Navigating the Schengen Visa Application: A Personal Journey from France
Sharing My Experience and Essential Tips
Having recently navigated the Schengen visa application process myself and meticulously prepared all the necessary documents, I wanted to share some valuable tips based on my personal journey. This account details my experience applying for a business and tourism visa for France, the Netherlands, and Italy. If you're interested, feel free to reach out; I'm happy to share the cover letter I drafted (free of charge), though please remember it's a personal example and may not perfectly suit everyone's situation.
Personal Information and Financial Profile
As a business owner with a legally registered company, albeit a young one, I approach this with a proprietor's perspective. I am a woman in my twenties, single, which meant I needed to be extra diligent in demonstrating ties to my home country. I have paid the local business tax and corporate taxes for the last three months. My company's bank statement also clearly shows cash flow. Academically, I graduated from an international university with 100% English-taught programs last year, so my English proficiency is strong.
Residential Address and the Hurdles of Residency Confirmation
A unique aspect of my application was my household registration in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, despite having lived in Hanoi for nearly a year. To process my visa, I needed a residency confirmation from Northern Vietnam, which proved to be a bit challenging and required an additional service fee. Furthermore, the original residency confirmation I submitted for my Japanese visa had gone missing. When I needed it translated and notarized, the official seal on the original was faded, causing several places to refuse service. Fortunately, my company has a history of mentoring students for scholarships and assisting with study abroad visa applications, allowing us to find a reputable translation and notarization service to legitimize my documents.
I remember rushing my Japanese visa application as well and forgetting to double-check with them. I've heard that applying for Japanese and French visas from Hanoi might be easier; I wonder if that's true.
The Cover Letter: Your Crucial Asset
I put significant effort into crafting my cover letter, clearly stating the purpose of my trip as a blend of business and leisure. In the letter, I outlined a preliminary itinerary covering three countries: France, the Netherlands, and Italy. Importantly, I had an invitation letter from my company in France, which sponsored my flights and hotel for three days (April 11th to April 14th). Beyond that:
- I planned to enter on April 11th and independently booked hotels and train tickets for the remaining days.
- My flight tickets were purchased through Qatar Airways and Emirates (arranged and paid for by my French company).
- My travel itinerary was straightforward: starting in Paris, moving to the Netherlands, and finally returning to Vietnam from Rome.
- I avoided overly detailed minute-by-minute schedules, opting for a general yet logical and believable plan, as a genuine traveler would.
- Hotel bookings were made on Booking.com, favoring mid-range options—not too cheap to compromise safety, and not excessively expensive to avoid unnecessary costs.
Demonstrating Financial Stability
To support my application, I provided:
- A savings account with approximately 300 million Vietnamese Dong:
- One account was opened over a year ago.
- Two new accounts were opened just a few days before the application submission, reflecting my fluctuating business income.
- A car ownership certificate (scanned and submitted as is, without translation or notarization).
- Bank statements from two accounts.
- My business registration document.
- A life insurance policy (information about the insurance company and policy number were provided, without attaching images).
I also hold a signature credit card, but I regrettably forgot to include it in my application.
The Most Important Aspects of Your Visa Submission
My key takeaways emphasize authenticity and thoroughness:
- Never submit fabricated documents. I've heard about services that create fake bank statements and other documents, but getting caught is a definitive rejection.
- If you are young and single, like myself, focus on reinforcing your ties to Vietnam. This includes your job, assets, insurance, and any invitation letters.
- Avoid overly detailed daily itineraries; they can appear disingenuous. Present your plans as a genuine tourist would – logical and reasonable.
- When submitting your documents, organize them by category. A helpful tip is to group flight tickets and hotel bookings into a separate file, print them, and clip them together within your main application.
While the processing time for French visas seemed a bit longer this time, I received my visa just 11 days after submission.
