at 4:16 pm

Hi lam indian working in saudi arabia my plan next year visit in France with family.i think visit visa applying in India.what type of document need .my company noc need or not? Which bank statement show? Saudi or indian bank

October 12, 2022 at 2:34 pm

Hi Baiju, It would be easier and simpler in my opinion to apply for a visit visa in Saudi Arabia for you. And your family members can apply in India.

However, if you need to apply for it in India as a group, you would surely need the salary slips, NOC, leave approval letters etc and if they are in Arabic, you might need to translate them into English/French. You could show the bank account statements from India as well as from Saudi Arabia.

October 29, 2022 at 3:18 am

Thank you for such an informative piece and a big thank you to the creators of the Visa Project for developing this platform. May you continue to touch the lives of others through your website. I have a couple of queries regarding the Schengen visa and would be extremely grateful if you could alleviate them. 1. Say you are travelling from city A to city B within a Schengen country (Madrid to Barcelona by bus), did you attach the tickets too?

2. In the checklist, there’s a section: “If the applicant is travelling to several Schengen States, proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental” How do you get this proof of intra-Schengen reservation? Is there any website where I can book and cancel later or simply reserve for the time being? Since I’m visiting 5 countries I’ll have to show tickets every time I’m new a new Schengen country, isn’t it? How did you go about this intra-Schengen reservation?

3. If I am travelling to 5 countries, should I mention all the 5 countries in the cover letter or should I create the letter in such a way to show I’m visiting only 2 countries. Once I have the visa I can book the tickets for those 5 Schengen countries. Otherwise, I will have to attach tickets for all 5 countries and if the visa is rejected, there will be a significant loss.

Thank you. May you travel the world and inspire people like us. Your articles instill confidence and self belief.

November 1, 2022 at 7:05 am

Hi Vikramaditya, Thank you for your kind words. 1. You don’t have to buy or book tickets for travel inside a Schengen country. You simply have to explain in the cover letter how you are planning to do that, and that you will buy the tickets once you are there.

2. If you are planning to travel from one country to another, then you can buy cheap flight tickets or train tickets or rent a ticket as well, and mention the same in your cover letter. https://thevisaproject.com/recommends/visa-reservation/

3. It is easier to mention just 2 countries, and then travel to 5.

Ideally, you should not have to buy any tickets beforehand. Always rent or show reservations that are fully refundable: https://thevisaproject.com/blog/tips/10-ways-for-onward-travel-proof/

Would be great if you could update us once the visa is approved. Always helps the others a lot.

All the best, Deb

November 7, 2022 at 1:32 pm

Thank you Deb for the speedy response. Your suggestions are really helpful. I’ll be applying for the visa next month and will surely update.

November 8, 2022 at 1:54 pm

Thank you Vikramaditya. Will wait for it.

November 8, 2022 at 5:20 am

As proof of finance, instead of ITR of last 3 years can we show form-16 of last 3 years?

November 8, 2022 at 5:22 am

As proof of finance, can we submit form16 instead of ITR along with payslips and bank statement?

November 8, 2022 at 1:48 pm

If you have a valid reason for not submitting the ITR, you can mention this in the cover letter and provide Form 16 with payslips and bank statements.

December 12, 2022 at 8:14 am

Hi, Thanks for the detailed information. I am also planning to apply for a Schengen visa with my fiance and would like to know whether we have to write separate cover letters since we do not have any marriage proof as of now or if one letter would be enough. If one letter would suffice, do I have to mention the details of my fiance in it?

If possible, can you please share a sample format of the cover letter you guys used for your application?

December 16, 2022 at 6:41 pm

Hi Sagar, You can write one cover letter. That will work. Do note that they can ask for a marriage certificate depending on the consulate.

March 9, 2023 at 2:37 am

Hi I have some queries regarding schengen tourist visa. Please help. We are a family of 4 travelling.. me, husband, son and my mom. Have submitted all necessary docs.. the thing is I am in between jobs. Have submitted noc from current org n my new org offer letter too. In between I have one month break when I am travelling. Will that be ab issue in getting my visa?

March 10, 2023 at 1:20 pm

Hi Pratyusha, It should not be an issue really as you have already provided the NOC from your current organization.

May 20, 2023 at 9:03 am

Hi team, Q1) For Schengen Visa applicatioon: If my wife (who is dependent on me for sponsoring her trip) is traveling with me, then is marriage certificate the only additional document I have to carry to show that she is related to me? I understand I have to maintain sufficient bank balance and show it in my statements. but I am asking is there anything else I or she needs need to do?

Q2) There is not enough space in the visa application for of Switzerland to fill addresses and names of the accommodations we are staying in. But I believe we need to fill the exact downloaded form – Is that correct? Is there an alternate to write those details?

May 28, 2023 at 8:03 pm

Hi Tushar, Yes, you need to provide an apostiled marriage certificate for the visa application. They might ask for other documents as they see fit. You can fill in the names and addresses of places where you would be staying in the download form and try to fit them in as much as you can.

June 5, 2023 at 7:00 am

How can honey moon couples provide proof of marriage as they may be applying for visas before marriage?

June 7, 2023 at 10:56 am

You should apply for the visa after getting married.

June 7, 2023 at 5:39 am

Thanks for the article. I have a few questions if you can please help answer: 1. Do I need to mark all the fields that are empty as N/A (being suggested by many)? If yes, the issue is the latest Schengen Visa form can be filled on computer (pdf) and there are date fields which are not applicable for instance, date of birth of sponsor. But the field do not accept N/A as it is a date field. What do I do: a. Fill the remaining fields as N/A and leave such fields empty. b. Leave all fields empty in such questions. c. Fill N/A with pen after taking print out. 2. Is National ID Number my passport number or aadhaar number? 3. My wife and I will be co-applicants can we have different permanent address in our forms (respectively) as we are from two different cities and never updated our passport? 4. After I choose Tourism as my purpose, there is a follow-up question: Additional information on your purpose of visit? Should I mention Tourism again or leave it empty or N/A? 5. A question asks me to mention the hotel details. It has space in which I cannot mention more than one. Should I provide the details of hotel where I will be staying for maximum number of nights, irrespective of my port of entry? 6. Regarding the last question that talks about cost of travelling and living. I have two situations: Let’s say my wife and I both are working and we are going to provide details for both. In each of our form should we tick by the applicant himself/herself? Second situation: Both are working, and we will provide details for both however the expense will be either handled by my wife or me, in this case what should we chose for the other applicant: By a sponsor (me)/Other/or something else?

June 13, 2023 at 5:22 pm

Hello Amitesh,

Option a or c can work.

Aadhar is the national ID number.

Yes the address on the passport does not have to be the same as your actual address. This is very normal. But you should have some kind of proof for your current address.

Yes purpose of visit can be tourism/ sight-seeing.

You can sponsor yourself and your wife can sponsor herself as long as you have the bank statements and all that.

June 19, 2023 at 3:28 am

Thanks for the great article!

I have a query for the Schengen visa. My spouse and I are applying for Schengen visa via the French embassy. We have the following conditions –

1. My spouse has my name as spouse updated in his passport, while mine doesn’t. 2. We have a marriage certificate, but its not apostilled

Would we need to show an apostilled marriage certificate, or apply separately without bothering about the marriage certificate.

June 25, 2023 at 9:48 pm

1. This is not a big deal. 2. It is always better to apsotile the marriage certificate. Does not take more than 3 or 4 days depending on where you live. In case they ask for it, you would have it.

July 11, 2023 at 7:36 pm

The article was very detailed plus going though the comment threads have been equally informative. I have a few queries though:

I have booked an appointment for Switzerland at vfs delhi. I have added my wife as a co-applicant. Following are my questions:

1. Both our passports are not updated, hence it still mentions us single. (And obviously addresses are different) Is that ok? 2. We have a marriage certificate, but the address on marriage certificate doesn’t match the address on passport. What should be done in such a case? We both have aadhar card available with same address as that on marriage certificate, but that’s not written as a valid document 3. In the application form, do i have to mention the address present on the passport, or the current address where both of us our staying (our marriage certificate address).

The above confusions are giving me a lot of stress.

Hoping for a revert 🙂

July 12, 2023 at 9:11 pm

Hello Manik, 1. Yes, it is fine. 2. That is fine as well. 3. You can write the address where you live right now.

August 9, 2023 at 12:46 am

Hi! In the VFS appointment page, if I add my husband as an applicant before scheduling the date, does that mean both of us will have a confirmed appointment when I choose a date&time? Or will we have to create our own account and schedule an appointment separately? Thank you!

August 12, 2023 at 9:52 pm

Hi Mara, Yes, you should get one appointment together.

November 20, 2023 at 6:22 pm

i have been to schenzen twice as alone and this time taking wife with me. we both are working but my wife does not have much balance in her account as low pay job i can maintain 3000 euro in both also i wanna ask if i show my bank balance and for my wife ill just show the salary slips and noc and tax docs and bank balance with very less amount will that work

December 5, 2023 at 5:20 pm

Yes you can show it for both you and your wife.

December 12, 2023 at 7:25 am

Hi Deb, Me and my wife are planning For europe trip. We are married recently , its been just 8 months. I wanted to ask whether this will be an issue with this? Also will there be any rejections on bank statments? we getaround 1-1.5lakh monthly salary.

December 21, 2023 at 10:52 pm

I don’t think so Sushil. You should be fine.

March 9, 2024 at 12:13 am

Hi, that’s for such a wonderful write up. It is absolutely helpful and trust me, this is the most clear and detailed information I got on Schengen short stay visa application as a couple I have seen. I some few questions though. My wife got rejected before with reasons as not reliable information concerning her trip and thought on whether she will return before her visa expires. I own a company and employ her. She got a good salary and all required paperwork including social security and ITR. 1. I was wondering if this is not going to seriously affect our application. 2.I had work in China for long before establishing my business, should I include my past visas from China and Thailand when applying? Should we mention her pas rejection? Thanks very much for your kindness.

March 17, 2024 at 9:29 pm

Hi Armstrong, Your wife being employed in your company is not a big issue. But they usually ask if you have been rejected in the past. I believe Shengen countries share that info and they would know already. When you apply together, you can show that you will be the one spending all the money and sponsering her etc. Or if she already has a good amount of money in her account, she can show this also. And you can write a convincing cover letter and provide a clear itinerary and your plans to come back.

May 2, 2024 at 9:09 am

Hi Deb, I had a few doubts. Me and my wife are travelling to Prague, Vienna, Hungary and Croatia for 9 days.

1. We have purchased a joint travel Insurance with individual coverage of $1,00,000. Will this be fine? 2. In the application form, where its asking for applicant’s home address and e-mail address, can we mention the present rental address or does it have to be the address mentioned in the passport?

May 6, 2024 at 4:22 pm

Hi Sayak, 1. Yes it will be fine. 2. You can provide the rental address.

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Cover Letter for Visa Application – A Guide for 2024

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Are you a student, or professional looking to travel to another country? The first step in your journey is to secure a visa to your destination. Though it sounds simple, getting a visa requires several formalities – varying from simple to complex – depending on the country you are travelling to. In the majority of the cases of visa application, it must be accompanied by a cover letter. This blog will solve a series of doubts about a visa cover letter. It contains: 

• Step-by-step procedure to write a cover letter for visa application
• Common mistakes to avoid and pro tips
• Visa Cover Letter Sample

What is Cover Letter for Visa?

