Schengen Visa in Ghana
Schengen Visa in Ghana
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Schengen Visa in Ghana
Schengen Visa in Ghana

Visa to the Schengen Member States

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The Schengen visa is an arrangement between 25 member countries (22 EU states and 3 non-EU members) to make traveling in the Schengen territory much easier and less bureaucratic. It is an area without internal borders, an area within which many citizens, many non-EU nationals, business people and tourists can freely circulate without being subjected to border checks.

Traveling on a Schengen visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) Member States using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a visitor’s visa, so the purpose of the visitor must be leisure, tourism or business.

Types of Schengen Visa

A Schengen visa may be issued for a number of entries. This refers to the number of visits that may carried out during the period of validity of the visa whiles respecting the length of the authorized stay.

One Entry Schengen Visa

As the name indicates this type of visa allows for only one entry. During this period, the holder is allowed to travel once to the territory of the Member States.

Once the holder leaves the territory of the Member States, they are not entitled to re-enter even if the total number of authorized days of stay have not been used.

Two Entries Schengen Visa

This visa allows for two entries. During this period the holder may be authorized to stay for a total of 90 days divided into two separate trips.

Multiple Entries Schengen Visa

This visa allows for multiple entries. During this period the holder is allowed to stay up to 90 days per 6-month period. The stay can be divided into as many separate trips as wished by the visa holder.

How to apply for a Schengen visa

Even though a Schengen visa allows the holder to freely travel within all Member States, there are rules for establishing which Member State is competent to deal with an application based on the applicant’s travel destination.

  • If the travel destination is one Member State, that Member State’s consulate is the competent authority to deal with the application.
  • If the travel destination includes more than one Member State, the application must be dealt with by the consulate of the main destination. The main destination is understood to be the destination where the applicant intends to spend the longest time or where the main purpose of the intended journey is carried out.
  • If the applicant is unable to determine the main destination or if they will be spending equal number of nights in multiple Member States, the consulate of the Member State whose external border the applicant intends to cross must deal with the application.
  • If an applicant is applying for a visa with limited territorial validity, they need to apply to the concerned consulate for the examination of the application.
  • If an applicant does not need a visa for the Member State of their main destination or first point of entry, they may require a visa for other Member States they may wish to visit. In such an instance, the applicant needs to apply at the consulate of the first Member State that require they have a visa.
Issuance by representation

If the Member State responsible for issuing the Schengen visa does not have any consulate in a third country for the purposes of receiving and deciding on the application, a visa may be issued by representation by the consulate of a country that represents the interests of the country responsible in that particular third country. A member State may agree to represent another Member State for the purpose of:

  • examining visa applications and issuing visas, including the collection of visa applications and biometric identifiers; or
  • only collecting the visa applications and the biometric identifiers.

When a visa has been issued by representation, the letter “R” must be entered under the heading “Remarks”, followed by the country code of the county on whose behalf the visa is issued. Representation applies only for the issuance of visas. Travelers that cannot get a visa for inability to provide sufficient proof that they fulfill the relevant conditions may also apply at the consulate of the main destination in a neighbouring country if the need arises.

When to apply for a Schengen visa

The general principle is that a visa application should be lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit and cannot be lodged earlier than 3 months before the start of the intended visit. Processing times vary at different consulates in different parts of the world. It is recommended that a person apply for a Schengen visa approximately 3 months before their intended travel. A holder of a multiple-entry visa may apply for a new visa before the expiry of the validity of the visa currently held. However, the validity of the new visa must complement the current visa, i.e. a person cannot hold two uniform visas valid for the same period in time.

The usual processing time for deciding on a visa application is 15 calendar days after the submission of the application. In individual cases where further scrutiny of the application is needed by the consulate’s own central authorities or in the case of representation where the authorities of the represented member state are consulted, the deadline may be extended up to a maximum of 30 calendar days. In exceptional cases, where additional documentation is required the deadline may be extended up to a maximum of 60 days.

Some consulates allow for walk-inns while others allow submission of application by appointment only. However in justified cases of urgency, an appointment may be given immediately or direct access for submitting the application may be allowed. A situation is considered as one of urgency where the visa could not have been applied earlier for reasons that could not have been foreseen by the applicant.

Must the applicant appear in person to submit their application?

