Applying Schengen Spouse Visa in 2023

If you are travelling to the Schengen area as the spouse of an E.U. citizen, you should apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa. 

Visiting any country can be a complex process, as each nation has its own visa policies and documentation requirements, even for short-term visits. The Schengen Area is no exception, and travelers must adhere to specific protocols when planning their visits. To enter and stay within the Schengen Area, visitors often need to apply for a Schengen Visa.

If you are the partner of an EU national and plan to visit the Schengen Region, you should consider applying for a European Spouse Schengen Visa. This type of visa, categorized as a short-term (Type C) visa, grants you the opportunity to accompany your EU citizen spouse and visit the Schengen Area for up to 3 months within a 6-month period. The visa is valid for all 26 countries within the Schengen region, allowing you to travel freely across borders without the need for additional border controls.

You will need a Schengen Visa application form and two recently taken passport-style photos, a passport from your home country, or other travel documents that are less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area.

What is a European Spouse Schengen Visa?

• A kind of short term (Type C) visa allowing you access to the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period as the spouse of an E.U. citizen.

Eligibility: Who can apply for a European Spouse Schengen visa?

• Anyone who is the valid spouse of an E.U. citizen is eligible to apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa.

Required Documents For Spouse Schengen Visa 

• In addition to the Basic Required Documents to apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa, you will need to supply proof of your spouse’s nationality as well as proof of your marriage to him or her, including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Copy of your spouse’s passport and/or;
  • Copy of your spouse’s national ID card.
  • Copy of your marriage certificate (to your E.U. spouse) from both your spouse’s country and your own.
  • Letter from the spouse stating purpose and duration of travel and respective address of stay in the Schengen state(s).

How to Apply Schengen Spouse visa?

1. Determine the Schengen country where you will be spending the most time on your trip. You will apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa through that country’s consulate.
2. Determine how many “Entries” to the Schengen area you need.
3. Select “Other”, as purpose for travelling. There is additional space for you to provide further information as to your reason for travel. Under “Family Relationship with an EU Citizen”, select “Spouse”.
4. Gather your Basic Required Documents, as well as the documents required for your European Spouse Schengen Visa.
5. Schedule an interview appointment (if applicable). Depending on the location of the consulate/embassy or visa center you are applying through, you may have to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application. Alternatively, you may be able to drop off your application without prior arrangement, so long as you do so during normal operating hours. Contact your consulate/embassy directly to find out if you need to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application.
6. Fill out your application. Different countries provide different ways of accessing applications-you might have to use an online application portal or fill out a print-application by hand.
7. Do NOT pay the application fee. Please note, spouses of European citizens are generally exempt from the standard Schengen visa fee for adults (80 Euros). However, if you are applying through a visa service provider, you will likely have to submit a service payment with your visa application. This is a separate cost from the visa fee, and something spouses of EU citizens are not exempt from.
8. Submit your application. Different consulates/embassies and visa centers have different procedures for submitting applications. In most cases, applications must be submitted in person wherever you are applying. When you submit your application, you will likely also be asked to submit your fingerprints.

When to Apply for Spouse Schengen Visa?

• You should apply for a Schengen Visa at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply Spouse Schengen Visa??

• You should apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa through the consulate of the country you are travelling to in the Schengen area.
• If you are travelling to multiple countries in the Schengen area, you should apply through the consulate of the state in which you will spend the most time. And in case you plan to spend an equal period of time in those multiple countries, then you need to apply at the embassy, the consulate or the associated Visa Application Center of the country where you will arrive first.

Processing Time for Spouse Schengen Visa

• The processing time for a European Spouse Schengen Visa is generally about two weeks (15 days). In rarer cases, consulates can take anywhere from 30-60 days to render a decision on an application.

How to apply for Schengen visa with spouse?

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa to join a Spouse residing in the EU are:

1. Two application forms instead of one.
2. The original certified copy of the marital certificate.
3. A copy of the spouse’s passport, if they are an EU citizen.

How long does it take to get Schengen spouse visa?

Therefore, please account for delays in the visa processing time. Due to the peak season, it currently takes an average time of 15 days to process your Schengen visa application after it has reached the Consulate. Please take this into account before filing your application.

FAQ for Spouse Schengen Visa?:

Can I apply for visa with my partner?

To apply as a partner, you and your partner both need to be 18 or over. Your partner must also either: be a British or Irish citizen. have settled in the UK – for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence.

How do I get a Schengen visa for my wife?

The additional required documents to obtain a Schengen visa to join a Spouse residing in the EU are:

1. Two application forms instead of one.
2. The original certified copy of the marital certificate.
3. A copy of the spouse’s passport, if he/she is an EU citizen.

Can husband and wife apply for Schengen visa together?

Yes the marriage certificate is required if you both apply as a married couple for schengen visa (unless your wife passport has you as husband name and your passport has your’s wife name). If that is not available, you both can apply for Schengen visa separately in individual capacity.

Can I sponsor my wife for Schengen visa?

For example, if your sponsor is your spouse, you can submit a marriage certificate. Or, if your sponsor is a child, sibling, or parent, you can submit your original birth certificate and a certified birth certificate copy of your relative.

How long does it take to get Schengen spouse visa?

If you have applied for a Schengen visa or an airport transit visa for the Netherlands, your application will normally be processed within 15 to 22 calendar days. It will take longer if you need to provide additional documents. But it will never take longer than 45 calendar days.

Is marriage certificate necessary for Schengen visa?

To apply for a Schengen visa from India, you have to submit civil status certificates like your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and family certificate. This is one of the essential documents needed when applying for a Schengen visa from India. You need proof of where you will be staying in the Schengen region.

How fast is a spouse visa?

The CR1 / IR1 Timeline

The current wait time for a spousal visa averages about 17 months, although this will vary depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder. The processing time for I-130 will also vary greatly depending on the service center.

How much is the fee for spouse visa?

The UK spouse visa application fee in 2023 is £1,048 if your application is made inside the UK and £1,538 if your application is made outside the UK. Other costs include Immigration Healthcare Surcharge £624 for each year and biometric fee £19.20.

Can my spouse visit me on tourist visa?

Common-law spouses and partners may be eligible to apply for B-2 visas. If they wish to visit for vacations only, they may apply for visitor (B-2) visas, or if qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Can I go to the visa interview with my wife?

Who Must Attend the Interview. You, your spouse, and any qualified unmarried children immigrating with you, must participate in the interview. All traveling applicants required to participate will be named on the interview Appointment Letter you receive from the National Visa Center (NVC).

Related Links:

https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/visa-application-guidelines

https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/short-stay-visas-schengen/general-information/application-forms

Get Visa Consultation