A cover letter for visa is an official document that you will have to include in your visa application. It helps you explain your reasons for travelling to a certain country. Also, it may be used as a commentary for the documents you have included in your visa application, explaining why you have submitted specific documents.

How a Visa Cover Letter Can Make a Difference in Your Visa Application?

With the help of a well-crafted cover letter, you can make a significant difference to your visa application.

• It helps you personalize your visa application : You write your visa cover letter in your own words giving your personal touch. It helps you establish the context of your visa application and intentions.
• It serves as a supporting document : Visa cover letter is a formal letter and thus it is considered as a supporting document. If one or the other documents you have submitted do not provide the context of them, the cover letter can step in to explain that. 
• It helps you justify any setback : If you have ever experienced visa rejection, the context of it will be inspected during future visa processing. In your cover letter, you can explain why your visa was rejected and what you have done to address that. 
• It proves your communication skills: A well-written cover letter is solid proof of your communication skills and ability to articulate your thoughts effectively and with attention to detail. It can impress the visa officers to make a positive decision in your favour.

Types of Cover Letters for Visa

As you have discovered, a visa cover letter is an important document in visa applications. Depending on the type of visa and context in which you are applying for a visa, the nature of the cover letter changes. Here is a guide to understanding the different types of visa cover letters. 

• Cover letter for student visa
• Cover letter for tourist visa
• Cover letter for spouse visa
• Cover letter for business visa
• Cover letter for dependent visa
• Cover letter for work visa

1. Cover Letter for Student Visa

When the purpose of your travel to a foreign county is higher education, you will need a student visa. In the application for a student visa, you will include a student visa cover letter explaining the purposes, duration of your stay and other supporting information. 

2. Cover Letter for Tourist Visa

If you are flying to a foreign country to spend your vacation there or to visit some tourist destinations, you will stay there for a much shorter time and for this, you will only require a tourist visa. When you draft your cover letter for a tourist visa, you clearly mention your itinerary in that country.  

3. Cover Letter for Spouse Visa

Your application for spouse visa must entail a cover letter explaining why you want to accompany your spouse to the foreign country, how long you will stay and how important it is for you to be with your spouse. Your spouse’s visa cover letter must point to all supporting documents you are including to make your case solid. 

4. Cover Letter for Business Visa

In your cover letter for a business visa, you should justify the reasons for your business visa application. It must show the type of business activities you are going to be involved in, for instance, attending conferences, exploring business opportunities, etc. 

5. Cover Letter for Dependant Visa

A cover letter for a dependant visa is a document explaining your relationship with the dependant who is planning to accompany you in the foreign country. It should explain where the dependant is going to be sheltered, how and where they will find food etc. The cover letter must emphasize that the dependant will abide by the immigration rules of the hosting country. 

6. Cover Letter for Work Visa

Your cover letter for work visa application must show that you have a job offer from an employer and that you fulfil requirements such as qualification, physical fitness, language proficiency and more.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Visa Application?

It is important to note that visa rejections can be costly. So, when you apply for a visa, you must ensure that there are no loopholes in your visa application and the cover letter to it. Here is an effective strategy to write a cover letter for visa application. 

Understand the requirements

To begin with, get to know the visa cover letter requirements for the specific country to which you are intending to travel to. Depending on the context and purpose, the requirements may vary, so be careful about that. 

Get familiar with the format and structure

You are expected to write the cover letter in a recognized format. The structure of the letter is important too. Get an overview of both by going through a visa cover letter sample. 

Brainstorm for points

Next, brainstorm points for your cover letter. Shortlist the most relevant, and verifiable points that support the particular type of visa you are applying for. Familiarize yourself with the materials and info you are including. 

Prepare an outline

By preparing an outline, you can have a proper structure for clear communication. It will give you an overview of what you have written and what you still have to write. 

Write the final copy

Once you are ready with the points and familiar with the structure, proceed to write the final copy of your cover letter. Start with the introduction, and proceed to the main body and conclusion. Ensure that all points are logically connected. 

Proofread and validate

Make sure that your cover letter contains no mistakes. A thorough proofreading is essential to achieve that. Beware of grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors and eliminate all of them.

Cover Letter Sample for Visa

Take a look at this sample cover letter for visa application. It should help you familiarize yourself with the writing tone, points and other significant areas to focus on during your writing.

The Officer

United States Embassy

Subject: Cover Letter for Student Visa Application

Dear Officer,

I hereby submit this cover letter to support my visa application in the US where I have decided to pursue my higher studies. I am Anand Jaiswal, a permanent resident of India, residing in Bangalore. I have been accepted for the Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. My course will be commencing in September 2023.

I am excited about the opportunity to study in the United States. The country, with its sophisticated academic infrastructure, presents me with unparalleled research facilities in the area of my interest. The Master’s program at the University of California, Berkeley offers a comprehensive curriculum. It would be a pleasure for me to master the advanced skills from experienced professors and seasoned trainers. The collaborative learning environment and progressive pedagogy in the US will put me on track for a dynamic career in the field of my interest.

The program is perfectly aligned with my academic and career goals. I am confident that this course will equip me with the necessary skills and knowledge. This way, I will be able to significantly contribute to the field of Electrical Engineering.

As a part of this course, I will be focussing on advanced topics such as power systems, renewable energy, and smart grid technologies. The comprehensive course modules seamlessly blend both theoretical and practical knowledge. This will help me gain a holistic understanding of the course materials. Particularly, I am excited about the opportunity to participate in research projects and work closely with renowned professors in the field.

Being a responsible student, I understand the value of respecting the visa norms. I hereby promise to adhere to the immigration laws and respect the norms established by the university. Besides, I will comply with the terms of my student visa. On completing my studies in the US, I will return to my homeland in India and tap employment opportunities in the electrical engineering industry in the country.

Along with this application, you will find all the necessary documents attached. This includes the letter of acceptance, my financial statements, proof of accommodation, and evidence of ties to my family. These documents will validate my claims in support of my visa application.

My father, Mr. Sanjit Jaiswal, will be sponsoring my academic trip to the US. He’s an established businessman in India, and is financially sound to finance my tuition fees, living expenses, and incidental costs throughout my study period in the US.

I would be grateful if I get an opportunity to discuss my application further in an interview. I am confident that my academic background, strong motivation, and sincere commitment to my studies make me a potential candidate for progressive the academic environment in the US.

I look forward to the opportunity to pursue my studies in the United States and contribute to the academic excellence of the University of California, Berkeley. A berth in this esteemed university will significantly propel me closer to my professional goals in India.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Yours sincerely,

Anand Jaiswal

Must-Have Elements in Your Visa Application Cover Letter

A cover letter for visa application must contain information that the visa officers are looking for. So, when you decide to write it, the first priority should be given to identifying the essential elements to add to it. This guide will help you. 

Introduction

Start your personal covering letter for visa with a proper salutation and a strong formal introduction showing the purpose of your writing of it. Give a short background information about you such as your name, passport number and nationality at the introduction. 

Travel Purpose

Next, explain the exact purpose of your visit to the foreign country – whether you are trying to study, work, spend a vacation, do business or accompany a partner or whatever.

Mention the duration of your stay in the foreign country and show how you will be utilizing that period. Show your plans to travel and visit other places, attend meetings, etc. If there are any events that have been already scheduled, speak about them for clarity. 

Supporting documents

Mention what documents you have which would make your visa application stronger. For instance, if you are applying for a student visa, the admission approval letter from a college or university is essential to include in the visa application. 

Proof of funds

Most foreign countries require you to prove that you have sufficient funds to meet your food, accommodation and other expenses while visiting their country and that you won’t be a burden to them. Show clear verifiable proof of your finances. 

Connection to home country

Assure the visa officers that you will return to your home country following the expiry of your visa. The best way to do that is to highlight your family bonds and commitments in your home country. 

Conclude the letter by reiterating the main points you discussed. Show your gratitude to the visa officers for their valuable time to consider your application as in the visa cover letter sample.

Cover Letter Format for Visa

Use the following guidelines to format your cover letter for visa. 

Font style : Use any academically approved font style. Times New Roman, Ariel or Helvetica are ideal choices. 

Font size: Set the font size to 12 points 

Tone : Keep an engaging tone – respectful and professional

Grammar and punctuation : Write the letter using active voice. Use appropriate punctuation wherever it is necessary. 

Paragraph organization: Organize the content of your letter into multiple paragraphs – introduction, main body and conclusion. Make sure that each paragraph is limited to about 100 words. 

Salutation and closing : Begin the letter with a proper salutation – “Dear Mr/Mrs (Last Name). Conclude the letter with a professional closing – “Yours sincerely/faithfully”

Cover Letter Requirement for Top Countries

Although there are common factors when it comes to the requirements for a cover letter for visas to top countries, there are slight differences too. It’s important to address those differences while writing the letter.

Covering Letter for Schengen Visa

• Start the letter with an appropriate salutation. If you are unsure to whom it’s addressed, write “To whom it may concern.” 
• Make sure that the purpose of your visit is properly addressed in the letter. 
• Keep the letter short and straight to the point
• Proofread your letter multiple times to ensure that it contains no mistakes. 

Cover Letter for Canadian Visa

• Start the letter by introducing who you are, what you do and what your intention in writing this letter is. 
• Give a proper account of your travel plans. Refer to our tourist visa cover letter sample for clarity. 
• Show that you have sufficient funds to meet all expenditures while travelling in Canada. 
• Clearly mention that you intend to return to your home country following the expiry of your visa. 

Cover Letter for Japan Visa

• Make sure that you clearly understand the cover letter expectations before starting to write it. The requirements vary depending on the visa type. 
• Get familiar with all supporting documents you are required to produce for your Japan visa. 
• Give your strong reasons to return to your home country. 
• If you are applying for a tourist visa or transit visa, refer to our cover letter for transit visa sample before starting to write your letter. 

Cover Letter for German Visa

• Write a concise cover letter for your German visa. Avoid unnecessary and irrelevant detailing. 
• Make sure to substantiate your points with supporting information and documents. 
• If you are applying for a spouse visa in Germany, include sufficient documents to prove your relationship. 
• Make sure that your cover letter is 100% free from errors and plagiarism. 

Cover Letter for Australian Visa

• Write your cover letter in about 500 to 800 words. 
• Use a professional tone in your writing. 
• Assure that you will abide by Australian laws during your stay. 
• If there is anything that you are not certain about, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. 

Cover Letter for Italian Visa

• In your cover letter for an Italian visa, clearly mention for what purpose you are travelling to Italy. 
• Do not copy from a sample cover letter for tourist visa application as that can lead to plagiarism. 
• Keep your letter precise, straight to the point and logically organized. 
• Brainstorm for the most relevant points by referring to work visa cover letter samples we have shared here. 

Covering Letter for Singapore Visa

• Go through the visa application guidelines and clearly understand the requirements and expectations. 
• Ensure that the information you provide in the cover letter does not contradict information on other documents. 
• Go through the letter at least three times before submitting it to the visa authority. 
• Do not write anything in the cover letter that is not true. 

Cover Letter for US Visa 

• Since the US has multiple visa categories, figure out which category your case falls into and write an appropriate cover letter, for instance, a cover letter for h1b visa. 
• Ensure that your cover letter contains no grammatical or spelling mistakes and is written in the US variant of English. 
• Start your cover letter for embassy by giving a brief background information about yourself and then proceed to explain the purpose and other details. 
• Make sure that you have a 100% accurate, error-free and plagiarism-free visa request letter. 