As a general rule an applicant should submit their application in person at the consulate. Applicants must also submit the application in person when finger prints are to be collected. The objective of the submission in person is to allow consular staff to gain an impression of the substance of the application and ask questions about the purpose of travel and the documents submitted.

Notwithstanding this general rule, exemptions may be granted to certain persons from lodging their application in person. This exemption is normally granted to persons who are known to the consulate for their integrity and reliability in which case this requirement may be waived by allowing them to have their application submitted by a third party or sent by post. This exemption cannot be granted to first time applicants.

Consulates may in justified cases, call an applicant for an interview during the examination of the application. This call for an interview is however distinct from the personal appearance for submitting the application. The applicant may be called for an interview when the examination of the visa application on the basis of the information and documentation available does not allow for taking a final decision to either issue a visa or refuse the application.

Consideration of the visa application

In order for a visa application to be considered admissible the following requirements must be fulfilled:

  • a completed and signed application form;
  • a photograph that meets standard technical specifications;
  • where applicable collection of biometric data.
  • payment of visa fee; and
  • a passport or travel document with a validity period of not less than 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Member State;
General supporting documents for Schengen visa

The purpose of the supporting documents is to allow the relevant authorities to assess whether the applicant fulfils the entry conditions and to assess the possible risk of illegal immigration and for security risks. The documents should provide evidence of:

  • the purpose of the intended journey;
  • proof of accommodation or proof of sufficient means to cover the applicant’s accommodation;
  • that the applicant possesses sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to their country of residence, or for the transit to a third country into which they are certain to be admitted or that they are in a position to acquire such means lawfully in accordance with article 5(1)( c ) and (3) of the Schengen Borders Code;
  • information enabling an assessment of the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the member states before the expiry of the visa applied for.
Supporting documents for a Business trip

The supporting documents for a business trip must be in the following:

  • an invitation from a firm or an authority to attend meetings, conferences or events connected with trade, industry or work. Invitations should preferably be personalised but generic invitations may be accepted;
  • other documents which show the existence of trade relations or relations for work purposes. Examples of this evidence may include contracts, payment of invoices, lists of orders;
  • entry tickets for fairs and congresses, if appropriate;
  • documents proving the business activities of the company. This may include annual business register, extract of commerce register, annual report, etc;
  • documents proving the applicant’s employment status in the company. This may be evidenced by reference to employment contract, proof of social security contributions, pay slips, etc.
Supporting documents for purposes of study

To apply for a Schengen visa for the purposes of study, an applicant must in addition to the general requirements provide evidence of the following:

  • a certificate of enrolment at an educational establishment for the purposes of attending vocational or theoretical courses in the frame work of basic and further training.
  • student cards or certificates of the course to be attended. A student card proving the status of the applicant in their country of residence is not sufficient as supporting document. A student card can only be accepted as supporting document if it is issued by the host university, academy, institute, college or school where the studies or educational training is going to take place.
Supporting documents for purposes of tourism or private reasons

To apply for a Schengen visa for the purposes of tourism, an applicant must in addition to the general requirements provide evidence of the following:

  • an invitation from the host if applicant proposes to stay with one. This might be a specific form as serving as proof of private accommodation;
  • a copy of ID card or bio data page of the host’s passport or residence permit.
  • proof of residence. This may be evidenced by property title deeds, rental agreements, proof of income etc;
  • a document from the establishment providing accommodation or any other appropriate document indicating the accommodation envisaged. An appropriate document may be a document proving the existence of a rental agreement or a property title deed;
  • confirmation of the booking of an organised trip or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans. In the case of a transit visa there must be proof of visa or other entry permit for the third country as well as tickets for the onward journey. Documents regarding the itinerary should be completed with documents regarding the means of transport. This may be in the form of reservation of return or round ticket if travelling by a public means of transport or driver’s license, car insurance if travelling by private car.
Supporting documents for medical reasons

To apply for a Schengen visa for medical reasons, an applicant must in addition to the general requirements provide evidence of the following:

  • certificate from a medical doctor designated by the consulate and/or a medical institution that the claimed medical treatment is not available in the applicant’s country of origin;
  • an official document of the receiving medical institution confirming that it can perform the specific medical treatment and the patient will be accepted accordingly;
  • proof of sufficient financial means to pay for the medical treatment and related expenses;
  • proof of payment of treatment;
  • any other correspondence between the sending medical doctor and the receiving hospitals, if available.
Supporting documents for journeys undertaken for political, cultural, scientific, sports or religious events

For ‘active’ participants like lectures, athletes, and performers etc, the following documents must be supplied in addition to the general requirements:

  • invitation, enrolments or programs stating (wherever possible) the name of the host organisation and the length of stay or any other appropriate document indicating the purpose of the journey. The supporting documents shall specify the duration of the event;
  • in the case of an invitation by a non-profit organization to an event, the applicant should provide an official document stating that the organisation is registered as such and that the applicant represents it;
  • where relevant, it should be established within local Schengen cooperation which is the authority competent for such registration.

