Friends and Family Visa for Schengen Application ( UPDATED FEB 2024 )

#FriendsandFamily #Visa #sponshorship #SchengenVisa #Letters #Invitation #doulaletter #longestpost #SabEkJagahPe

Hi All,

Its been a while I was away due to some personal stuff but help karna toh nahi bholna chahiye nah ! I have completed the process to meet my best friends and waiting them to arrive kyunki “Iss Jungle ki ladhai me Khiladi mere junglii hai” !

Firstly, I have added all the documents to the Google Drive link for both Friends and Parents with templates and references.

Link: Google Drive Link to Download All Templates

Toh lets start:

Checklist – I have added excel for your help + Checklist official from VFS.

· Firstly, Please take the appointment from VFS Services as below :
• https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html
• Choose > Applying from INDIA > and going to Netherlands.
• Click on Book Appointment, hint check Ahmedabad an odd place for early appointment maybe.

Travel Insurance, as per rule min 30k Euro coverage should be there per person. I found Bajaj Allianz and Reliance Care was cheapest and reliable option. Put the dates and calculation will be done as per number of days. Reference: Reliance Travel Insurance
- I have added Approved Insurance Companies list in drive which can be used for schengen visa by VFS. (LINK)

Sponsorship Letter: Your guests will be in the Netherlands for a brief stay, not exceeding three months. It is essential to bring this form to your local municipality for validation through a signature, certifying your sponsorship for accommodation. Please note that this pertains specifically to lodging support and should not be misconstrued as a financial commitment. In the case of having a partner or spouse, both individuals are required to sign the proof of sponsorship.
• Manual Method :
  • Download the Form : Fill https://ind.nl/Formulieren/1310.pdf - Sample attached. Sign in last in front of the Municipality Officer.
  • I reached out to the municipality (gemeente) regarding the certification of the proof of sponsorship. It turns out that the certification can be obtained from any municipality. This flexibility allows you the opportunity to save some money, as the certification fee in Amstelveen is 24 Euros, while the same service is available for 8 Euros in Hoofddorp.
  • https://www.amstelveen.nl/english/publicatie/proof-of-sponsorship?fbclid=IwAR3Mbmrdo8nznZ2QgFdPfMoT_Oq7_VNX_VM28Rj4u0C_LKdk8ohww11vwmE
  • Please sign the document, scan it, and send it to the recipient in India. While the original is not mandatory, sending it could provide an added advantage.
• Online Method (NEW) :
  • Now, you can get Sponsorship Letter online also by logging using DigiID in certain Gemmente. Like Amsterdam or Amstelveen.
  • -- Cost for Amsterdam is 22 Euro and Amstelveen is 12 Euro per application and form.
  • Link for Amstelveen : https://www.amstelveen.nl/english/publicatie/proof-of-sponsorship

Schengen VISA: You need to fill the form on MFA Services site: Click Here to Fill Schengen Form , take the printout. You can also edit it until last moment in case wanted to make changes. Ye main form hai dhyan rahe.

The Schengen Visa Form is a document where the applicant provides essential information, including details about themselves and crucially, financial responsibility. The form delineates three options for financial handling: Fully Sponsor, Self, or Partially Sponsor. These categories are self-explanatory, allowing applicants to specify their financial arrangement accordingly.
• Fully Sponsor: : If you choose to fully sponsor a applicant example Parents ( Maa / baba ) then you have to show below documents as Netherlands resident :
  • Your Employer Statement ( You can request from HR its free ) , same statement you use for mortgage purpose.
  • Your 3 month Salary Slip.
  • Your savings in bank account. ( Example : If I invite my parents for 30 days then 55 euro X 30 X 2 (Mom/dad) = 3500 Euros or more.
  • Your Passport and Resident Permit Copy ( Photo Copy )
  • Extra : If you show little money in mom dad account in INR it will be added advantage but completely optional.
• Partial Sponsor : This is very odd option and choosen very rarely, in this case your options used in schengen visa will define the supporting documents. Both sponsor and applicant has to show everything.
• Self Sponsor : In this scenario, it is anticipated that the applicant will need to demonstrate financial means, which entails providing a 3-month bank statement reflecting the necessary funds (equivalent to 55 euros per day, converted to INR). Additionally, supplementing the application with extra funds for daily needs is advisable to strengthen the overall financial aspect of the application.
  • In both the cases Bank Statement should be sealed by bank and the funds should not be added 1 week earlier (It should not look that money is added just to show in the statement )

Doula Letter (Only expecting baby) - A doula supports women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. This support is practical and emotional, but non-medical in nature, as doulas are not medically trained. You can get it from Hospital.

Flight Tickets : Return Tickets are mandatory for the application. There are 2 ways for this.
• Refundable Tickets : Fully refundable ticket is always a great option, you get flexibility,risk free booking i.e. refundable ticket.
• Dummy Ticket : If you intend to use ticket bookings as proof, you have the option of utilizing Dummy Tickets, available at a cost of 1500 INR. However, I recommend opting for original tickets for a more authentic demonstration of your travel plans. You can explore the following links for genuine reservations: dummyticket.com and flyinghelpline.com . These services focus on providing legitimate reservations and should not be construed as generating fake tickets.
• MAHAK's Gyan Ganga
  • I personally recommend the following approach: initially, book a fully refundable ticket. Proceed to complete your visa application. Once your visa is approved, you have the flexibility to either cancel the fully refundable ticket if you come across more cost-effective or flexible options that align with your approved travel dates. Alternatively, you may choose to retain the initially booked ticket, considering that prices tend to rise after the visa approval period, making it a potentially more economical choice.

Ab Important Point and FAQ :
• If you are inviting anyone, they should have 55 Euro per day saving.
• You can partially sponsor your applicant. - Simply choose option in Schengen form in section 30 onwards.
• NOC - A Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) is essential, especially for friends or siblings who are currently employed. The template for this certificate has already been uploaded to the Google Drive. The NOC is issued by the employer and serves to confirm the individual's status as an employee or student, explicitly stating that they are on an approved vacation and will resume their responsibilities upon returning to the company.
• For above point friends and siblings also has to present job contract and salary slips for same.
• For Retired Parents you can choose "Unemployed" and does not require ITR if they do not get any fixed income or pension etc.



• This is how my checklist looks for reference when I invited my Parents and Friends Together

#Reference Check for Parents and have Partner :
• Appointment letter
• Application form
• Invite letter
• Sponsorship form
• Doula letter
• Vaccination form
• Vaccination certificate
• Tickets
• Insurance policy
• Passport copy - Your Parent
• Passport Copy - Your
• Resident Card - Your
• Account Statement
• Health Declaration
• Cover letter
• Consent Letter
• Aadhar Copy
• Full Passport


#Reference Check for Friends :
• Appointment letter
• Application form
• Invite letter
• Sponsorship form
• Vaccination form
• Vaccination certificate
• Tickets
• Insurance policy
• Passport copy - Friend
• Passport Copy - Mahak
• Resident Card - Mahak
• Account Statement
• Health Declaration
• Cover letter
• Consent Letter
• Aadhar Copy
• Full Passport


Now, take it easy and invite your loved one to Netherlands and for Europe tour, baaki Zehan me rahu aapke toh saath samjh lunga. Milte hai Comedy Show pe !

Cheers,

Mahak