Cover Letter for UK Visa 

• Write your cover letter for UK visa in simple and straightforward language.
• Use active voice to keep your sentences stronger and sound more personal. 
• Stay away from using idioms, colloquial words and jargon. Remember that it is a formal letter written for an official purpose. 
• Strictly adhere to the formatting guidelines and other requirements specific to the visa you are applying to. 

Cover Letter for Korean Visa

• Introduce yourself and then explain the purpose of the letter at the start. 
• Be honest. Do not fabricate any information to impress the visa officers. 
• Validate whether any info in your letter contradicts other documents in your visa application and if so, rectify that. 
• Mention explicitly how long you intend to stay in Korea and what you intend to do there during your stay– studies, business, visiting places etc.

Cover Letter for Swiss Visa

• Ensure that your cover letter for Swiss visa serves as a strong supporting document for your visa application. 
• At the start of the letter, include a proper salutation. In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and write the purpose of the letter. 
• End the letter with a polite former closing. E.g., “Yours sincerely/faithfully.” 
• Add details of the supporting documents you are including to prove your financial independence for the stay and travel through Switzerland. 

Cover Letter for Turkish Visa

• Write a short and concise cover letter for your Turkish visa. 
• Give details of your travel plans and include details of any official appointments. 
• If you are going to Turkey for higher studies, specify whether you have received admission from a recognised college or university. 
• Proofread your cover letter at least four times before submitting it to the concerned visa authority.

To conclude, a well-crafted cover letter for visa application is essential to convince the visa authorities to issue you the visa on time. 

By sticking to the information provided in this blog, you can prepare a convincing cover letter. 

We would like to know if you have questions regarding any of the topics covered in this blog. 

If so, let us know through the comment below and we will clarify them to you at the earliest. Wish you the best of luck with your visa processing.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

Should the cover letter for visa be formal.

Yes. Your cover letter for visa is an official document to include in the visa application and thus it should be written in a formal tone.

What to write in a visa application letter?

In your visa application letter, you must primarily focus on explaining your intentions behind applying for a visa to a certain country.

How can I make my visa application letter to embassy attractive?

To make your cover letter for visa attractive, write it in a proper format and structure. For instance, use an academically recognised font, font size, indentation etc. Also, write your points in equally sized paragraphs.

How long is a cover letter for visa?

The ideal length for a cover letter for visa application is 700 to 1000 words. It is important to keep it short, concise and straight to the point avoiding repetitions.

How many paragraphs should a visa cover letter have?

The number of paragraphs in a visa cover letter is not fixed. Depending on the points you have, you are free to decide how many paragraphs you wish to have. Usually, it would be 5 or more.

Do cover letters need dates?

Yes, the cover letter for visa is an official letter. Hence, it has to be written like any other type of formal letter, clearly specifying the date.

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A visa cover letter is required for visa applications since it acts as a supporting document for  visa officials who are assessing your application extra information and context. It is a formal letter that goes with your visa application materials and adds details about your travel itinerary, the reason for visiting, and other pertinent information. Therefore knowing importance of it, the blog guides you in writing a cover letter for visa application with sample visa cover letter for tourist visa

Table of Contents

How to write a cover letter for visa application?

Cover letter for visa application introduces you and provides details about your application to the consular or embassy staff members who will be looking through your papers. The visa cover letter should be succinct, understandable, and well-organized, emphasizing the crucial details that will support your visa application. Below are the few points mentioned  and sample cover letter for tourist visa that will help in  writing  cover letter for visa application.

What should be included in a visa cover letter?

Cover letter for visa application for any type of visa like tourist, business should include the following things.  An example of a broad outline for a sample visa cover letter  is provided below:

• Your Contact Information:
• Phone number
• Email address
• Date: Date of writing the letter
• Embassy/Consulate Contact Information:
• Name of the embassy/consulate
• Address of the embassy/consulate
• Salutation: Dear [Embassy/Consulate Officials],
• Introduction:
• Give a brief introduction about yourself.
• Specify the type of visa that you are applying for. It can be a tourist, business, employment, or student visa.
• Travel Details:
• Mention the date of arrival and the date of departure from the country. If you have booked the flight tickets, mention the details of the same.
• Mention the duration of your stay in the country.
• If you will be visiting any country on the side, before or after you visit the country the letter is intended towards, mention those details as well.
• Purpose of Visit:
• State the reason for your visit in a clear and precise manner. For example, the purpose can be tourism, business activities, taking part in a festival, visiting a citizen of that country, and so on.
• Give some insight into the activities that you plan to carry out during your stay, i.e. your itinerary..
• Financial Means:
• This refers to providing information on how you will sustain yourself financially in the country.
• In this section, you can also provide further information with regards to your financial situation, pre-paid expenses (such as accommodation and transportation), and personal funds.
• Accommodation:
• Provide the details of where you will be staying during your visit to the country. Attach the confirmation from your place of accommodation.
• In the event that you are staying with a host, provide brief details such as their name, contact number, and address, as proof.
• Intent to Return:
• To show that you intend to return home after your vacation, emphasise your deep ties to your native nation.
• Mention any obligations that require you to remain in your home country, such as your employment situation, family ties, property ownership, or any other obligations.
• Intent to comply with Immigration Laws:
• Declare that you’ll follow all applicable laws and regulations in the destination nation.
• Mention your plans to leave the country before the visa expires and return home.
• Conclusion:
• “Thank you for taking a look at my visa application.”
• Give the embassy/consulate staff your contact information and ask them to get in touch with you if they need any further information.
• Signing off:
• Your full name
• Signature:Sign your name above your printed name.

Remember to tailor the cover letter to your specific circumstances and follow any specific guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate.

Invitation letter for visa application

How important is cover letter for visa application?

Here are some reasons why a cover letter will help with the smooth passing of your visa application:

• Greeting and Objective: The cover letter provides a brief introduction to you and makes it clear why you are visiting. It aids the visa officers in comprehending your travel itinerary and the particular visa category you are seeking (such as tourist, business, or study).
• Justification of Travel Schedules : You can describe your travel arrangements in the cover letter, including the expected length of your visit, your schedule, and any particular activities or events you intend to attend. This aids the visa officers in determining the validity and viability of your travel arrangements.
• Supports your documents : You need to mention the supporting materials you are sending with your visa application . The visa officials will better comprehend the significance of each document and how it supports your application if you do this.
• Allows you to convey additional information : Any additional information that is pertinent to your visa application but may not be specifically required in the application form can be included in the cover letter. This can consist of information on your financial situation, your lodging choices, or other unique circumstances that you feel should be considered.
• Shows your intention to return to your home country: You can emphasise in a cover letter how closely you are connected to your homeland and how you plan to go back there following your vacation. Mentioning your home country’s obligations, such as your employment, family, property, or other obligations, is one way to do this. It also reassures the authority that you are planning to return and will not be violating any immigration laws or such.
• Speaks to your effort: A cover letter shows that you have taken the additional effort and have worked towards submitting a holistically sound visa application. It shows your commitment and gives you a chance to speak directly with the visa officers showing your degree of proficiency.

Sample Cover letter for tourist visa

You can find below , a sample cover letter for tourist visa to Australia for himself and his wife.

Date :…………….(Date of writing letter)

The Visa Officer

Australia High Commission

(Name of the participants) holder of passport no is associated with (Name of the Organization / firm), would be travelling to your country (purpose of travel) schedule to depart on 3Ctih September.

I / along with my wife (If applicable). would be traveling to your country. Enclosing my /our valid passports visa forms duly filled and signed with supporting documents for you kind perusal.

Requesting you to kindly considers and process me us the necessary visa and oblige. We would be highly obliged If you could do the needful at your earliest.

Thanking you Yours truly,

Name with Signature

You can also find here sample visa letter for applying France visa .

- Can I use one cover letter for all visa applications?

A cover letter for a visa application needs to be brief and direct. It should ideally be one page long. Focus on supplying material that will support your visa application rather than adding extraneous details.

Should the cover letter be typed or handwritten?

A computer is often advised to be used to type your cover letter. Cover letters written by hand may be challenging to read and may not seem professional. However, you must adhere to their instructions if the embassy or consulate expressly wants a handwritten cover letter.

How long should be cover letter for visa?

it should be about 400-500 words provided it includes all details required to share.

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Free Covering Letter for visa application

We often hear travellers wondering how and where to get a free covering letter for their visa application. You must be thinking, as if there aren’t enough things to think of and plan, here’s another addition to the long list of documents! We understand many of you must be confused as to what kind of a cover letter you need to submit to the embassy and why would you need one. In this article, we will help you understand all this and also tell you how you can easily obtain a free covering letter for your visa application in a hassle-free manner.

WHY DO YOU NEED A COVER LETTER?

We get this question a lot! Before we get down to discussing how to get a free covering letter, it is essential to know why you need one in the first place. Well, it is a mandatory requirement from many embassies that the applicant submits a professional letter to communicate the purpose of travel, explain what you intend to do in the host country, and in general, justify the need to apply for a visa. Moreover, this is also another way for the embassy to ensure that you are a genuine traveller who is either visiting for tourism purpose or a temporary business purpose. The covering letter acts as an assurance and validation of the claims you make on your visa application form. Think of it as a way to establish a connect with the embassy that get this one chance to form an opinion of you. And it’s important to ensure that they form a good first impression based on the documents provided by you so there are minimal chances of visa rejection.

Don’t worry if this all feels a little too overwhelming. Read on to find out how we can help you get the perfect free covering letter to go with your application! This covering letter, once submitted, is then matched by the embassy with the details of the flight reservation for visa as well as the hotel reservation for visa provided by you as part of the visa application process.

Do read our articles about  flight reservation for visa  and  hotel reservation for visa application  if you’d like to know more about them.

WHAT SHOULD YOU INCLUDE IN THE COVERING LETTER?

A covering letter is required for both tourist as well as business visas. The purpose of visit for both of these visas is different and that needs to come through in the covering letter you are planning to submit. When drafting the letter, there are a few components that must be covered so your covering letter does not have inadequate information.

The purpose of your travel to the destination country. Explain in detail what your travel plans are – personal, medical, educational or business. Proof of how you will fund your trip (own funds or sponsor). This can be typically done by attaching your bank statements if self-funded. If you have a sponsor, explain your personal relationship with your sponsor and the reason why they will be sponsoring your trip. For example, if your parents live in the destination country, you can mention that as part of the covering letter. An overview of your itinerary, which also explains why you chose to apply at the specific embassy. This section should contain your travel dates, duration and plans. If you have plans of travelling to multiple countries, do mention that as well. If at all there are any documents you cannot submit, specify the reasons why you cannot submit and explain alternative documents that you may have submitted Your intent to return to your home country. This is one of the most important deciding factors for your visa approval or rejection. A concise list of all supporting documents you have submitted.

SAMPLE COVERING LETTER

What you see below is a typical covering letter for visa application. It’s really not as complicated as it seems! As discussed above, the sample letter contains all important details of travel plan of the applicant clearly mentioned. There is no ambiguity, which makes the applicant sound genuine and ultimately leads to higher chances of visa approval.

HOW TO GET A FREE COVERING LETTER FOR VISA APPLICATION?

