GENERAL INFORMATION ON SCHENGEN VISAS (SHORT-TERM STAY)

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1 Consular Section Opening hours to the public: Monday Friday, British High Commission Building Plot Queens Road, Main Mall P.O. Box 315, Gaborone, Botswana Tel.: (00267) / Fax: (00267) info@gaborone.diplo.de Website: GENERAL INFORMATION ON SCHENGEN VISAS (SHORT-TERM STAY) (August 2016) In order to ensure a speedy processing of your visa application, please read this information sheet carefully! The German Embassy in Gaborone is in charge of visa applications from applicants who reside in Botswana and whose main destination in the Schengen Area (according to purpose and length of the intended stay) is Germany, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, Sweden or Switzerland (see also last page for list of Schengen member countries). A Schengen Visa allows the holder to travel freely in the Schengen Area up to 90 days per six months. Please note that despite having a valid passport and visa, you may be refused entry at the border if you are not in a position to provide proof of the purpose and conditions of your intended stay, financial means, health insurance etc. or otherwise do not fulfil the entry requirements. Please note: According to the Visa Codex, the processing time for visa applications is up to 15 days. It is, therefore, the applicant s responsibility to ensure a timely application and to make sure that the required documents are complete upon submission. Important: Do not submit your application more than 3 months before your intended date of depature! Each application must include all the required documents. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and you may have to return another time. Please note: A visa application, together with all necessary documents, must be handed in in person. Please understand that documents sent by /fax/post will not be considered. The required documents can only be accepted in English or German language version. Please note: Before submitting your application: Please make sure to retain a set of copies of all relevant documents. Once the application has been submitted, subsequent requests for copies from your file cannot be considered. Please note: In order to avoid time-consuming requests for additional information or documentation, please read the requirement sheet carefully. If you have any queries or feel that your case may not be covered, please contact the Embassy by (info@gaborone.diplo.de) well in advance of your travel dates for clarification. Please note: Groups of more than 5 applicants need to make an appointment. If a group of applicants travels together (same flight dates, accommodation etc.), make sure that each applicant submits the full set of documents (e.g. one invitation letter for the whole group cannot be accepted). Important: On the application form, please indicate your physical home address (not a P.O. Box or Private Bag)! Sign the application form at the bottom of page 2! Do not attach the picture to the application form!

2 Additional information for applicants whose main destination is Austria: If you visit family/friends and cannot prove sufficient funds for the length of your stay, the host as to report to the local magistrate s office and obtain a formal obligation code (Elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung EVE). Denmark: Please fill in additional forms VU1 or VU2 required by the Danish authorities. These forms can be obtained from the website of the Danish Immigration Service: Sweden: Please fill in additional forms required by the Swedish authorities. The form Family details has to be duly completed by all applicants regardless of the purpose of their trip. In addition, the Questionnaire for visa applicants Appendix A has to be filled in for business trips or the form Invitation for applicants who wish to visit relatives or friends. These forms can be obtained from the following website: The following documents have to be submitted for all applications: Duly completed application form One passport-size picture Passport (has to be valid for at least 3 months after intended return and has to have at least two blank pages) of passport data page If you are not a Botswana national, residence permit (valid at least 3 months after expiry of visa) Travel health insurance (minimum coverage: Euros) Flight itinerary If you are employed: Proof of employment (Letter from your employer) If you are self-employed: share certificate Proof of financial means: Personal bank statements for last three months (stamped by bank) Salary slips for the last three months If applicable: Other documents that proof your financial means Please note: If applicant cannot prove adequate financial means, host has to obtain formal declaration of obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) from German immigration authority or (if main destination is not Germany) host has to give proof of his financial means (e.g. bank statements, salary slips). + copy + copy Certified copy + copy or certified copy + copy Please note: If, for example, a family travels together and one family member covers the expense of the trip, a respective letter as well as proof of financial means (bank statements, salary slips etc.) need to be added to each family member s application file.

3 Minor applicants: Both parents or the parent/person who has custody of the child have to be present upon submission and sign the application form in the presence of the visa officer. If one parent has sole custody, adequate proof must be provided. If both parents cannot be present, original affidavit of absent parent is required. Birth certificate Parents passports + copy + copy If applicable: Letter from school confirming absence Fee of 60, - Euro, payable in Pula only. The fee is subject to the Embassy s current exchange rate. Please note: In case of a refusal of your application, the fee will not be refunded. Further document requirements depending on the purpose of your stay Visit (family/friends): Invitation letter, signed by host, stating the purpose of the trip, intended length of stay and, if applicable, if host will provide accommodation, meals etc. Host s passport If applicant cannot prove adequate financial means: formal declaration of obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) from German immigration authority or (if main destination is not Germany) host has to give proof of his financial means (e.g. bank statements, salary slips). + copy Tourism: Hotel reservation(s) and any other bookings indicating the purpose of your stay Business: Signed invitation letter from business partner in the Schengen country of destination explaining the purpose of the trip and, if applicable, other evidence (e.g. entry tickets to trade fairs etc.). If the costs are borne by the business partner, this must be also stated in the invitation letter. Confirmation from your employer regarding your position as well as the purpose and conditions of your trip, including how the costs will be met. Hotel reservation/proof of accommodation

4 Government officials (incl. BDF) Note Verbal, stating - name of applicant and personal details (date and place of birth) - Type and number of passport - Name of the government institution where the applicant is employed, rank/position - purpose of travel - travel dates and mode of travel - destination (incl. name/title of inviting institution/company) - Important: Full guarantee of the Government of Botswana to cover all the costs that may arise during the trip (including health related issues) Savingram from the Ministry/Institution where the applicant is working Hotel reservation/proof of accommodation Invitation letter from inviting organization Transit only (no proof of financial means required) Valid visa for the destination country + copy

5 The Schengen visa is valid for the following countries: AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BULGARIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND, ITALY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBURG, MALTA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SWEDEN, SPAIN, SWITZERLAND Please apply at the German Embassy if your main destination is: G e r m a n y A u s t r i a D e n m a r k E s t o n i a F i n l a n d H u n g a r y M a l t a P o r t u g a l S w e d e n S w i t z e r l a n d Applicants who want to visit Schengen member countries that are not categorized by Embassies representing them (see above) will need to apply at their respective nearest Embassy/Consulate. (July 2016)