How to Fill a Schengen Visa Application Form?

Applying for a Schengen visa is a necessary step when traveling to any of the 29 European countries that form the Schengen Area. This agreement among member states has eliminated border controls, facilitating seamless travel for citizens within the region. To obtain a Schengen visa, you must complete a Schengen visa application form that collects personal and trip-related information.

It is crucial that you complete the application form with accuracy to ensure a successful visa process. The same application form is used for travel to any Schengen country and is distributed to all applicants.

How to Fill in the Schengen Visa Application Form? (Step-by-Step Guide)

There are 32 questions on the Schengen visa application form. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fill it:

Field	Field	Answer
1	Surname (Family name)	Write down your surname/family name, which you currently have.
2	Surname at birth (Former family name (s))	Write down the family name you had when you were born (aka, your surname or last name).
3	First name (s) (Given name(s))	Write down your first name. Your name should be written down exactly as it appears on your travel document. Do not write down your surname here.
4	Date of birth.	Write down the date you were born. The format should be day/month/year.
5	Place of birth	Write down the place (village, town, city, or area) where you were born.
6	Country of birth	Write down the country you were born in
7	Current nationality.	Write down your nationality. Your nationality should be the same as the authority who issued your travel document. If you have dual nationality, you must choose the country of the travel document you wish to travel with.
	Nationality at birth	Write down if you had a different nationality when you were born.
	Other nationalities	If applicable, list any other nationalities you have.
8	Sex	Specify your legal sex as stated on your travel document at the time of your application.
9	Marital (civil) status	Select one of the following, depending on your current civil status. Single, married, registered partnership, separated, divorced, widow (er). Or, if none apply, fill in the ‘Other’ field.
10	Parental authority	If the applicant is a minor, parental or legal guardian authority is required. Write down the parent or guardian’s surname, first name, address (if different from the applicant’s), telephone number, email address, and country of nationality.
11	National identity number	Write down your national identity number, as specified in your identity document.
12	Type of travel document	Select the type of travel document you are using to enter the Schengen member state from the options provided. If none apply, select ‘Other travel document’ and specify what type of travel document you own.
13	Number of travel document	Write down the number of your passport or travel document. It is a unique number with several digits, which is usually located on the first page of your passport, near your photo and personal information.
14	Date of issue	Write down the date your travel document was issued. Make sure the date you put in the form is the same as the one on the passport/travel document.
15	Validity	Write down until what date your travel document will be valid.
16	Issued by:	Write down the country that issued your travel document
17	Personal data of the family member who is an EU, EEA or CH citizen if applicable	If you have an immediate family member who is an EU, EEA, or CH citizen, you must provide their surname (family name), first name (given name), date of birth, nationality, as well as national ID number. If this does not apply, write “N/A’ or “Not Applicable”.
18	Family relationship with an EU, EEA or CH citizen if applicable	If you have an EU/EEA/CH family member, select the family relationship from the provided options (spouse, child, grandchild, dependent ascendant, registered partner, or other). If this does not apply, write “N/A’ or “Not Applicable”.
19	Applicant’s home address and e-mail address:	In this field, you must provide your full home address and email address. Make sure there are no errors in either.
19	Telephone no.	Write down your phone number, with any required national codes.
20	Residence in a country other than the country of current nationality	If you have a residence permit (or an equivalent) in a country that is not your nationality, write it down. Write the number of your residence permit card and specify until when it is valid.
21	Current occupation	Write down your current occupation’s title as stated on your work contract or other work documents. If you are unemployed, write “N/A’ or “Not Applicable”.
22	Employer and employer’s address and telephone number. For students, name and address of educational establishment.	Write down your employer’s name, work address, and telephone number. If you are a student, you may write down the name and address of your educational establishment.
23	Purpose(s) of the journey	Select the reason for your trip to the Schengen Area from the listed options.
24	Additional information on purpose of stay	In this field, you can explain in more detail why you want to visit the Schengen Area. For example, if you will visit a family member, you can write, “I want to visit my sister, who has just given birth because I want to meet my nephew.”
25	Member State of main destination (and other Member States of destination, if applicable)	Write down the Schengen State in which you will spend the most amount of time or in which you have the “main” reason for traveling. If you will visit multiple countries, write them all down.
26	Member State of first entry	Write down the Schengen State through which you will enter the Schengen Area.
27	Number of entries requested:	Select whether you are applying for a single-, double-, or multiple-entry visa. Do not request a multiple-entry visa if you do not have the necessary documents to back up your application (i.e., if you do not have a “good enough reason” to be applying for a multiple-entry Schengen visa)
27	Intended date of arrival of the first intended stay in the Schengen area: Intended date of departure from the Schengen area after the first intended stay	Write down the dates in which you plan to enter and leave the Schengen Area on your first entry. The date format should be “day/month/year.”
28	Fingerprints collected previously for the purpose of applying for a Schengen visa	If you select “yes”, continue to the following question about the date and visa sticker. If you select “no,” you can leave the following section blank.
Date, if known. Visa sticker number, if known…	If you know the date in which you have previously provided your biometrics, write it down, along with the number of the visa sticker.
29	Entry permit for the final country of destination, where applicable	If (after you leave the Schengen Area), your next destination is different from your home country, you must provide supporting evidence that you are permitted to continue your travel outside the Schengen Area. For instance, if you are a Mexican citizen residing in Canada with a valid work permit, you should present your work permit as proof that you can re-enter Canada from the Schengen Area.
30	Surname and first name of the inviting person(s) in the Member State(s). If not applicable, name of hotel(s) or temporary accommodation(s) in the Member State(s)	If applicable: Write down the personal information, e.g., first name and surname of the person who is hosting you in the Schengen area. If you are visiting multiple countries in the Schengen area, hence you have more than one host, write down their names as well. If not applicable, write down the name of the hotel (s) or temporary accommodation(s) in the Member State(s).
31	Name and address of inviting company/organization	If applicable: Write down the surname, first name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of contact person in the company or organization that is inviting you to the Schengen area. Also, provide the telephone number of the company or organization.
32	Cost of travelling and living during the applicant’s stay is covered:	From the provided options, select the method through which you will finance your visit to the Schengen Area. The main options are “by the applicant himself/herself” or “by a sponsor (host, company, organisation)”. You must also specify the means of financial support (cash, pre-paid accommodation, traveler cheques, etc).