If you have been wondering and stressing about how to get a free covering letter that will help you get the visa, RELAX! That’s exactly what we are here for. At  Visa Reservation Services , we have years of experience in helping our customers go through the visa application process easily and without any glitches. We are here to take all the trouble for you so you can peacefully plan your family holiday or that important business trip. We have different kinds of packages for all kinds of travellers, to help make the visa application process a breeze. The packages typically include a  flight reservation for visa , a  hotel reservation for visa  as well as a  travel insurance for visa application , along with the free covering letter. Doesn’t this make life much simpler? You just pick one package that fits your needs and we get all documents sorted for you at a nominal fee! Do get in touch with our team to find out more details of how we can help you and how you can go about choosing a package on our website.

Last Updated: July 4th 2023

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Hi I`ve read your coverletter but I need one to copy for a investor from my neighbouring country to come over to my country and come for consultation purposes and to see that business is fully functional and operative so he needs to stay a few months,and the business is kind of a manufacturing business,and the countries involved are South Africa and Namibia down in the south point of Africa

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A comprehensive guide

A visa application cover letter is a letter where you list the documents you're sending with your visa application. It's usually addressed to the head of the immigration department in the country you're applying to.

In this article, you'll learn about:

✔ Cover letter requirements .

✔ An example of one and a downloadable template .

✔ How to upload your cover letter on the iVisa application form?

Cover letter requirements

When writing a cover letter, remember to include these key elements:

The date of the cover letter

An introduction

Your nationality

The type of visa you're applying for

The length and dates of your trip

The name of the cities and accommodations you’re staying in

The address of those accommodations

Your signature

Your full name

Your phone and passport number ​

Important: While it's not required, we strongly recommend including your current occupation and the length of your employment to improve your chances of approval.

See this example

Download your free template.

Please note: This sample we're sharing is a reference meant to guide you. The cover letter requirements can change according to the country you’re applying for. But don't worry! During your application, we will provide you with a specific sample if it’s needed.

How to upload your cover letter on the iVisa application form?

This is a guide in case you have already paid for your travel document and want to upload your cover letter on your application. If you haven’t applied for your travel product yet, haven’t paid it yet, or have missing information on your form, you can check these articles:

➡️ How to apply for a visa?

➡️ How to complete my application?

➡️ How to add missing information on your application form?

Make sure you are in your account with your application form displayed.

On the left side, you will see the sections of your application you need to complete. Fill them out before uploading your cover letter.

Once you filled them out, select the documents section.

After you select the documents section, a list of required documents you’ll need to upload will appear on the right side of the form.

Click on the “Add document” button.

Before you upload, read the instructions, to submit a government-compliant cover letter. When you’re ready, click on the “Upload” button.

To upload your cover letter, you can either:

Select a file from your computer.

Select a file from your phone, using a QR code.

Once you’ve selected your document, click on the “Save and close” button.

That’s it! After uploading your cover letter, you can continue uploading the rest of your documents and submit your application.

Get Cover letter for Visa Application in 5 minutes !!

by Lohith Kumar | Feb 12, 2024 | cover letter | 0 comments

For almost all visa applications, you will need to submit a document called as visa letter or cover letter (sometimes also called a personal cover letter). But there is rarely any consulate which provides you a sample of what they are looking for. But you need not worry; this article will show you how you can make a cover letter for visa application in under 5 minutes. This same format has been used by over 50,000 customers to get their visa approved by various consulates around the world. Note: The cover letter is the first document (in some cases the only document) the consulate will read to understand the whole summary of your visa application and help to make a case for the issuance of your visa.

You can download FlightGen App , create a login and make a cover letter for a visa in under 5 minutes.

Moreover, If you are applying for a tourist or business visa, you will need to submit a travel itinerary too and this requirement is handled by the cover letter that is created by this app.

What is a cover letter for visa application mean?

A cover letter is a document that provides all the important facts of a visa application, such as purpose of visit, travel dates, documents submitted and paper-work submitted for visa to make a case for the issuance of one’s visa application. A cover letter is the first document the visa officer would read, so it needs to sit on top of all the other documents you submit for your visa. It is also one of the most important one as the visa officer can cancel your visa application if he finds some inconsistances in your letter. Please note that the Cover Letter should be addressed to the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will visit, even if you are applying through a visa application center, such as VFS Global.

What details must be mentioned in a cover letter for visa application?

A cover letter for visa application is a document that explains the purpose of your visit to a foreign country and the nature of your relationship with the person inviting you. This letter is written to the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit and provides information about your trip, including your travel dates, the reason for your visit, and any additional information that may support your visa application. The cover letter for visa application is an important document that can help support your visa application and increase your chances of getting approved. With that said, a cover letter, like any formal letter, must contain the details of the person you are addressing, a subject explaining the purpose of your travel and who it is from, so the visa applicant’s name, phone number, and email (in case the consulate want to contact you for any clarification). But in addition, a good cover letter must also contain details such as the purpose of travel, your travel itinerary , documents you have submitted, and your work information.

So a good cover letter must have all the details mentioned below in the same order.

• Addressing the consulate
• Travel dates
• Countries of travel (If Schengen or visiting multiple countries, then see our cover letter for Schengen visa article )
• Purpose of travel.
• Day wise travel itinerary .
• Financial status
• proof of sustenance
• Your employment or business information
• Documents submitted for your visa.
• Your Contact information if the consulate wants to get in touch for some reason

Should I submit a cover letter for Schengen visa ?

Yes, a cover letter is needed for Schengen visa application, although it is not mentioned in the required documents for Schengen visa, it is your responsibility to provide a cover letter. The same is requested by VFSGlobal here.

Why do you need to submit a cover letter for visa application?

When your visa application is on the desk of the visa officer, the first document they would read is your cover letter as doing so will allow them to establish the genuineness of your trip along with proving that you have a strong intent to return your home country. A trained visa officer will be able to find gaps and inconsistencies in your visa application. For example, you have applied for 10 days Schengen visa with France but you are only staying in France for 2 days (with 5 days in Germany) based on your travel itinerary, then the visa officer can reject your visa application directing you to apply with Germany. Or maybe you have not submitted all the required documents for your visa to be approved, and then the visa officer may contact you and ask for additional information, if added in the cover letter.

What are the documents that must be mentioned in a cover letter for visa application?

This depends on the type of visa you are applying for as the documents you submit for tourist visa is different from a business visa. But there are a set of documents that is common for most of the visa types such as:

• A passport with at-least 6 months of validity from the date of visa approval.
• A completed visa form, or two visa forms in some cases.
• Any flight bookings or flight itinerary for visa.
• Proof of accommodation , such a hotel or resort bookings.
• Proof of sustenance, such as bank statements, credit cards, or a sponsorship letter.
• Photo as per visa specification
• Proof of ties to your home country, such as your home, tax payments, or electricity bills.
• Proof of work, such as an employment letter or certificate of incorporation for your company.
• A travel itinerary with a day-wise breakup of your activity once your visa is approved.

Along with these, you may need to submit other documents based on your visa type.

How to write a cover letter for visa application?

If you use FlightGen App , there is no need to write a cover letter yourself. You will be asked a set of questions such as personal information, work information, travel itinerary, and visa documents, in a simple wizard-like format. After you answer them, you will be able to create your cover letter for visa application which is perfectly formatted for your visa type.

But if you want to write one yourself, you are free to use our sample cover letters and create one for your needs. While drafting it, please keep the following in mind.

• Find out the address of the consulate and address them formally. like Honurable consulate of France.
• Know your trip start dates and end dates along with a plan of what you intent to do that day, like a travel itinerary.
• Mention all the bookings you have made for your travel such as flight tickets, hotel bookings, travel insurance.
• A solid travel reason must be given in brief, at-least 2 or 3 lines will be expected.
• List out all the documents you are going to submit for your trip.
• Finally undersign the cover letter with your details.

Sample cover letter for visa application Template

you can use the sample mentioned below to create your own cover letter.

Or use the below pdf template to draft your letter.

And here is a sample which you can copy and edit directly if you need to on a word document.

Cover letter created using FlightGen App Consulate of Japan Unioninkatu 20-22, 00130 Helsinki, Finland Apr 2, 2023 Subject: Approval of my Tourist Visa with Japan Consulate Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to visit Japan for tourism between Aug 10, 2023 and Aug 14, 2023 Travel Purpose:   To visit my friends who are staying in Hiroshima and Kyoto and go on a trip to explore the ancient temples of Japan. As Finland citizen, I need to get a Tourist Visa for the same. This would explain the details of my trip and make a case for the issuance of my visa.

• Aug 10, 2023 : Mount Fuji
• Aug 11, 2023 : Imperial Tokyo
• Aug 12, 2023 : Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
• Aug 13, 2023 : Historic Kyoto
• Aug 14, 2023 : The island shrine ofitsukushima, miyajima

I am currently working at To do as Engineer I am the bearer of the expense of this trip. I am following the requirements as mentioned on the Japan consulate website. Please find enclosed the following documents to support my Australia Tourist Visa application

• Proof of visa fee paid.
• Original and copy of my passport with minimum 6 months validity
• Flight itinerary from an agent . The itinerary will be ticketed once visa is approved.
• Bank statement from my sponsorer for this trip.
• Travel Insurance for the duration of my stay as per visa specifications mentioned on the
• consulate site
• Duly filled visa application form
• My employment contract
• Travel Itinerary during my trip as mentioned above.

I trust you will find that everything is in order. If you need to contact me for further clarification or additional details on my application my details are below.I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Date: Mar 30 ( Kai ) Ph : 25417863900 Email: [email protected]

Format for a cover letter for Visa Application.

When creating a visa letter to the embassy, as shown above a perfect format to follow would be in the below order.

• Address and Date : Include your full name, address, email, and the current date at the top of the letter.
• Embassy/Consulate Information : Include the name and address of the embassy or consulate processing your visa application.
• Subject : Mention the intent of your letter in one line. 
• Salutation : Address the embassy or consulate using “Dear Sir/Madam,” or a specific name or title if available.
• Purpose of Travel : Clearly state the purpose of your travel, whether it’s for tourism, business, or studying abroad.
• Itinerary : Provide a detailed itinerary of your trip, including the dates of travel, duration of stay, and the places you plan to visit.
• Accommodation and Transportation : Provide information about your accommodation and transportation arrangements, including hotel bookings and flight reservations.
• Financial Situation : Demonstrate your financial situation, including how you plan to fund your trip and provide supporting documents such as bank statements or income tax returns.
• Ties to Your Home Country : Emphasize your ties to your home country, such as employment, property ownership, or family responsibilities.
• Intention to Return : Convey your intention to return home after your visit and provide a specific date if possible.
• Conclusion : Thank the embassy or consulate for considering your application and attach any necessary documents, such as a completed visa application form or additional supporting materials.
• Signature : Sign your name in ink above your typed name to finalize the letter.

Cover letter Samples for visa Application

The format of a cover letter depends on the type of visa you are applying for. For instance you will need to give a day-wise breakup of your trip if you are applying for tourist visa, but for student of work visa, it is not necessary. In the following sections, we will show you various formats of cover letter based on on visa types.

Cover letter for Schengen visa Application

Schengen visa is unique as it allows you to apply for one visa to visit 27 countries. So you will need to add the other countries that you are planning to visit in your visa letter to the embassy. You can look at our cover letter for Schengen visa application article to get an in-depth information.

Here is a sample cover letter for Schengen visa

Cover letter created using FlightGen App Consulate of Germany House, 9th Floor, Hoechst, 193, Backbay Reclamation, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021 Sept 20 2022 Subject: Approval of my Schengen Tourist Visa with Germany Consulate

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to visit Germany for tourism between Oct 6, 2022 and Oct 13, 2022 I will also be travelling to Spain & Portugal Travel Purpose: I am visiting Germany for my vacations. I intend to backpack from Munich to Salzburg and Hallstatt. I will also be going to Barcelona and Lisbon As Sri Lankan citizen, I need to get a Schengen Tourist Visa for the same.This would explain my trip and provide concrete reasons for the approval of my visa.

