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Applying for a Schengen Visa from the UK

  • Schengen visas from the UK can be applied for all 29 Schengen countries.
  • The Schengen visa from the UK is processed mostly in 14 working days.
  • The fee for a Schengen visa in the UK for all member states is £76.54.
  • Holding a UK visa either short-term or BRP does not allow one to enter the Schengen states without a visa.
  • British citizens do not need a Schengen visa to visit the member states for a short stay.
Schengen visa in the UK Guide

Please note, the whole article has specially been prepared with the help of professional immigration expert who is from Germany.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa is a single visa that can be used for all 29 member countries of the Schengen zone. It allows the holder of it to stay for a short-term stay of a maximum of 90 days in 180 days. If you are not a British citizen and your country does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen countries, you must apply for a Schengen visa to enter any of the member countries. You must have a valid UK visa such as a BRP or ILR.

applying Schengen visa from the UK

Schengen Visa Types

The Schengen visa is of different types such as:

Single-entry

A first-time visa is always a single entry, and you can only enter the Schengen zone once. Inside Schengen countries, you can make as many exits and entries as you want. But once you leave the Schengen zone and return to the UK, a single entry visa does not allow you to enter again in the Schengen zone even if the visa is valid.

Multiple-entry

If you have a multiple-entry visa, then the situation is different, and you can make as many entries as you want from the UK to the Schengen countries. This visa is usually given to the applicants who have already had 2 Schengen visas expired.

Air transit visa (ATV)

This type of visa allows you to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen area during a stopover or a change of flight. You cannot leave the international transit area on this visa. Please remember that each Schengen country has its regulations for Airport Transit Visa for third countries. Sometimes a traveler from a third country has permission to transit in one country but not in another. For example, Indian nationals do not need an air transit visa in Italy, but they need it in German airports.

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK?

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK depends on the factor if you are a British citizen or a third-country national living in the UK:

British NationalsUK Visit Visa HoldersUK BRP Holders
Need Schengen Visa: NoNeed Schengen Visa: YesNeed Schengen Visa: Yes
British citizens do not need a Schengen visa to enter the UK for a short stay (not exceeding 90 days in 180 days). They can enter the member states till May 2025. Afterward, the ETIAS comes into force, they should also enter the Schengen countries by first getting the ETIAS.The citizens of third countries who hold a UK visitor visa are not directly allowed to enter the Schengen countries without a Schengen visa. You must obtain the Schengen visa separately if your country does not have visa-free entry into the member States.The citizens of third countries holding a UK BRP for studying or working are not allowed to enter the Schengen countries without a Schengen visa. You must obtain the Schengen visa separately if your country does not have visa-free entry into the member States.

Schengen Visa fee from the UK

The Schengen visa fee has been increased from 11 June 2024. This is currently as follows:

Schengen Visa CategoryFee in EURFee in GBP
Adult applicant90€£76.54
Children between 6-12 years of age45€£38.27
Children younger than 6 years of ageFree
Holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports traveling for official purposesFree
A family member of an EU/EEA nationalFree
Pupils, students, and accompanying teachers during a school tripFree
Researchers traveling to perform scientific researchFree
Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.35€£28.99
Nationals of Cabo Verde67,50€£57,43

There are other costs as well one has to bear to apply for the visa:

  • Travel and health insurance;
  • Biometric fee, collected by third-party companies such as VFS Global or BLS. One has to pay it directly to them at the time of Biometric collection;
  • Translation fee of the documents in English;
  • Cost for return ticket booking (please don’t pay in full instead use only reservation confirmation);
  • Cost for the Hotel booking (reservation charges in any, normally you can choose to pay when you reach the property).

Processing time

The standard processing time for a Schengen visa from the UK is 15 working days. These can however in some cases reach up to 45 days depending on the type of visa application in the country you are applying to.

List of Schengen Countries, their visa centers, and appointment system in the UK

Most of the Schengen countries do not accept the visa application directly. They outsource the third parties such as VFS Global, BLS, TLS Contact Global visa center, etc. In the table below:

  • the “Apply Online” does not mean the whole visa process is online. It only means filling in the Schengen visa form online. After filling it out online, you get to download it which can be printed and signed to be submitted with your supporting documents;
  • The “Application Authority” application centers are the authorized places by the respective country to receive your visa application. On the given links, you can click to access the visa application centers to book an appointment online.
Schengen countriesAppointmentVisa Center LocationsSchengen visa form
AustriaVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
BelgiumBLS ContactEdinburgh, London, and Manchester*Apply Online 
BulgariaVFS GlobalLondonDownload Form
CroatiaVFS GlobalLondon, ManchesterApply Online
CzechiaVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
DenmarkVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply online
EstoniaVFS GlobalLondonApply Online
FinlandVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
FranceTLS ContactEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
GermanyTLS ContactEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
GreeceGlobal Visa CenterEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
HungaryVFS GlobalLondon and ManchesterDownload Form
IcelandVFS GlobalLondonDownload Form
ItalyVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
LatviaVFS GlobalLondon and ManchesterApply Online
Liechtenstein
LithuaniaVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
LuxembourgEmbassy of Luxembourg in LondonLondonDownload Form
MaltaVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
NetherlandsVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
NorwayVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterApply Online
PolandEmbassy of Poland in LondonLondonApply Online
PortugalVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
RomaniaConsulate General Romania in LondonLondonDownload Form
SwedenVFS GlobalEdinburgh and LondonApply Online
SwitzerlandTLS ContactEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
SlovakiaSlovakian Embassy LondonLondonApply Online
SloveniaVFS GlobalEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form
SpainBLSEdinburgh, London, and ManchesterDownload Form

How to apply for the Schengen Visa in the UK?

