Schengen Visa from UK: A Guide 

International travelers have to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK to visit a Schengen area. The UK is not a part of the Schengen area. However, the visa is applicable if the applicant wants to stay/work in the area for more than 90 days. The UK resident permit must be valid for more than 3 months to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK. Keep reading to learn about the Schengen visa from the UK: eligibility criteria, documentation, cost, application process, and more.

Visa Name	Schengen Visa from the UK
Validity	12-24 months
Fee	€80 for adults
Processing Time	Maximum 30 days

Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa in the UK?

Schengen visas can be applied from the UK by those who have a UK residence permit. Moreover, the residence permit must be valid for a minimum of 3 months beyond the date the applicant plans to leave the area. In case, the condition is not met the application is automatically rejected. Those who have a 3-month visa must apply for an extension to become eligible for the Schengen visa.

Do UK residents need a Schengen visa after Brexit?

The UK residents do not require a such visa for short trips. The Schengen visa is only applicable for the following reasons:

• The applicant is staying for more than 90 days in the area
• Traveling for business, journalism, or tourism purposes
• The applicant is taking up short-term studies in the area 
• The applicant wants to get medical treatment 

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What about U.K. residents who are not U.K. nationals?

Those who are UK residents but not UK citizens require a Schengen visa depending on the country of citizenship. That is if the applicant’s country of citizenship has signed a visa-free travel agreement with the Schengen area matters. For example, countries like the USA, and Canada will have their own arrangements. Therefore, it is not required to get a Schengen visa. However, citizens of India, China, Bangladesh, etc will need the Schengen visa to visit any country in the Schengen area.

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Documents Required

The Schengen states have Embassies and Consulates in the UK. The embassies have specific requirements for the applicants. However, some of the common requirements for the Schengen visa are as follows:

• The applicant must have a valid passport that has been issued within the last 10 years
• The passport must have 2 blank pages and must be valid for 3 months after the date the applicant wants to leave the area.
• An identification card or a valid UK residence permit
• Schengen visa application form and 1 passport-size photograph 
• Cover letter explaining the nature of the visit to the Schengen area 
• Proof of accommodation and Schengen travel insurance. 
• Hotel reservations as proof of participation in group travel
• Must provide proof of finances. For example, the UK current account statement of a minimum of £55 per person per day.

Documentation Required for Specific Visa Type

The following are the documents required for specific visa types:

Visa	Documents
UK employees	Reference letter of employment in the United Kingdom
Self-employed	A recent letter (less than 3 months old) specifies the business activity, business start date, VAT certificate, etc
International students in the UK	An official recent (less than 3 months old) letter from the university specifying: course type, Attendance record, etc
Retirees	Pension statement of the latest 6 months
Unemployed and married to a UK citizen	A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer, Spouse’s valid passport, An officially translated marriage certificate.

International students can take up Part-Time Jobs in France on a Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa from UK Application Process 

The Schengen visa can be applied 15 days prior to the intended visit in Europe. The Schengen visa can be applied from the UK by visiting an Embassy/consulate in London. There are 2 ways for this :

• Visit the Consulate/Embassy office in person.
• Applying through accredited agencies like BLS or VFS

Which Embassy/Consulate to visit for a Schengen Visa from the UK?

Depending on the duration and the purpose of the visit, there are some specific requirements that applicants must keep in mind.

Particulars	Schengen Visa from UK Application
visiting 1 Schengen country	Apply at the Embassy or Consulate specifying the destination
visiting more than 1 Schengen country	Apply at the Embassy /Consulate representing the country of longest stay
Visiting more than 1 Schengen country with equal stay duration	Apply by representing the country the applicant wishes to enter first
Intending to stay more than 90 days	The residence permit is required

Schengen Visa from the UK for an Indian Passport Holder 

Indian citizens who have been resident in the UK for more than 3 months can apply for a Schengen visa. Indian tourists/non-resident Indians in the UK should not apply for this type of visa.

Schengen Visa from UK: Processing Time 

The Schengen visa from the UK must be applied prior to 15 days of the intended visit. Those with multiple entry visas must apply 6 months before the intended visit. The Schengen visa processing time can take up to 30 days.  In special circumstances, it is faster visa processing is possible. For example, medical emergency, or applicants having an EEA/EU citizen as a family member.

Schengen Visa from UK: Fees

The Schengen visa fees vary depending on the applicant. For example, the visa fee is  51 £ for adults. The Schengen Visa from the UK for children (6-12 years old) is  36.5£. Note: the amount can vary depending on the currency fluctuations. 

FAQs

We hope you now understand what is a Schengen Visa from the UK, its requirements, the application process, etc. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!