• Oct 6, 2022 : Land in Munich from Mumbai & check into my hotel
• Oct 7, 2022 : Visit BMW Weldt and take a stroll around the city.
• Oct 8, 2022 : Take a day tour to visit Bayern Munich stadium and take a tour to see all their trophies won. Travel to Vienna
• Oct 9, 2022 : visit Skywalk and visit some pubs in the night
• Oct 10, 2022 : back to Austria and visit Schonbrunn palace
• Oct 11, 2022 : Take a train from vienna to Lisbon
• Oct 12, 2022 : travel from Lisbon to Barcelona.
• Oct 13, 2022 : fly back toMumbai from Barcelona

I am currently working at Swiggy as Delivery Agent. I am the bearer of all my travel expenses on this trip. I am following the requirements as mentioned on the German consulate website. Please find enclosed the following documents to support my Schengen Tourist Visa application:

• Proof of the visa fee paid
• Original and copy of my passport with minimum 6-month validity
• Flight itinerary from an agent. The itinerary will be ticketed once the visa is approved.
• Bank statement from my sponsor for this trip.
• Travel Insurance for the duration of my stay as per visa specifications mentioned on the consulate site

I trust you will find that everything is in order. If you need to contact me for further clarification or additional details on my application my details are below.I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Date: Dec 1, 2022 ( James Matter ) Ph : +85134579449 Email:  [email protected]

Sample Cover letter for tourist visa application

For tourist visa application, you will need to add a day-wise travel itinerary here is a sample article for tourist visa. to know more about cover letter for tourist visa application.

Cover letter created using FlightGen App Consulate of Singapore 9 Wilton Cres, London SW1X 8SP, United Kingdom Mar 30, 2023

Subject: Approval of my Tourist Visa with Singapore Consulate Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to visit Singapore for tourism between Nov 26, 2023 and Nov 30, 2023 . Travel Purpose:   To explore Sentosa islands and indulge in the culinary delights of Singapore. As United Kingdom citizen, I need to get a Tourist Visa for the same.This would explain the details of my trip and make a case for the issuance of my visa.

• Nov 26, 2023 : Marina Bay
• Nov 27, 2023 : Gardens by the Bay
• Nov 28, 2023 : Sentosa
• Nov 29, 2023 : Universal Studios
• Nov 30, 2023 : Clarke Quay

I am currently working at Swiggy as Delivery Agent. I am the bearer of all my travel expenses on this trip. I am following the requirements as mentioned on the Singapore consulate website. Please find enclosed the following documents to support my Schengen Tourist Visa application

I trust you will find that everything is in order. If you need to contact me for further clarification or additional details on my application my details are below.I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Date: Mar 30 ( James Matter ) Ph : +85134579 Email:  james @iicoud.com

Sample cover letter for business visa application

When drafting a cover letter for business visa, it is very important to be clear about the reason for the travel and who is the bearer of the expenses. is an important question to answer. Here is a sample cover letter for business visa purpose. to know more about cover letter for a business visa application

Cover letter created using FlightGen App Consulate of Germany 9 Wilton Cres, London SW1X 8SP, United Kingdom Mar 30, 2023

Subject: Approval of my Schengen Business Visa with German Consulate Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to visit Germany for business purpose between Apr 26, 2024 and May 30, 2024 . Travel Purpose:   To partner with Ruth company to establish our business ties to build multiple ships from our shipyard in Kerala, India As an Indian citizen, I need to get a business Visa for the same. This travel itinerary would explain the details of my trip and make a case for the issuance of my visa.

• Apr 26, 2024 : Land in Germany
• Apr 27, 2024 : Checkin to my hotel and meet all the directors of Ruth company
• Apr 28, 2024 : Inspect the shipping yard of the conglomerate.
• Apr 29, 2024 : Meeting with the stakeholder in Ruth Company in Wolfsburg
• Apr 30, 2024 : Gather requirements for the trip.
• May 26 2024: Fly back to India

I am currently working at Marketting as Project Manager . I am the bearer of all my travel expenses on this trip. I am following the requirements as mentioned on the Singapore consulate website. Please find enclosed the following documents to support my Schengen Tourist Visa application:

I trust you will find that everything is in order. If you need to contact me for further clarification or additional details on my application my details are below.I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Date: Mar 30, 2024 ( James Matter ) Ph : +85134579 Email:  james @iicoud.com

Sample cover letter for visitor visa Application

If you are applying for a visitor visa, then a travel itinerary might not be necessary to be added in your visa letter to the embassy. But more importantly, you will need to mention who is handling the expenses of the trip ? Is it yourself or the sponsor? . To know more about cover letter for visitor visa ,

Cover letter created using FlightGen App Consulate of Italy 56, Richmond Rd, Craig Park Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025 Mar 30, 2023

Subject: Approval of my Schengen Visitor Visa with Italian Consulate Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to visit Italy for visitation purpose between Apr 26, 2024 and May 6, 2024 . Travel Purpose:   To stay with my son who lives in Rome, he is married to an Italian citizen and have a child. I will be going to Italy to spend 10 days with my grand daughter. As an Indian citizen, I need to get a Schengen visitor Visa for the same.

I am currently working at Retired. I am the bearer of all my travel expenses on this trip. I am following the requirements as mentioned on the Singapore consulate website. Please find enclosed the following documents to support my Schengen Tourist Visa application:

• Other proof of means to pay for the trip
• Copy of my Spouse passport who is an EU citizen
• Employment letter with designation and job start date in the EU country
• My host provided an official affidavit from a gazetted office.

I trust you will find that everything is in order. If you need to contact me for further clarification or additional details on my application my details are below.I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Date: Mar 30, 2024 ( Ramani Iyer ) Ph : +91134579933 Email:  [email protected]

What are the other Travel Visa Documents other than Cover Letter?

The important other visa documents other than cover letter are:

Invitation Letter for Visa

NOC letter for Visa

Dummy Ticket / Dummy Flight Ticket

Flight Itinerary

Travel Itinerary

Travel Insurance

Proof of Accommodation / Dummy Hotel Booking

Other articles related to Cover letter for Schengen visa

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Cover Letter For Visa Application

An in-depth guide for 2024.

Are you wondering what a cover letter looks like?

Worried about preparing a strong visa application letter ? 

Or are you here for writing guidelines to enhance your visa cover letter ?

If so, you have landed in the right place. Our team of professional writers can help you write the perfect letter to embassy for visa request . By going through this writing guide, you can easily write a cover letter to apply for any type of visa, be it tourist visa, business visa, student visa or a work visa.

Table of Contents

What is a cover letter for visa application.

Cover Letter for Visa Application is a formal document submitted to the corresponding embassy to explain your reason for visiting the particular country. It is written in a professional tone and is submitted alongside your visa application form and other supporting documents.

Why is a Cover Letter important for Visa Application?

A Visa Application Letter serves various purposes and is thus an indispensable part of your visa application process. We have listed below the reasons why a cover letter plays this crucial role:

• You can clearly state your purpose for visiting the particular country, whether it is for study, business, work or sightseeing.
• A cover letter gives you the opportunity to add more details than other documents, emphasising your reasons to visit the country.
• You can provide justification to any adverse events like gaps in resume, reasons for career switch etc, if any.
• You can prove your English proficiency, attention to detail, formatting skills, etc through a well-written visa application letter.
• Through a cover letter you can give a full account of your previous and current experiences that make you eligible for the visa.

Key Elements to Include in a Visa Application Letter

Besides your purpose for travel , most visa application processes outline a set of elements that you must highlight in your cover letter for embassy . Though it varies from visa types, your cover letter must include these important points:

• Personal information:

Your cover letter must include your full name, passport details, phone number, address, as well as your personal background. 

• Applicant’s background:

You should mention your educational and professional credentials in your cover letter for visa application . 

Together with your arrival and departure timings, your cover letter must provide details of your travel plan including the flight details, places you plan to visit, etc. 

• Details regarding accommodation:

You should mention the details of your hotel booking or other arrangements made for your accommodation in your visa cover letter . 

• Financial information:

You must demonstrate your source of funding for your visit to the country whether it is personal, bank loan, sponsor, etc. 

• Intention to return to home country:

Your visa application letter should clearly explain your ties with your home country and prove your intentions to return after the desired visa tenure. 

• Contact information:

Ensure that you provide your email address, phone number or address in your cover letter for any clarifications or further queries. 

• Supporting documents:

Your cover letter for embassy must also enclose documents like bank statements, offer letters, educational transcripts, etc. to support your statements. 

How to Write a Cover Letter for Visa Application?

Writing a visa cover letter is not a simple task as it requires a close eye for attention. However, we have got you covered as this guide is prepared for you! 

We have compiled the following to facilitate your writing process and build your confidence to produce a strong visa application letter :

• Writing Guidelines 

Cover letter format for visa

• Download Sample Cover Letter 
• Formatting guidelines 
• Additional Tips For Writing 

Guidelines to help you Write Your Personalized Cover Letter For Embassy

A cover letter for visa application must be personalised, making you stand out from the rest. We have prepared this list of guidelines to help you draft one seamlessly:

• Research the requirements: Ensure that you learn the requirements of your visa type you are planning to apply for. You can contact the embassy or consulate if you are getting confused by online resources.
• Provide address and contact information: Ensure that you include your phone number, residential address and email address before you start the cover letter
• Address the letter correctly: Use the appropriate salutation as well as mailing address pertaining to the recipient (visa officer or concerned authority).
• Demonstrate genuine interest: Do not forget to express your intention to abide by the visa regulations, respect the country and return to your home country after the visa period is over.
• Include your travel history: You can add your previous experiences of international travel where you have successfully adhered to the visa regulations and prove your authenticity.
• Add personal anecdotes: You can personalise your cover letter by mentioning incidents from your life circumstances, educational or professional achievements etc.

A cover letter format for visa would give you a roadmap on how to structure the elements in a professional fashion. Hence, using a good format and referring to one while writing can improve the quality of your cover letter. 

• Your contact information:

A cover letter is written in a professional business letter format that starts with your (sender’s) full name, address, phone number, etc. 

 Mention the date on which you are drafting the cover letter for visa application . 

• Recipient information:

 Correctly mention the respective embassy or consulate information like name of recipient, his/her job title, department etc. 

• Salutation:

You can start the cover letter with a formal greeting. You can address the reviewer with their appropriate title to show respect. 

• Introduction:

 You can start by introducing yourself, the reason for writing the cover letter and the particular visa you are applying for. 

Your body paragraphs can clarify why you intend to visit the country. You can address all the unique requirements like reason for travel, ties to home country, financial sufficiency, duration and itinerary of the trip etc.

• Attachments:

You must list the documents you are additionally attaching in order to support the claims made in the body paragraphs. 

• Conclusion:

You can conclude the cover letter by thanking the visa officer for considering your application. You can also express openness to provide any further detail if required. 

Use a formal closing to end the cover letter, and ensure that you leave enough space to put your signature.

