Thuy Trang, a travel blogger and freelance writer, recently secured her second Schengen visa and plans to travel to Europe in August, entering through France. Reflecting on her first visa application over a year ago, Trang notes some changes in the process. She advises applicants to "meticulously prepare their documents from the outset to avoid supplementary requests, complications, unforeseen issues, and extra costs."
Several types of Schengen visas exist: Type A (transit visa, no entry permitted), Type C (short-stay for business, tourism, visiting family, extended transit with entry privileges), and Type D (long-stay for studies, work, or medical treatment). Tourists typically apply for the Type C visa, opting for single or multiple entry depending on their itinerary.
The visa fee is 80 EUR (approximately 2.6 million VND), and 35 EUR for children aged 6-12. This fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected, and is payable when submitting the application.
Applicants must submit their documents through the TLScontact Visa Application Centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, not directly to the embassy. The service fee is 740,000 VND (paid in Vietnamese dong after scheduling an appointment). Schedule an appointment with the center in advance, but only after completing the visa application form. A one-time free rescheduling is possible up to 24 hours before the appointment time for unforeseen circumstances.
Trang recommends applying for a Schengen visa at least 15 days and no more than 6 months before the intended travel date. The country of entry/exit must be the same as the country issuing the visa. "Travelers can enter other countries, but the longest stay must be in the country that issued the visa," Trang explains.
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Thuy Trang in Belgium during her European trip in the summer of 2024. Photo: NVCC |
Thuy Trang in Belgium during her European trip in the summer of 2024. Photo: NVCC
Document preparation
According to Thuy Trang, the required documents for a Schengen visa are similar to those for countries like South Korea and Japan. Each applicant's file should include personal documents, proof of employment and income, and travel purpose documentation, all in English. As a freelancer working remotely, Trang included additional documents beyond the basic requirements.
Personal Documents:
: Original passport and a photocopy of all pages with visas and entry/exit stamps
: Previous passport (original, if applicable)
: Translated household registration book
: Notarized citizen identity card
: Two 3.5 x 4.5 cm photos with a white background; one affixed to the visa application form and one submitted separately
Proof of Employment:
: Employment contract or appointment decision (notarized copy or photocopied and stamped by the company, bilingual English-Vietnamese); bring the original for verification
: Leave request letter stating travel dates (bilingual English-Vietnamese is recommended)
: Last 3 months' payslips or salary confirmation (original, company stamped, bilingual English-Vietnamese); "Highlight salary entries in bank statements for easy identification," Trang suggests.
As a freelancer, Trang included supporting documents like published articles, books, and invitation letters from prominent brands related to her freelance work.
She also submitted a letter in English, explaining her travel purpose, travel history, income sources, and reasons for returning to Vietnam, emphasizing the legitimacy of her trip.
Proof of Income:
: Bank savings book with a minimum balance of 10,000 USD (bank-certified); a longer deposit period is preferable. Obtain bank certification within 14 days of the application submission date. "The total savings shouldn't be excessive, but rather proportionate to the applicant's salary and income," Trang advises.
: Credit card limit confirmation (submit all cards for enhanced financial credibility)
: Last 3-6 months' bank statements (original, bank-stamped); the balance should cover travel expenses.
Travel Purpose Documentation:
: Detailed daily itinerary (the more detailed, the better); Trang submitted a comprehensive 21-day itinerary, including specific times, transport details, and vehicle numbers.
: Hotel booking confirmations (aligned with the itinerary); note any overnight bus travel to avoid discrepancies.
: Travel insurance (premium package covering medical, accident, and repatriation expenses with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR)
: Round-trip flight tickets (can be booked with multiple airlines, with payment later options; Vietnam Airlines offers this).
Embassy Required Documents:
: Completed France visa application form (color print, signed and with a photo attached); indicate single or multiple entry. Include the France Visas sheet at the end.
: TLScontact appointment confirmation
: Other personal documents (as needed)
: Group photo if traveling with friends or family
Additional Notes:
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Trang's latest Schengen visa. Photo: NVCC |
Trang's latest Schengen visa. Photo: NVCC
Bring all original documents to the application center, including financial, employment, marriage, household registration or residency certificates, land ownership certificates, birth certificates (of children), and spouse's identification.
Carefully complete the France visa application form, print, sign, attach a passport photo, and include the document checklist.
Arrive early for your appointment. At TLScontact, staff will review your documents, ask questions, collect the fee, and take your fingerprints and photo for the visa. After submission, you'll receive documents to keep for passport retrieval.
Processing takes 15-20 business days. TLScontact will contact you by phone or email if additional documents are needed. Track your application status online. Opt for passport delivery by mail (120,000 VND per application). Your passport and photo will be returned in a sealed envelope, revealing the outcome only upon opening.
TLScontact holds results for 30 days. Afterward, passports are returned to the designated passport return authority. TLScontact doesn't offer photocopying services; applicants must arrange this independently if needed.
Tam Anh
