Just a few days ago I went to apply for a Schengen visa at the Czech Republic Embassy in Jakarta. The processs is actually quite simple. You first need to download the application form on their website, fill it up, prepare all the required documents, and then make an appointment online through the Visapoint system online. It is a good idea to have your complete documents with you at your appointment, because even though they usuakly let you come back to submit the missing documents, many people at the lineup will be cursing you.
The following documents are required:
1) Original Schengen Visa Application Form filled in completely (if possible in block letters), legibly and signed by the applicant
2) One good quality passport type photograph, taken within last 6 months. For Jakarta, the width should be between 35 mm and 45 mm
3) Copy of confirmed return flight ticket
4) Passport valid for at least 90 days beyond the validity of the requested visa (with at least 2 (two) blank visa pages to affix the visa sticker)
5) Original and copy of travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen area and covering the whole period of stay (travel medical insurance is to cover at least EUR 30.000,- including emergency medical treatment cost and has to include repatriation), copy of detail list of the insurance coverage has to be enclosed. I bought Zurich insurance but a lot of people I met there bought AXA.
6) Original and copy of proof of sufficient financial funds to cover the cost the intended stay and proof of the applicant 's overall financial situation (e.g. original and copy of recent bank account statement), amounting to a minimum of:
a) CZK 1.010,- (approximately EUR 40,-) for each day of the stay if the total stay will not exceed a period of 30 days; b) CZK 30.300,- if the stay in the territory will exceed 30 days, whereby this amount is increased by CZK 4,040 for each whole month of the anticipated stay in the territory; c) CZK 101.000,- if the reason behind the stay is the performance of business activities and the entire length of the stay will exceed 90 days; or d) A document confirming that the services related to the alien’s stay in the territory have been paid or will be provided free of charge.
I had a printout of an online bank transaction list and it was accepted.
7) Proof of purpose of visit. For tourism, I didn't bring any proof. How do you proof tourism anyway?
8) Proof of accommodation. Printout of hotel booking. Online booking is acceptable.
9) Copy of the passport data page (with a holder’s photograph)
10) Copies of previous Schengen Visas issued during the past three years
Alternatively, you can submit an original along with the copy of official “Letter of Invitation” form issued and certified by a local branch of the Alien and Border Police in the Czech Republic as a proof of financial funds or - if marked by the inviting body - also as a proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic. Please note that this Invitation letter is for the territory of the Czech Republic only, if you travel to other Schengen countries you must submit proof of accommodation and sufficient financial means for the period of stay in those other countries as well.
So my appointment was at 10:30 am and I got there just in time. Unfortunately, there were several people there who needed to submit their missing documents and they got to cut the line. Remember I mentioned people cursing earlier? Yeah. The thing is, they only allow 1 or 2 people at a time and everyone else have to wait outside the gate. In the heat, or rain, I suppose.
So more than half an hour later I finally got to go inside and they interviewed me. Why do I want to go there, what do I know about the country, where will I be staying, etc. The interview was done in Indonesian by an Indonesian staff. After the interview I was told to go to another section for my fingerprint process. Then they gave me a receipt for picking up my passport with visa the following week.
So like Miss Kiki like to say, easy peasy lemon squeezy. But if I were to do it again, I will try to get an earlier appointment. :)
Comments
Post a Comment