Cover Letter For Visa Application Template

Now that you have referred to a cover letter format for visa , a template can give you a clearer idea of the structure. Our professional writers have prepared this template to show you how to go about the task at hand:

(Your Name)

(Your Address)

(Your Email)

(Embassy/Consulate Address)

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is (your name) and I hold the (name of country) passport (passport number). I am writing this letter in support of my (business/student/work/tourist) visa application to visit (name of country). I am excited to travel to (name of city/cities) from DD.MM.YYYY to DD.MM.YYYY and would be much obliged to be granted the visa for the same. 

My intention to visit (name of country) is (description about the purpose of visit). I look forward to (details of travel itinerary, study plan, business meetings, employment contract). 

My visit to (country) is funded by (myself/name of sponsor and relationship with him/her). I have (your financial assets and how you intend on funding your trip using them). I have attached the bank statements and property documents for your kind perusal. 

As scheduled, I plan to return to my home country on DD.MM.YYYY by (flight details). (explain the ties you have to your home country and your motivation to return after the visa tenure). 

I would like to extend my gratitude for your consideration. Please find my (all the attachments) enclosed with this letter. 

Sincerely, 

(Your Signature)

Download Sample Cover Letter to embassy for visa request Pdf

A good sample cover letter for visa application can provide you with the right motivation to get started on yours. Through the sample given below, you will be able to get a clear picture of what a cover letter should look and sound like:

June 16, 2023

The Visa Officer

Canada High Commission

Subject: Anamika Singh, Passport XXXXX , Tourist Visa application

My name is Anamika Singh and I am an Indian citizen holding passport number XXXXXX. I am writing to apply for a Tourist Visa to visit Canada from DD.MM.YYYY to DD.MM.YYYY. The purpose of my visit is purely personal as I am looking forward to attending my friend, Satya Kumari’s engagement ceremony scheduled on DD.MM.YYYY and touring in Canada with her to explore the natural beauty fostered by the country. 

Travel Plan for 2 weeks

My intended period of stay in Canada is 2 weeks. I intend to arrive at DD.MM.YYYY at (name of airport) and head straight to (address) where my friend Satya stays. The next day we plan to go shopping at (name of place). I have set aside the next two days to help her set the operations and logistics of her engagement ceremony. After the engagement ceremony and after party on DD.MM.YYYY, I intend to spend the weekend in (name of city). 

On DD.MM.YYYY, both Satya and I have decided to visit (names of popular destinations). We have reservations at (name of hotel) and we intend to explore the picturesque and offbeat places in and around (name of city). On DD.MM.YYYY, I plan to board (flight number) (at flight timing) to return back to my home country.

Personal Information

I was born on DD.MM.YYYY to a middle class family in Mumbai, India. My father, Ravinder Singh is a retired defence personnel and my mother, Aarti Singh is a retired private school teacher. Though they have been the backbone of my entire existence, I have been taking charge of the responsibilities at home lately as they are approaching their old age with every passing day. 

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and am a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (UK) since YYYY. I am currently working with the Strategy team at KPMG Mumbai and am drawing an annual salary of XXXXXX. 

Details of my friend in Canada

My travel plan to visit Canada is primarily focused on celebrating my close friend, Satya Kumari’s engagement with Krish Sultania. My friendship with Satya dates back to our college days in YYYY and I am excited for her big day. She currently resides at (address) where I intend to spend my first week of visit. She works as a Finance Manager 2 at the Royal Bank of Canada and is available at (phone number) and (email id) for any queries. 

Incentive to return home

I have been raised in a very intimate and loving family. Hence, I cannot afford to prolong my stay in Canada. I have to return to my parents who will be depending on my cousin sister, Sheila Singh who is currently in town for her semester break from college. Moreover, I have to come back to take care of Casper, our 4 year old German Shepherd. I share an inseparable bond with him and neither do my parents nor Sheila have the energy to entertain him. 

Besides all these, I have to resume my job at KPMG after this 2 week break. I also have a close group of friends in Mumbai and I am very connected with the city. Hence, I intend to board the flight back to my permanent home on DD.MM.YYYY. 

Financial details 

My visit to Canada is fully funded by myself. I have estimated the total expenditure to be around CAD XXXXX and I have been maintaining a bank balance of Rs XXXXX in my savings account for the past 4 years. I have hereby attaching all the bank statements for your kind consideration. 

I have attached the following documents to this letter:

• Visa application form
• Passport size photographs
• Travel insurance 
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Hotel reservation details
• Bank statements

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing a positive response from your end and being there for my friend on such a beautiful occasion. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Anamika Singh

Formatting guidelines to produce a strong visa application letter

A well-structured and formatted visa cover letter can increase the readability and enhance the credibility of your application. You must consider these formatting guidelines:

Cover Letter After Visa Refusal

Have you faced a visa rejection and delayed your plan to fly abroad? Don’t worry, writing a faultless cover letter after visa refusal can help you tackle the problem and make your path clear. A cover letter after visa refusal is a crucial document that helps you address the faults pointed out by the Visa officer while rejecting your primary visa application. So let’s look in detail at the common reasons for visa rejection and how they can be fixed.

What are the reasons for Rejection of your visa Application?

There can be numerous reasons for visa rejection, as each application differs in its nature, country being applied to, visa policies and requirements, types of visa being applied to, etc. Below is a list of the most common reasons for the visa rejections; understand them and take care to avoid them in your cover letter for visa application.

• Inaccurate or Incomplete Application: Failure to provide sufficient documents, inaccurate filling of application, omission of required information, etc. can be a major reason for visa rejection.
• Inadequate fund: The most common reason for a visa rejection is the inability of the candidate to prove their financial sufficiency to fund the trip.
• Inability to show strong ties to the home country: Candidate has to provide strong ties to the home country in terms of family, property, and employment. Failure to provide the same will result in visa rejection.
• Criminal record: Considering the security of the citizens of the host country, candidates with criminal history would be denied a visa to enter the country.
• Lack of clear travel purpose: Failure to provide a concrete reason to travel, like business meetings, tourism, function, etc. will lead to rejection of your visa application.
• Submission of fraudulent documentation: Submission of false documents, like invitation letters, travel itineraries, bank statements, employment records, can lead to immediate rejection of visa application and potential legal actions against the candidate.
• History of Overstaying on previous visa: Records of overstaying in the previous visa in any country including the one chosen may result in the denial of visa.
• Inadequate travel insurance: In order to travel to some countries, applicants may require valid travel insurance coverage and failure to provide the same would result in visa rejection.
• Health or security concerns: Health and security concerns of the candidate can also be a major reason for the visa rejection. If the candidate has a medical condition that could strain the health care system of the destined country, or if the candidate has a security concern, visa would be denied.

Remember, each country has their own visa requirements and criteria, so it is vital to understand and fulfill necessary visa conditions and requirements before applying for a visa.  Since a visa approval is solely based on the visa officer’s discretion, there would be cases where a visa can be rejected without a solid reason.  

How do I write a visa cover letter when a visa application has been rejected?

Write the below paragraph in Bulletpoints

Writing a visa cover letter after visa rejection is a challenging task. But with a positive and detailed approach you can address the reasons for rejection and write a compelling cover letter for visa application. Following the below mentioned steps will help you write an impeccable cover letter for visa application. 

• Address the letter properly
• Express your disappointment
• Understand and address the reason for rejection
• Highlight the changes made in the application 
• Conclude with a positive note

Additional Tips For Writing Your Cover Letter for Visa Application

Keep these tips in mind to help you draft a unique and personalised visa cover letter :

• Use clear and straightforward sentences in your cover letter. Do not provide any vague statements that give rise to circumstance for ambiguity.
• Follow the formatting guidelines and ensure that it is organised well. Make sure that the spacing and font is consistent throughout the document.
• Use a formal yet enthusiastic tone. Do not use colloquial terms or slang that may cause confusion.
• Proofread carefully and check for any errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation.
• Do refer to samples for inspiration, but ensure that you refrain from copying the same. Plagiarism will discredit your application.

What are the Types of Visa Cover Letters?

There are different types of visa categories and thus cover letters for each are unique to the same. Listed below are the various types of visa cover letters you will come across:

• Cover Letter for Tourist Visa: Tourist Visa requires you to produce a cover letter that clearly states your arrival and departures dates, details of your flight and hotel bookings, your itinerary, your travel history, etc.
• Cover Letter for Business Visa: Your business meetings, plans, and events that you expect to attend in the particular country should be highlighted in your cover letter. You must also mention how your visit would help the country’s business environment to impress the immigration officer.
• Cover letter for Student visa: You should stress your intention to pursue the specific study program in the concerned country in the cover letter for student visa. It must also include your prior academic and professional experiences, your links to your home country, and your career goals.
• Cover letter for Work Visa: Your cover letter must include details about your educational background, professional experience, employment offer to work in that particular country, etc., as well as how you could enhance the labour market there.
• Cover letter for Dependent visa: A dependent visa cover letter should essentially describe the applicant's relation to the principal visa holder. You can demonstrate both the applicant's economic dependence and the requirement that they stay with the primary visa holder.
• Cover letter for Spouse visa: Your cover letter for a spouse visa should emphasise your total commitment to relocating overseas with your spouse. In addition to proving the authenticity of your relationship, it should also mention your spouse's residency status.
• I-129F cover letter - This cover letter is submitted by a US citizen along with a Form I-129F to bring their fiance of a foreign origin to get married in the country. The cover letter must explain the couple’s individual personal information, history of their relationship as well as their intention to marry.

Visa Application Letters for Popular Countries

Every country has their unique set of requirements for the visa cover letters. We have listed below the most popular countries and the main elements to include in the same: 

• Cover letter for Schengen visa:
• Purpose of your visit in Schengen Area
• Detailed itinerary of your trip 
• Proof of financial sufficiency 
• Intentions to return to home country 
• Cover letter for Australia:
• Reason to visit Australia
• Reason why the visit will align with your future goals
• Itinerary of your trip
• Ties to home country
• Cover letter for Japan:
• Reason to visit Japan
• Travel plan and itinerary 
• Financial information
• Intention to respect laws, culture and regulations of Japan
• Cover letter for UK visa application:
• Purpose to visit the UK
• Itinerary and planned activities 
• Details of financial sufficiency 
• Strong ties to home country
• Cover letter for US visa application:
• Reason for visiting the US with specific details 
• Close connections in the US like friends, family, etc
• Understanding of the US culture, regulations and customs
• Previous visits to the US if any
• Cover letter for Canada visa:
• Purpose of visiting Canada
• Reason to choose Canada
• Detailed travel plan 
• Understanding of Canadian culture, tourist places, etc.
• Cover letter for New Zealand visa application:
• Purpose to visit New Zealand
• Your research on the offerings of New Zealand
• How the visit can contribute to your growth
• Commitment to comply with New Zealand’s biosecurity measures, immigration laws, etc. 
• Cover letter for France visa:
• Purpose of visiting France with specific details 
• Interest in French culture, history, etc. 
• Proficiency in French and previous visit to any French-speaking regions
• Any connections in France and how they plan to support your visit
• Cover letter for Turkey visa
• Purpose to visit Turkey and detailed itinerary 
• Knowledge and interest in Turkish culture, historical sites, etc.
• Any prior experiences or connections in Turkey 
• Any particular events or attractions in Turkey that piqued your interest
• Cover letter for Switzerland visa
• Purpose of visit and prepared itinerary 
• Reason why Switzerland is the preferred choice
• Knowledge of Swiss values, customs, etc. and respect for the same
• Any connections in Switzerland and how they will contribute to your experience

Final Checklist For Writing a Visa Cover Letter

A checklist will help you keep better track of your progress and let us help you:

• Have I clearly understood the specific requirements of the visa I am applying for?