Applying for the Schengen visa in the UK is a simple, stress-free, and easy process provided that you first understand how to apply for it. Following are the steps, you need to follow to easily apply for a Schengen visa from the United Kingdom:

1- Determine a Schengen Country

You must first determine the Schengen country you want to apply the visa for. Though there is one Schengen visa valid for all 29 member states, you need to apply it to a single country. There is no set aside single desk department that is responsible for issuing the Schengen visa for all countries. Your country choice is partially on your will plus it also depends on the following parameters:

Applying for a single Schengen countryApplying for two or multiple Schengen countries
If you want to visit a single Schengen country, it is the easiest way to apply for a visa. You just have hotel booking and itinerary for a single-member state.In case you want to visit two or more Schengen countries, you apply for a visa in the country you want to visit for most of the days. If you do not know how many days will be distributed for your trip for each country, then you should apply for a country that is your first entry point.

2- Determine the purpose of the trip

It is really important to determine the purpose of your trip to the Schengen countries. This will help you not to forget to submit important documents with your visa application. Furthermore, in the visa application, you are also asked the visa type, there you should also identify which option to tick.

  • Business: For business meetings, or any short-term business-related activities.
  • Medical reasons: Appointment at the hospitals or by the Doctor for medical checkups.
  • Study purposes: For attending short-term study courses or meeting in a university or college.
  • Official visit: For government officials or any other state duties.
  • Visiting family and friends: You have family or friends in the Schengen states and you want to be with them for a short period.
  • Tourism: Sightseeing and tourism, it is the most famous trip type from around the world.
  • Airport Transit: Nationals of some countries also need transit visas in member states. Currently, there are 12 countries on the list.
  • Sports, Cultural, and Film crews: This type of visa is for people who are from outside of the Schengen area and want to attend religious, Sports, or Cultural events and film crews.
  • Others: If your trip is for reasons other than the above mentioned, then choose in the visa form others.

3- Prepare documents

You should prepare the documents you need to submit with the visa application. The type of documents you must submit depends on your visa purpose and your current situation if you are self-employed or do a job.

a) General Documents for all applicants

  • A valid passport or a legitimate travel document beyond the intended visa duration;
  • A passport-sized photograph according to the set standards (see here samples)
  • You must provide a bank statement to show accessible funds. Credit cards, property ownership, and bonds can also demonstrate your financial situation;
  • The ability to convince immigration officers that you will leave the Schengen area at the end of your visit. You need to show ties to the UK, such as a job, home, financial assets, or family, to ensure your return;
  • A clean record with no immigration-related convictions in any Schengen countries, as this information is stored and shared through the Schengen Information System (SIS);
  • A Cover Letter mentioning your details (optional);
  • Travel Itinerary (optional);
  • Adequate and valid Travel Medical Insurance for your whole stay, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

b) Documents related to the trip category

TourismMedicalFriends and FamilyOther Trips
Your complete plan such as a travel Itinerary;

A comprehensive detailed cover letter about yourself and your financial situation;

A hotel reservation for the planned trip;

A ticket reservation confirmation to and from the Schengen countries;

Details or proofs of any ticket bought (such as a sports event etc);

Details about your tourism background if any, this also includes your travel history.		Any medical appointments;

Details of the Doctors or Hospitals;

Medical issue history and reports;

Any records if you have previously been to any Schengen country for medical checkups;

If there is any medical emergency, then please include proof from local hospitals;
If an extra person is accompanying the patient, their relation details and information about tour cost if born by the accompanying person or the main applicant;

Extra financial resources are required for checkups.		A sponsorship if you will be staying with them;

The sponsorship should include information about accommodation and the sponsor’s financial status;

Note that certain countries, like Romania and France, need approval for such invitations from authorities;

Any proof of relationships between you and the sponsor;

If you are a relative of an EEA/EU citizen, you must provide relation proof, in this way, you also do not have to pay the visa fee and the visa process can be accelerated;

If attending any event such as marriage or another ceremony, then the invitation details such as cards, etc.		For all other types of trips, you must include the related documents of the trip.

