Blogs > Visas

Travelling to Europe on a Skilled Worker Visa (Schengan Visas)

• February 25, 2022

A lot of Doctors contact us wanting to know whether they can use their Skilled worker visa to travel to different areas within Europe. The answer is yes, you can travel to Europe for Tourism, once you have obtained a Schengen Visa.

A Tourist Schengen Visa permits nationals to enter into the Schengen Area (see image) for a maximum of 90 days within a 6-month period, under the purpose of traveling or visiting Europe for pleasure.

You must apply for this Visa at least 15 days before your intended visit to Europe and no more than 3 months before.

Am I eligible and What will I need to apply?

When applying for a Schengan Visa, you will have to provide documentation which differs dependant on which Schengan states you plan on visiting. The specific requirements for each of the states can be found here. However, here is a list of the most common requirements and documents that a person will need to successfully obtain a Schengan Visa in the UK.

1)  A valid passport :

• Your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years
• Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
• The passport must have 2 full blank pages to accommodate the visa stamp

2) A completed and signed Shengan Visa Application Form, which can be found here.

3) A cover Letter :

• Explaining the purpose of your travel
• Identifying which state or states you will be visiting

4) Proof of travel arrangements :

• Flight Reservations
• Hotel Reservations

5) Proof of financial sufficiency:

• A document that proves you have the financial ability to travel and reside abroad in the specific state you plan on visiting within the Schengan Area
• A personal bank statement / Proof of employment / Pay slips

6) Letter stating the status of your UK Employment:

• Salary
• Hire Date
• Position
• Dates of Vacation

How do I apply?

To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK you must book an appointment with the relevant Consulate or Embassy in London. You can do this by visiting in person or by applying via a credited agency (i.e VFS or BLS).

Consulates advise visa applicants to apply well in advance of their planned trip in order to avoid any unwanted complications.

What is the cost?

When applying for a Schengen visa you will have to pay a non-refundable fee. The cost will vary dependant on the type of Visa you are applying for, the length of time you will be visiting, and the specific states you are visiting. The fees below represent the average cost of Schengan Visa applications:

Schengen Visa Category (by age)	Fee in UK Pound
Adult	51 £
Child between 6-12 years of age	30 £
Child younger than 6 years of age	Free

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References

Schengen Visa Info. (2020). Tourist Schengen Visa – Traveling to Europe for Tourism. [online] Available at: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/tourist-schengen-visa/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].

Schengen-visa-info.eu. (2020). Schengen visa countries - Schengen Visa Information. [online] Available at: https://www.schengen-visa-info.eu/schengen-visa-countries [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].