• Online Schengen visa application form    (Click here)
• Duly completed, dated and signed by the applicant.
• Recent colour passport photograph, which fulfills ICAO standards (taken within the past six months, white or light background,
• Passport or other travel documents.
  • The travel document must be valid for at least three months after the completion of the journey.
  • The travel document must contain two blank pages. A copy of the personal details page of the passport.
• Detailed travel itinerary to and from the Schengen Member State territory.
  • If visiting several countries within one trip, a travel schedule including all the countries to be visited —i.e., traveling by air, road, rail or sea – must clearly indicate the duration of stay in each Schengen Member State (the departure date, means of travel and destination
• If the applicant is employed, he/she should attach a recent letter from the employer.
  • The letter must state the employee’s name, their position, their length of service and nature of service (permanent/contractual work).
  • The letter must indicate that the employer is aware that the employee will be taking leave on the said dates and that the employee will resume his/her duties upon return.
  • The letter must be written on a company letterhead and must have the date of issue, address, telephone number and position of the signatory.
  • Self-employed should present a registration document of the business with the relevant South African authority. 1) CIPC, Health Professions Council of South Africa or other applicable authority. 2) Registration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). 3) If applicable, a SAICA accredited chartered accountant’s letter stating the current financial standing of the business.
  • Proof of studies letter for students. Students must present a recent, official and signed letter from the school, college or university, stating the date of issue, the name of the applicant and the type of studies or the name of the courses the student is enrolled in according to the university’s/school’s records
• Proof of accommodation reservation(s).
  • Reservations must be presented for the entire duration of the trip within the Schengen Member State territory.
• Proof of funds:
  • Last three months bank statements of a South African bank account. Statements should be drawn from a cheque account/ current account that reflects the salary the applicant is getting. NB: A private person may not be sponsored by another private person. The applicant’s financial statements are required in full.
  • If the applicant is a minor, three months’ current bank statements from a sponsoring parent/legal guardian are required together with a proof of employment letter for the sponsoring parent. If the legal guardian/parent is self-employed, please see above for the required documents.
• Travel medical insurance must be valid for the duration of travel. The minimum amount of the insurance coverage is 30,000 (thirty thousand) Euros and it must be valid in the whole territory of the Schengen Member States or worldwide.
• A motivational letter explaining why the applicant has chosen Finland (and other countries within the Schengen Member State territory, if applicable) as the destination. The letter should explain what made the applicant become interested in the country/ies of destination(s), and what the applicant is hoping to see or do there.
• If the applicant is under 18 years of age (minor):
  • A full birth certificate disclosing the names of (both) parents must always be presented.
  • The applicant’s guardian must bring the original birth certificate to the VAC and attach a certified copy to the application set. Certification must be done at the South African Police Service or at a Commissioner of Oaths. A certified copy of the parents’ ID (legal guardians’ ID) is required.
  • If the minor only has one legal guardian, a certified court document in English – or a certified translation into English – must be provided, proving sole custody of the legal guardian.
  • If one or more legal guardian(s) is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
  • If the applicant is under 18 years of age (minor) TBC) If one or more of the minor’s legal guardians are not accompanying the minor, a sworn affidavit authorizing the minor’s travel must be done by each legal guardian who is not traveling with the minor. Sworn affidavits can be done either at the South African Police Service or at a Commissioner of Oaths. A certified copy of the said legal guardians’ IDs must be attached together with the sworn affidavits (if the legal guardians’ details are not in the unabridged birth certificate of the minor)

Business (All the above including)

• Employment Letter
  • If the applicant is employed, he/she should attach a recent letter from the employer.
  • The letter must state the employee’s name, their position, their length of service and nature of service (permanent/contractual work).
  • The letter must include the purpose of and duration of this specific business trip visa that is being applied for, as well as the reason for the need for a multiple entry Schengen visas for future travel, if applicable.
  • The letter must be written on letterhead and must have the date of issue, address, telephone number and position of the signatory. If the applicant is financially supported by his/her employer, this must be clearly mentioned in the letter of employment. 
  • Self-employed should present a registration document of the business with the relevant South African authority. 1) CIPC, Health Professions Council of South Africa or other applicable authority. 2) Registration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). 3) If applicable, a SAICA accredited chartered accountant’s letter stating the current financial standing of the business.
• Invitation letter
  • Invitation letter from the company or business partner in Finland/in the Schengen Member State territory.
  • If the trip includes visits to several countries within the Schengen Member State territory, all countries to be visited must be mentioned in the invitation letter.
  • NB: The invitation letter should motivate the need for a multiple entry Schengen visas if it is foreseeable that the applicant will have more business visits to the Schengen Member State territory.