Note: Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need to fill in questions 21, 22, 30, 31, and 32, which are marked with an asterisk in the application form.

Date and Signature

The last step of the application form requires you to sign the application form, at the very end.

Place and date. Write the place and date of where and when you are applying. You must write the date when you completed the application form, regardless if you submitted the application form at a later date.
Sign the application form before you finally submit your application. You must sign the form, the applicant. However, in the case of minors, the parent or the legal guardian must sign on behalf of the minor.

Note: If any questions do not apply to you, e.g., you do not have a sponsor in the Schengen Area, you may write N/A (no answer).

How Can I Fill in the Schengen Visa Application Form?

When filling out a Schengen visa application form, you have the following main options:

By hand. You can print the application form and fill it out manually using a pen or pencil. Make sure to write legibly and follow the instructions carefully.
Some countries provide the option to fill out the application form online. This allows you to enter your information digitally and generate a completed form that can be printed out. Check the website of the consulate or embassy of the Schengen country you are applying to for online application options.
Fillable PDF. Some Schengen countries provide a fillable PDF version of the application form. You can download this form, open it on your computer, and type your information directly into the fields. Once completed, you can print the form for submission.

It’s important to note that the available options may vary depending on the specific requirements and procedures of the Schengen country you are applying to. Therefore, it’s recommended to visit the official website of the consulate or embassy or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the application process.

Tips on How to Fill in the Schengen Visa Application Form

When filling out the Schengen visa application form, keep the following in mind:

Read the instructions carefully. Go through the instructions provided with the application form and those on each field. Understand the requirements and follow the guidelines provided by the consulate or embassy.
Be accurate and consistent. Ensure that all information you provide is accurate and matches the details on your travel document. Use the same format and spelling for your name, dates, and addresses throughout the form.
Complete all mandatory fields. Fill in all the required fields. Leave no section blank; if a question does not apply to you, write “N/A” or “Not Applicable” instead.
Use clear and legible handwriting. Use neat and legible handwriting if you are filling out the form by hand. Avoid any stray marks or overwriting to ensure clarity.
Review before submission. Double-check your form for any errors or omissions before submitting it. Mistakes or missing information can delay the processing of your application or even lead to its rejection.
Seek assistance if needed. If you have any doubts or concerns while filling out the form, consult the consulate or embassy or seek professional assistance from a visa consultant or immigration lawyer.