Have I addressed the embassy or consulate in an appropriate manner?

• Is my purpose of visit clearly stated in my visa application letter ?
• Have I furnished all the supporting documents to support my claims?
• How many times have I proofread and revised the cover letter?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, you can refer to templates while writing a cover letter for your visa application. However, ensure that you tailor it to your application and include your personal experiences to stand out. 

Your cover letter should ideally be 1 – 2 pages long. 

No, it is not necessary to submit cover letters for every visa type. However, it is mandated by some countries. Consult with the consulate or embassy to learn about the requirements. 

Yes, a well-structured cover letter that clearly addresses every specific visa requirement can increase the credibility and authenticity of your application. 

Yes, you can definitely hire professional writers to draft a strong and convincing cover letter for your visa application.

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Mr. Sugathan is the founder of Professional Writing Services. He is an Army veteran who served the nation for more than two decades. During his tenure, he was involved in a lot of documentation and secretarial works. He has been drafting letters and documents on a daily basis.

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In this article

Writing an Invitation Letter for a Visa Application

Comprehensive guide to writing an invitation letter for your visa application, with free samples and tips.

Embassies around the world, often ask for documents that seem confusing, especially to travelers that apply for the first time for a visa. However, with a little bit of work the applicant can find out a lot about each document, how to obtain it, and why it is needed.

A letter of invitation is among the documents that first-time-applicants have difficulties understanding its purpose. Actually, everything related to a Letter of Invitation is pretty simple and easy.

If you’re unsure about writing an invitation letter yourself, then we can help.

You can order your fully personalized letter here at VisaGuide.World and have it delivered within 24 hours!

Get Help With Writing an Invitation Letter for Now!

How to Order a Customized Letter of Invitation for Visa Application?

You can have an Invitation Letter delivered directly to your inbox by following these quick steps:

• Choose your package . You can choose two types of packages: the Regular and Express package.
• Finish the applicable fee payment. To finish the payment, you must give your personal details, including your first name, last name, country of residence, email address, and details from your credit card. The payment can be done with a credit card or PayPal.
• Complete the Invitation Letter form. Fill out the form with correct and sincere information about you, your guest, and the entry and departure date. Also, ensure you provide correct information regarding the embassy or consulate to which you submit the invitation letter.
• Submit the request. After you finish the invitation letter form with all the correct information, press complete. After that, we will receive your invitation letter form and provide you with the first draft of your letter.
• Receive your invitation letter in your inbox. We will send you the completed invitation letter form as a PDF within two to three days, depending on the type of package you choose.
• Print the Letter of Invitation. After receiving the invitation letter, print it, sign it, and send it to your guest. Your guest must send the invitation letter to the appropriate Embassy.

What is an Invitation Letter for Visa Application?

An Invitation Letter for a visa application is a letter that the applicant has to submit to the embassy or consulate where they are applying for a visitor visa.

This document is written by the applicant’s host and addressed either to the applicant or to the consular officer, confirming that they will accommodate the applicant in their home for the whole period of their stay in the country where the host lawfully resides.

What are the Requirements to Write a Letter of Invitation?

The host must fulfill the following requirements in order for the letter of invitation to be valid:

• must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the country you plan on visiting
• must be your friend, boyfriend / girlfriend or family member / relative
• must have a registered place (home, flat)
• must have enough room for the applicant

The Letter of Invitation is not required by every embassy in the world, but it is strongly recommended to submit one even if not required.

How to Write a Letter of Invitation for Visa Application?

To many it might sound confusing, but writing a letter of invitation might be the easiest part of your visa application, if you have rightly understood what it serves for. The letter has to be written by the guest and addressed either to you or to the consular officer. Some embassies have their own invitation form, therefore, make sure to check about it when you get the checklist of visa required documents. If they already have a form, then your host will only have to fulfill the empty spaces with the right information.

But even if they do not, below we have listed some samples which you can use by replacing the information according to your case.

When writing an invitation letter, the main thing the writer has to keep in mind, is that the letter must include some important details, of the host and the guest. The letter must contain the following information about the host:

• Date of birth
• Telephone number
• Type of home (owned / rent house / flat / room)
• Host’s status in the host country (If the host is residing in that country a work visa, student visa, permanent resident, or is a citizen or any other legal status)

On the other side, the letter must also include the following information about the guest:

• Full name as shown on their International Passport
• The person’s address and telephone number
• Relationship between the host and the guest
• The purpose of the trip (friendly visit, holiday, wedding, birthday party.)
• Exact entry date and exit date

If the letter is addressed to the guest do not make it sound too official. It is better if it sounds more personal and friendlier rather than formal, so that the consular officer can have a better sight of the relationship between the host and the guest.

Still haven’t written your invitation letter for a visa application?

Our dedicated team of professionals and experts will help you with writing a fully personalized invitation letter and deliver it to you within 24 hours!

Order your personalized invitation letter here

Letter of Invitation Supporting Documents

As mentioned above, in many embassies the Letter of Invitation is not a requirement, therefore the host is not obliged to send other documents alongside with it. Still, even if the letter is a requirement or not, it would be very thoughtful if the applicant submitted any of the following documents alongside with the Letter of Invitation:

• A scanned copy of host’s ID / passport
• Evidence of means of subsistence (if the host will financially support the guest)
• Proof of home / flat ownership or rental contract
• An Itinerary of the places planned to visit together
• If the host has taken days off from work to be with you during your period of stay in their country, then submitting a document that proves that would be in your favor

Where to Submit the Letter of Invitation?

The letter is submitted by the guest at the embassy or consulate along with the visa document file. The host must scan it and send it to the guest, who will later submit it with the other supporting documents on the day of their appointment at the embassy or consulate.

Invitation Letter Samples

A fixed method or style of writing an invitation letter does not exist. It is up to the writer to decide what he or she wants to include in their letter. As long as the letter contains the above listed details among others, then the letter is just fine.

Format and Sample of Invitation Letter addressed to the Embassy

[Dat e] The [country] Embassy, [Address]

Letter of Invitation for [Visitor’s Name]: Passport No:XXX77777

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing this letter to support the visitor visa application for [Visitor’s Name].

She / he is fully resident in [country], and is my [relationship]. She / he lives at [Visitor’s Address] and their home phone number is (YY)XXXXXXX.

I am a legal permanent resident of the [Guest’s Home Country], and I live at [Guest’s Home Address], and I work as [Guest’s Occupation] – with a net income of $XXX per year. I would like [Visitor’s Name] to come and visit me from [Date of Entry] to [Date of Exit] because of [you might give a reason as wedding, birthday, baby shower, graduation, etc.]

My request is that she / he would be granted with a visa for this whole period, in which time I would be fully responsible and cater to her / his well being. She / he will also be resident at my home, and following the expiration of her / his visa, I will see that [Visitor’s name] return to her / his home country.

Kindly find attached, all necessary documentation required.

Thanks in anticipation of your favorable response

Sincerely [Host’s Name] [Host’s Date of Birth] [Host’s Address] [Host’s Phone Number] [Host’s signature]

Sample of Invitation Letter addressed to the guest

Dear [Visitor’s Name],

As a follow-up to our phone conversation, please take this as a formal invitation to visit me in [country]. It’s been a long time since I last saw you [use a word that would describe your relationship: mom / dad / sister / my friend / my love etc.] and I am full of excitement that you will finally be able to meet all the people who have made my stay in [country] so beautiful.

While you are here, I will be responsible for your accommodation, feeding and movement around [country] from the day you arrive from [Visitor’s Home country] on [Entry Date] until the day you leave on [Date of Exit].

Herewith I am sending all the required documents for getting the necessary visa from the [country] Embassy.

Can’t wait to meet you here

[Host’s name] [Full address] [Country] Occupation: [Host’s occupation] Phone Numbers: Work: [(xxx) xxx-xxxx] Home: [(xxx) xxx-xxxx] Email: [email address] [Signature]

• Writing an invitation letter for a Canada visa application
• Writing an invitation letter for a US visa application
• Writing an invitation letter for a UK visa application
• Writing an invitation letter for an Australia visa application
• How to Book a Flight Reservation Without Payment

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Subreddit to discuss Schengen visas.

Any suggestions for improving this cover letter? Indian 23M single

I am writing to apply for a Schengen visa to facilitate my upcoming tourism trip to France and the Netherlands. The purpose of my visit is to explore the cultures, history and landscapes of these two beautiful countries alongside two of my friends who are applying from VFS Pune. We have planned a six-week vacation, allocating two weeks to France and four weeks to the Netherlands.

Purpose and Duration of Stay: My purpose is tourism and to enjoy an extended summer vacation in Europe. My plan covers a total of 35 days, with the first two weeks set for France, followed by three weeks in the Netherlands. My remaining vacation allowance expires in July, so I plan to use all of it at once.

Financial Context : I have sufficient financial means to cover all my expenses during my stay in France and Netherlands, including accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, meals etc. I have about 9000 Euros in my savings account from my job and my target budget for this trip is ~ 6000 Euros (excluding flights and euro pass - already paid). My total yearly compensation is about 30000 Euros (after taxes, including performance bonus and stocks as apparent from tax filings). I have attached supporting documents, such as bank statements, payslips, tax returns etc, to validate my financial capability.

Strong Ties to India: I am the primary caregiver for my mother, younger sister, and my dog. I am deeply rooted here. I have been employed at <MNC> for ~3 years. I have attached a letter from my employer affirming my employment status. Additionally, I have significant family commitments, a stable job and a life waiting for me here which necessitates my timely return to India upon completing my planned itinerary in the Schengen Area.

Brief Summary of Itinerary: A detailed day by day itinerary is separately attached but sharing a brief itinerary for your kind perusal. Our group is staying in 5 cities (Paris, Lyon, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht) with 1 week allocated to each city. We will use Eurail pass to travel between the cities. The idea is to enjoy each destination properly without packing too many activities.

For day trips to nearby cities, we plan to use buses (Adhoc tickets or OV-chipkaart).

Week-1 Paris

(Includes a day trip to Giverny)

Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Versailles, Bois de Boulogne Park, Disneyland, Giverny

Week-2 Lyon

(Includes a day trip to Annecy)

Musée des Bea9ux-Arts, Parc de la Tête d'Or Park, Annecy, Beaujolais Wine Region, Pérouges, Cathédrale Saint Jean

Week-3 Amsterdam

(Includes a day trip to Zaanse Schans)

Van Gogh Museum and Heineken Museum, Canal Cruise, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum, Botanicus garden, Anne Frank's house, House of Bols, Royal Palace, Zaanse Schans

Week-4 Rotterdam

(Includes day trips to Hague, Delft and Gouda)

Marthkal, Erasmus Bridge, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Harbour tour, Delft, Hague, Gouda

Week-5 Utrecht

(Includes day trip to Maastricht)

Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, Multiple Museums, Kasteel De Haar, Utrecht Botanical garden, Maastricht

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for considering my application. I am fully committed to complying with all the regulations and requirements set by the Dutch and French government. Please feel free to contact me should you require any additional information or documentation to support my application.

I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to explore France and the Netherlands, and I am hopeful for a favorable response to my visa application.

Enclosed with this letter are all the necessary documents as per the checklist provided.

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• Français fr

How to apply

Additional changes to entry, testing and quarantine requirements in response to the Omicron variant

There are temporary changes for all travellers, including Canadian citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.