For ‘passive’ participants such as audience, supporters, etc. the applicant must show proof of entry tickets.

Documents showing the applicant’s intention to depart the territory of the Member States

The assessment of the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa depends mainly on the stability of their socio-economic situation in their country of residence with reference to the applicant’s financial situation, stability of employment, family ties, etc. Evidence that may relevant in establishing the intention includes:

  • reservation of or return or round ticket. In general, a paid ticket is not required but can be requested in exceptional circumstances;
  • proof of financial means in the country of residence. This may be proved by recent bank statements showing movement of means over a certain period (minimum of 3 months);
  • proof of employment. This may be provided by a work contract, certificate of employment, information on professional status, bank statements, proof of social security contribution, etc;
  • proof of real estate property.This may be proved by title deed;
  • proof of integration into the country of residence in the form of family ties and/or professional status. Family ties may be proved by a marriage certificate or any document regarding parents and/or children and their place of residence;
  • where the applicant is a minor, consent of parental authority or legal guardianship in a case where the minor is not travelling with them;
  • proof of family ties with the host/inviting person.
Document showing sufficient means of subsistence

An applicant is required to provide proof that they possess sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or residence, or for transit to a third country into which the applicant is certain to be admitted or that they are in a position to acquire such means lawfully. This proof may be evidenced by:

  • recent bank statement showing movements of means over a certain period (at least the past 3 months);
  • credit card(s) and a credit card account statement;
  • cash in convertible currency;
  • travelers cheques;
  • salary slips;
  • certificate of employment;
  • registered proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation.

In assessing what is considered “sufficient means of subsistence” consular officers are required to take into account:

  • whether accommodation is provided free of charge to the applicant; and/or
  • whether the cost of the stay is covered entirely or partly by a reliable sponsor.
How to estimate sufficient means of subsistence

The consular officer is required to estimate both the amount of sufficient financial means necessary for the stay and reliability of the financial resources presented. In assessing the reliability of the means of subsistence presented, the consular officer is required to take account of the local context. This determination is made on account of:

  • the length of the intended stay;
  • the purpose of the intended journey;
  • the cost of living as notified by the Member States in accordance with Annex 18 of the Code. The consulate is required to accept as sufficient financial recourses below that estimate if the applicant benefits from financial support or free services (or at a reduced prices during the period spent within the territory of the Member States);
  • proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation;
  • a reliable and credible certificate confirming financial support of a legal resident within the territory of the member states;
  • a prepaid receipt from a reliable travel agency.

The consular officer is also required to request sufficient financial resources above that estimate when the purpose of travel is:

  • luxury tourism;
  • medical treatment in order to cover the cost of such treatment calculated on the basis of a realistic estimate made by the host medical entity, unless such cost is covered by a reliable entity that can be verified by an accredited doctor;
  • study in order to cover the cost of the school fees unless covered by a reliable sponsorship or proof that such costs have been prepaid.
Travel Medical Insurance

An applicant who applies for a Schengen visa for one or two entries must present proof of a travel medical insurance to cover the intended visits upon submission of the application. A travel medical insurance is adequate and valid if it meets the following criteria:

  • the minimum coverage must be at least EUR 30000;
  • the insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and must cover the entire period of the applicant’s intended stay or transit within the validity of the visa. This means the insurance must cover the period of effective stay, and not the validity of the visa.
Collection of visa decision

The issue is whether or not an applicant is required to appear in person to collect their travel document. The applicant should in principle collect the travel document and other documents to be returned, if any in person. This requirement however may be waived where the applicant:

  • authorises a third party to collect the travel document of the consulate;
  • requests that the travel document be returned by courier service, at the applicant’s expense.
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