Europe Visit Visa from Sri Lanka

Are you planning a trip from Sri Lanka to Europe?

If so, this is the perfect guide for you.

Visiting Europe is a great opportunity to learn things and explore various places.

In fact, it’s an exciting opportunity to get any business prospects, tourist attractions, or even visit your family back there.

Anyway, the way people travel between Sri Lanka and Europe has really changed over the years.

This means that we’re seeing more flights and more Sri Lankans wanting to explore European countries more often.

Speaking of which, the Schengen visa covers 27 European countries by making travel easier. But you’ll need to pay attention when applying. 

Therefore, getting the process right is really important for your visa application and your European adventure to begin with a great start.

So, let’s find out more details regarding this.

Types of Schengen Visas that are Available

Let’s talk about the main visa types that you can get from Sri Lanka. 

First, there’s the Short-stay visa (Type C). Which allows you to stay and explore Europe for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

Most people go for this one when it comes to tourist purposes, business travels, or even when visiting their family. 

Then there’s the Airport transit visa (Type A). Which you’ll need if you’re just passing through the international transit area of Schengen airports. 

Moreover, you should also know about the single-entry and multiple-entry visas. 

In fact, single-entry means you can enter once. While multiple-entry allows you to come and go several times while your visa is valid.

Note: Multiple-entry visa is pretty great if you’re planning on multiple trips.

Eligibility Requirements

In this case, your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after you plan to return, and it can’t be older than ten years. 

Money-wise, you typically need to show that you have around €100 per day. As in this amount could change depending on the country that you are visiting. 

Moreover, you’ll need travel insurance that covers at least €30,000 across all Schengen countries.

Eventhough many people don’t consider it as a major concern, having travel insurance is really important when it comes to issues during your trip. 

In addition to that, you also need to show where you’re staying. This could be either hotel bookings or letters from people who are hosting you. 

Furthermore, it’s really important to show that you have strong connections to Sri Lanka, like a job, property, or family. 

This is because it helps them to know that you’re planning to come back without breaking their rules.

Required Documents

As the first step, you’ll need to fill out and sign the application form in the correct way.

Moreover, you’ll also need a recent passport photo that meets their specific requirements. 

Also, have your current passport (original and copies), as well as any old passports if you have them. 

Plus, they want to see your bank statements from the last six months to check whether you have a regular income and enough money that has been saved up. 

Additionally, you need to show them exactly where you’re going. Which means your flight bookings, your daily plans, and where you’re staying during your trip. 

On the other hand, if you’re working, you’ll need documents to prove it, like approval for time off and salary slips. 

Note: If you are running your own business, you’ll need your business registration papers.

Step-by-Step Application Process 

First of all, you need to figure out which embassy to apply to, this depends on where you’ll spend most of your time in Europe. 

Many European countries handle visas through VFS Global in Colombo, and you’ll need to book an appointment online before going there. 

Once you get the forms, fill out those much more carefully, whereas everything needs to match up with your supporting documents. 

Then, you’ll have to go to the visa center in person to give your fingerprints and photo. 

When it comes to charges, the visa fee is about €80 for adults and €40 for kids, and you must pay those in Sri Lankan rupees. 

Note: Usually, it takes 15 to 30 days to process, but this can take longer during busy seasons.

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

Let’s talk about why visas sometimes get rejected because it’s good to know these things so you can tackle them.

Well, missing or mismatched documents are a big issue that falls into the red zone. 

Also, they don’t like seeing sudden large deposits in your bank account or if you don’t have enough money to prove your money capabilities. 

Moreover, if your travel plans don’t make sense or seem unrealistic, that’s another red flag. 

Plus, if you haven’t travelled much before, especially to Europe, they might be a bit more careful with your application. 

Special Considerations

Always remember that if you’re visiting several Schengen countries, you need to apply through the embassy of the country where you’ll spend most of your time. 

Let’s say that you are travelling with your family.

In that case, you must submit every application together, and remember that kids need extra documents like parent permission forms and birth certificates. 

For business trips, you’ll need invitation letters from European companies or proof that you’re attending conferences or trade fairs. 

On the bright side, it’s good to know about visa extensions, too, even though they only give them in special cases. 

Note: They might speed things up with your visa in emergencies, like if there’s a family crisis or urgent business needs, but this doesn’t happen more often.

Getting a Schengen visa from Sri Lanka takes good planning and attention to detail. 

As from our guide, we hope that you got all the points you need to note down.

Moreover, you can also find helpful information on the VFS Global website, embassy websites, and official Schengen visa websites. 

Also, if you need more help, you can talk to travel agents or lawyers who know about visa conditions. 

Anyway, we know that the process might feel overwhelming, but if you prepare well and understand what they want, you’ve got a good chance of success. 

Therefore, keep checking official sources for any new changes in visa rules to make sure that your application goes as smoothly as possible.

Contact Travelco to book Europe tour packages from Sri Lanka.