Additional restrictions and requirements now apply to these countries:

• Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe

News release

Changes to border measures

New border measures include

• rules for re-entering Canada, if leaving for 72 hours or less
• who is considered fully vaccinated
• rules for travelling within Canada

Starting January 15, 2022, there will be new rules for who can enter Canada as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveller.

Learn more about the new measures

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application .

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

• Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
• Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Prepare documents and apply

The reason you’re traveling to Canada determines the way you apply and the documents you need to submit with your visa application.

Why are you applying for a visitor visa?

• To visit as a tourist
• To visit for business
• To visit your spouse or partner who has sponsored you for permanent residence

What is your family member’s status in Canada?

• Canadian citizen
• Person registered under Canada’s Indian Act
• Canadian permanent resident
• Temporary resident in Canada
• For compassionate reasons
• To join a vessel as a marine crew member (known as a “seafarer”)
• None of the above

Do you plan to visit your children or grandchildren for more than 6 months?

You may be eligible to apply for a Super Visa

A super visa lets you visit your children or grandchildren for 5 years at a time. It’s a visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.

Find out how to apply for a Super Visa

Step 1 Gather documents

Gather these documents to submit with your visa application and bring when you travel.

About the documents listed

• Not all documents listed below are required—some are optional.
• This is not an exhaustive list of acceptable proof to support your visa application.
• Only submit the recommended documents that prove you’re eligible for a visa.
• Even if you submit all the documents listed, there is no guarantee that we’ll approve your application.
• We may request more information from you in addition to what is listed here.

Documents we accept:

• passports (regular, official or diplomatic)  from most countries (see exceptions below)
• alien’s passport for stateless persons
• US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
• US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
• other refugee travel documents for non-citizens

Documents we don’t accept:

• any passport issued by Somalia
• non-machine-readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
• temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
• provisional passports issued by Venezuela

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you’ll use to travel to Canada

If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of

• the page that shows your birth date and country of origin
• any pages with stamps, visas or markings

If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your

• date of birth
• document number
• citizenship or residency status
• expiry date (if applicable)

Submit this document with your visa application.

Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application.

Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application

Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend or alone.

You may need to show

• a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada
• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada .

Submit these with your visa application.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada.

If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.

Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.

Include a clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
• entry and exit stamps
• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
• expired or valid visas

Submit this document with your visa application

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada

Include copies of any of the following:

• flight details
• hotel reservations
• registration for an event

This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

Bank name and contact This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.

Proof it is your account Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.

Account details At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.

Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.

The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.

Business visitor

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada

Submit this with your visa application.

A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside your country

Copies of any of the following:

A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.

The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.

The letter should include the following:

• date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
• confirmation that you have a job with the employer
• your full name and date of birth
• date you started the job
• brief description of your job
• current salary
• contact information of your manager
• phone number
• email address
• employer information
• company name
• state or province
• Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.

A letter from a business or company in Canada

It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.

A copy of the letter from the business or company inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from the business or company.

Consult the details to include in the letter .

Visit your spouse or partner who sponsored you for permanent residence

Proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada

This can include a copy of

• a marriage certificate
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM5409)
• a birth certificate
• an official document naming you as a parent

Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.

The documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.

• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on whether the minor child travels alone

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada

A letter written by your family member in Canada

A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from your family member.
• current Salary

Complete the form that declares you and your partner are in a common-law relationship. Also provide proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together.

What is a common-law partner?

Proof can include

• joint bank accounts or credit cards
• joint ownership of a home
• joint residential leases
• joint rental receipts
• joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
• joint management of household expenses
• proof of joint purchases, especially for household items
• mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address

Faster visitor visa processing for spousal applicants

If you’re being sponsored for permanent residence (PR) by your spouse or partner, you could benefit from faster processing for a visitor visa.

You may be eligible if you

• submitted an application to be sponsored for permanent residence
• received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) that confirms the application is in progress

Applications that need more information, for example custody documents for a child, will take longer to process.

When your sponsor receives the AOR for your permanent residence application, you can apply for a visitor visa. If you’re eligible, your visitor visa application will automatically receive faster processing. You don’t need to request it.

You must still meet all of the requirements to be eligible for a visitor visa .

Visit family (Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act, or permanent resident of Canada)

Submit with visa application

Visit children or grandchildren Super visa option

Submit this with your visa or super visa application.

For super visa applicants only

Proof that medical insurance for at least $100,000 coverage has been purchased from a Canadian insurance company.

A copy of the insurance certificate or policy you received for medical insurance coverage for 1 year with a Canadian insurance company.

Submit this with your super visa application.

Documents that show that the super visa applicant’s child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off minimum.

Submit one of the following documents:

• If the child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment on file, they can view and print their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency My Account online service.
• a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s most recent T4 or T1
• an original letter from the child’s or grandchild’s employer stating their job title, job description and salary
• a letter from an accountant confirming the child’s or grandchild’s annual income, if they are self-employed.
• proof of other sources of income (pension statement, investments, etc.)

A document confirming that you had an  immigration medical exam (IME)

The exam must conducted by a panel physician authorized by IRCC.

Get complete details about how to get a medical exam with a panel physician.

Submit this with your super visa application, or wait for instructions from the visa office.

Visit family (temporary resident of Canada)

A letter written by your family in Canada

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do once in Canada

Visit for compassionate reasons

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada

A letter written to you from a person or business inviting you to Canada

A copy of the letter from the person or business inviting you to Canada

• registration for an event.

Please indicate clearly if family members will accompany you to Canada.

Submit the following documents with your visa application:

• digital copy of Seaman’s Book
• digital copy of a signed Letter of Invitation from a ship or port agent in Canada
• digital copy of an Introduction Letter from recruiter shipping agency or vessel owner
• digital copy of the employment contract

Step 2 Apply through the IRCC Portal

Step 2 apply.

To apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada on business, you need to qualify as a business visitor.

To qualify, you must show that:

• you plan to stay for less than 6 months
• you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada

Business visitor activities include business meetings, special events or training for a few days or weeks.

If your meeting, event or conference is registered with us, include the event code in your application. You should get this code from the organizer.

Note: If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, or if you plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to  apply for a work permit .

To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.

Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. As an online applicant, you can ignore steps 3 and 4 of the guide (paying the fees and submitting your application).

If you’re applying for the first time , you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Apply through the IRCC Secure account

Sign in to your IRCC secure account

Apply through the IRCC Portal

Only for tourists, visiting for business, family visits, compassionate reasons

Sign in to the IRCC portal

To apply for a visitor visa to join a vessel as a marine crew member (seafarer) , you must

• be travelling to Canada to join a ship’s crew
• hold a seafarer’s identity document
• hold a valid passport or travel document
• have proof of employment on a vessel at a Canadian port

As a seafarer, you’re not eligible for a transit visa and you must apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa).

Note: When asked to “Tell us more about what you’ll do in Canada”, include “Join vessel” or “Seafarer”.

Register to the IRCC portal

Applying on paper for specific situations

If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed. However, you can apply on paper if:

• you can’t apply online because of a disability or
• you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen

The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the guide carefully before you complete your application . We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply.

Each individual applicant must submit a completed application form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have this form signed by a parent or a guardian.

Download the application package .

Pay your application fees

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Third-party fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for

• your medical exam
• a police certificate

Our instruction guides (opens in a new tab) can help you understand which fees apply to you.

Submit your application

Families should send their individual applications in one package. The principal applicant must send this combined package to the location where their application will be processed.

Select the country/territory you’ll be applying from to find out where to submit your application. You can choose your country of nationality or the country or territory where you have been legally admitted:

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• China (People’s Republic of)
• Comoros Island
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Hong Kong SAR
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• North Macedonia (Republic of)
• Palestinian Authority (Gaza)
• Palestinian Authority (West Bank)
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Timor-Leste (Timor oriental)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• US Virgin Islands

If you need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph), and you’re applying on paper, submit your application in person . VAC staff will check that it is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct fees before you can give your biometrics.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept the following credit cards and prepaid cards:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn’t have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

• be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC ® Online
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

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Get a Passport

Renew or Replace a Passport

Get My Passport Fast

Prepare to Apply

Passport Help

Legal Matters

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Share this page:

Apply for your First Adult Passport

Apply for a Child Under 16

Apply as a 16 or 17 Year Old

Get My Application Status

Get a Passport Card

Respond to a Letter or Email

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply with their child, you will need to show us more documents.
• You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82.
• Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years. 

Steps to Apply

1. fill out form ds-11 and print it.

Use our Form Filler tool  to fill out your child's form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF . 

Tips to complete your child's form :

• Do not sign your child's form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee. 
• You can apply for a passport book , a passport card , or both documents.
• You may ask for a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no extra cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

2. Get Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (and a photocopy)

Your evidence must be an original or replacement copy. The document must have the official seal or stamp of the office which issued it. You must submit one of the following documents for your child:

• Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
• Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
• Lists the parent(s)' full names
• Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
• Has the registrar's signature
• Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Please note you must also provide a document, such as a birth certificate, that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. 

If you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our  Citizenship Evidence page  for more information.

Paper only : You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document. 

Returning your child's document : We will return your child's document in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive the new passport.

Tips for making a photocopy :

• Black and white (no color)
• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
• Use a single side of the paper

If you do not submit a photocopy, you must submit a second copy of your citizenship evidence. We will keep this copy for our records.

3. Show Your Relationship to Your Child

You must submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Examples include:

• U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce or custody decree
• A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show  both  U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

4. Get a Photo ID (and a photocopy)

Both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID. 

You must show at least  one  of these photo IDs:

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card 
• In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Current (valid) foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
• In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
• Temporary driver's license with photo

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to our  Identification page  for more information.

5. Show More Documents (if both parents or guardians cannot apply)

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit  Form DS-3053  and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

6. Provide a Photo

You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to our  Passport Photo page  for photo requirements and to see examples of photos. 

• Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.
• Some  passport acceptance facilities
• A company which offers photo services
• Home. Ask your friend or family member to take your child's photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo quality paper. 

7. Calculate Fees

When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee. You will pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution (acceptance) fee to the facility which takes your application. 

• Add $60 to your application fee if you want  expedited service .
• Add $19.53 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport in 1-2 days after we issue it.  

Child Applicants :

For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to our  Passport Fees  page.

*How to fill out your check and pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. Please note you must pay a separate execution (acceptance) fee. 

Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State if they are applying at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

8. Find Location to Apply

In the United States:

• Traveling in more than 3 weeks?  Go to a  passport acceptance facility  such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment. 
• Traveling in less than 3 weeks?   Make an appointment  to apply at a passport agency or center.

In another country:

• Contact your  U.S. embassy or consulate .

9. Track Your Application Status

You can  subscribe to email updates  about your application status, and  learn more about each status update .

It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your child's application status is “In Process.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you send my child's passport and supporting documents.

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

• New passport book
• New passport card
• Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

• Delivering application to us : Pay for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
• Returning the passport to you : Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport   1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid. 

You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

What countries require Form DS-3053 "Statement of Consent" to be notarized at an embassy or consulate?

In certain countries, a DS-3053 must be notarized at a  U.S. embassy or consulate  and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Currently, these countries include:

Special Passport Fairs

Find a Special Passport Fair  near you!

We're holding special passport fairs all across the United States to help you get your passport more easily. New events are added to our site every week.

Most events are for first-time applicants and children, (who use Form DS-11). If you can use Form DS-82, you can renew by mail at your convenience!

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

How to Apply for your Child's Passport

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person for your child's U.S. passport!

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