Find Yello wants to help Jamaicans to broaden their travel horizons. First, we opened your eyes to the possibility of flying to Europe from Jamaica without it totally destroying your savings.

Then we shared some helpful information on how to fill out the Schengen visa application if you’re Jamaican.

Now we’re helping you with the rest of the Schengen visa requirements for Jamaicans. Let’s go through the supporting documents you’ll need when you head to the embassy for your visa appointment.

1. A completed and signed application form

For help on how to fill out the application form, read through our article on applying for a Schengen visa as a Jamaican. 

2. Proof of financial means

Request a statement from your bank showing figures and details for your account over the last three months. If the costs of your trip are being covered by someone else, you must submit an invitation letter from your sponsor stating that they will be taking care of your expenses.

3. Travel insurance

You’ll need valid Schengen-wide travel insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. Your insurance provider has to have a representative office in at least one Schengen country.

Local providers of valid travel insurance for Schengen visa include Guardian Life, Sagicor Life, Grace Kennedy Insurance, and Key Insurance. Check with your insurance company about your travel coverage. If you’re adequately covered, you will need to give the visa officer a letter from your provider confirming this when you attend your visa interview.

You can also very easily purchase travel insurance for Schengen purposes online and print your policy at home from a provider such as AXA Insurance. When buying insurance, choose a period that generously covers the length of your stay. For example, if you’re staying for 15 days, think about 30-day coverage. The range of your insurance coverage can have an impact on the length of the visa you’re issued.

4. Itinerary and accommodations

You will need to show fight information to and from the Schengen zone. Do not purchase tickets until you get the visa, a printout from the airline website showing dates and prices are sufficient. You must also show hotel/hostel reservations (hint: book places with no upfront charge and free cancellation, then cancel after your interview!).

If you’re travelling to multiple countries, think about carrying printouts showing plane, train, or bus tickets (again don’t purchase) indicating how you intend to get around. Some embassies might require you to present an itinerary prepared by a travel agent. If you need an itinerary from an agent or just prefer having someone else put it together check out our listing of travel agents.

If you are staying at someone’s home, you need a signed letter of invitation along with a copy of your host’s passport information page.

5. Proof of your intention to return

You will need an official job letter showing your date of employment, your role in company, salary, and number of vacation days. Self-employed people need to bring an original and a copy of their business registration certificate. Students should submit a letter from the school.

6. Valid passport

Your passport must be valid for at least three months past the date on which you plan to leave the Schengen zone. If you plan on exiting the Schengen zone and returning then your passport needs to be valid for three months after you plan to leave the zone permanently. For example, you plan to leave France on 10 April to visit London (which is not in the Schengen zone). You intend to return to France before going back to Jamaica on 15 April, then your passport must be valid until at least 15 June.

If you have a new passport and there are valid visas in your previous passport, submit copies of the valid visas. You should also take a copy for the first page of your passport to the interview.

7. Photo

You’ll need to submit a recent passport-sized photo. Check the website of the embassy you’re applying to for dimensions.

8. Visa fee

The processing fee for a Schengen visa is 80 euros. Some embassies accept exact change in cash only, others accept major credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) but require US dollars if paying in cash. Please be sure to check the payment options before the interview.

Where to go when you’re applying for a visitor’s Schengen visa in Jamaica

The Embassy of Germany

If you need a German visa, head to the German Embassy on Waterloo Road in Kingston. This embassy will also serve if you’re travelling to Estonia, Finland, Iceland or Italy as your main destination.

The Embassy of Spain

Located in New Kingston, the Embassy of Spain in Jamaica is the place to go if you’re looking for a Spanish Schengen visa. If the main destination is Austria, France, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, The Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, or Switzerland you’ll also want to go to the Spanish Embassy.

The Embassy of Belgium

The Belgian Embassy in New Kingston processes tourist visas for Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.

Make your application at the embassy that processes visas for the country that is your main destination. So, if you’re travelling to Greece and Italy, with most of your time in Italy, then you should apply at the Germany embassy. (uniforumtz.com)

You can apply for a Schengen visa up to six months and no later than 15 days, before your intended travel date.

This article was updated on 3 February 2020 and is intended as a general guide to the process of applying for a Schengen visa in Jamaica. Please carefully read the requirements for the embassy where you’re applying.

Sources: Embassy of Spain Jamaica , Embassy of Belgium Jamaica, Embassy of Germany Jamaica