These could be documents related to sports events and invitation proofs;

For air transit (currently only for 12 countries), you must also provide proof of a valid ticket and travel plan and the stay duration at the airport.

c) documents required as per the personal situation

EmployeeSelf-EmployedMinorStudentSponsored by Spouse
Recent, official and signed letter from their employer with name, date of issue, address, contact details, position of signatory and registration number in the United Kingdom. The position salary of the employee should also be indicated; and 
Pay slips for the last three months. 		Recent, official and signed letter from an accountant, banker or solicitor with name, date of issue, address, contact details, position of signatory and registration number in the United Kingdom, stating the nature of the self-employment or business ownership in the United Kingdom. The letter must also state the annual salary drawn from the company; and 
Self-assessment form edited by revenue and customs authorities. 		Birth certificate; and For minors traveling alone or with only one parent (exceptions are made if one parent has the sole custody or residence order for the child): 
Original passports of both parents or certified copy of the biodata page of the passports; 
Proof of consent of parental authority or legal guardian; and 
British school certificate. In the case of sole custody, the following documents must be submitted: a) a birth certificate mentioning one parent; b) a death certificate of an absent parent; or c) a court ruling. 		Recent, official and signed letter from school, college or university in the United Kingdom stating date of issue, name of the applicant, type of studies, number of lessons (hours) per week and attendance record. A marriage certificate; 
The spouse’s bank account statements (see above); and 
A statement of will to support the spouse. – her/his parent(s): 
a) proof of family relationship, e.g. birth certificate; 
b) the parent(s) bank account statement (see above); and 
c) a statement of will to support the applicant. 

4- Fill in the Schengen visa form

In the next step, you must fill in the Schengen visa application form. In general, there is a single type of visa form for all countries, still all countries have their version in the local and English languages. Some are even using the online format such as Germany or France. The standard application form can be accessed here. However, you must fill in the visa form dedicated by the relevant Schengen country. Belwo you fill find visa forms of every Schengen country.

5- Get the appointment

In the next step, you must get an appointment from visa application centers in the UK. To do so, you must visit their website and apply for the visa appointment online. For your convenience, we have mentioned below their complete contact details.

6- Submit the Visa application

On the appointment day, you must submit your all supporting documents and visa form. You will have to pay the visa fee there as well.

Many countries ask for Biometrics (Digital photographs and Fingerprints) at the visa application center. You have to give those as well. At the time of visa appointment, you will be guided about it thoroughly. You have to pay for the Biometrics services as well. Most of the companies (visa application centers) charge half of the main visa fee for this service. The visa application centers such as TLS, BLS, and VFS also offer you visa form filling services against charges.

7- Visa approval

The Schengen visa processing can take between 15 to 45 days depending upon your application type and country you have applied to. Once the processing is done, you will be informed about it by the visa application centers. Some of these offer you to return the passport against a courier fee. Otherwise, you will have to collect it from them.

If the visa has been awarded, you will see a Schengen visa sticker labeled on the passport. There, you should check your full name, date of birth, and travel dates details. Sometimes, you are only awarded the visa for certain days you have mentioned in your visa application. This depends on if the visa is single or multiple entry.

8- Visa rejection

If the visa application is rejected, you will be provided with a notice of it mentioning the reasons. Some countries allow you to appeal against the decision of the visa officer that is also in most cases again rejected. It is always better to reapply for the visa by overcoming the mistakes made previously. You can check here the standard refusal form.

9- Schengen visa extension

In rare cases, you can also apply for a Schengen visa extension, these compelling reasons can be:

  • Humanitarian Reasons;
  • Late Entry;
  • Force Majeure; and
  • Important Personal Reasons.

Citizens of which countries need to apply for a Schengen Visa?

If you want to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK, it depends on your current citizenship. There are many countries whose nationals need a Schengen visa to enter all Schengen Countries even if they live in the UK and hold visitor, BRP, or ILR holders. These countries have no visa-free agreements with the EU Council.

So if you are in the UK, and hold citizenship of any of the following countries, you must apply for a Schengen visa when you want to visit the member countries no matter what status you have in the UK:

AfghanistanGabonOman
AlgeriaThe GambiaPakistan
AngolaGhanaPapua New Guinea
ArmeniaGuineaPalestinian Authority
AzerbaijanGuinea-BissauPhilippines
BahrainGuyanaQatar
BangladeshHaitiRussia
BelarusIndiaRwanda
BelizeIndonesiaSao Tome And Principe
BeninIranSaudi Arabia
BhutanIraqSenegal
BoliviaJamaicaSierra Leone
BotswanaJordanSomalia
Burkina FasoKazakhstanSouth Africa
Burma/MyanmarKenyaSouth Sudan
BurundiKosovoSri Lanka
CambodiaKuwaitSudan
CameroonKyrgyzstanSuriname
Cape VerdeLaosSwaziland
TheCentrall African RepublicLebanonSyria
ChadLesothoTajikistan
ChinaLiberiaTanzania
ComorosLibyaThailand
CongoMadagascarTimor-Leste
Cote D’IvoireMalawiTogo
CubaMaldivesTonga
Dem. Rep. Of CongoMaliTunisia
DjiboutiMauritaniaTurkey
Dominican RepublicMongoliaTurkmenistan
EcuadorMoroccoUganda
EgyptMozambiqueUzbekistan
Equatorial GuineaNamibiaVietnam
EritreaNepalYemen
EthiopiaNigerZambia
FijiNigeriaZimbabwe
North KoreaNorthern Marianas

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