Spouse Schengen Visa - Germany - application by post

[AngieD]

Hi - I wonder if someone could help me with this.

My husband wishes to apply for a Schengen Visa from the German Embassy by post as the family member of an EU National.

I was wondering what to do about the documents requested. We only have one Apostilled copy of our marriage certificate and I do not want to send this for the fear of it not being returned. We do however have a certified translated marriage certificate - Portuguese to English - which was accepted by the UKBA when applying for his Residence Permit. It would be almost impossible to get another copy of our original marriage certificate, without travelling to Portugal!

Does anyone have any experience of this sort of application?

Thanks

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Does your husband not have an article 10 residence card, ie one that states he is the family member of an EU citizen

If so, not visa required.

[AngieD]

Yes he does - but he wants to be able to travel alone as well as with me - he has family in Germany.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Understood, don't have experience of this type of application, but in general for those traveling alone, normal visa rules apply.

[Plum70]

Understood, don't have experience of this type of application, but in general for those traveling alone, normal visa rules apply.

I am also applying to the Germans (but in person) and it looks like, though 'normal visa rules apply', your husband would only need to present:

• 1. His and Your passport
  2. Marriage certificate
  3. Address in Germany
  4. Travel insurance covering medical expenses and all of the EU.
  5. As well as photocopies of 1&2
  6. A service fee of £18.00 may be applicable following the outsourcing to VFS.

[AngieD]

Just an update

Applied for the Visa by post last week and got it back today. Only for 3 months (was hoping for 6 months) but never mind.

Just to clarify - only answered the starred questions and sent the following:

husband passport and copy
my passport and copy
photocopy of original legalised marriage certificate
translated marriage certificate - Portuguese to English
address of hotel in Germany

They returned the translated document

So happy days - now to arrange trip

[Plum70]

Just an update

Applied for the Visa by post last week and got it back today. Only for 3 months (was hoping for 6 months) but never mind.

Just to clarify - only answered the starred questions and sent the following:

husband passport and copy
my passport and copy
photocopy of original legalised marriage certificate
translated marriage certificate - Portuguese to English
address of hotel in Germany

They returned the translated document

Hi Angie, can you clarify a few things for me:

Did your husband post his application to the VFS postal address?
Did he have to pay an £18 processing fee? Apparently this is the cost of outsourcing.
Did he need to provide proof of health insurance as listed on the VFS website?
Did he simply enter the address in Germany on the form or provide a hotel booking?

Though I have an in-person appointment at the end of this month, i'm now reconsidering sending by post to allow plenty of time before my trip + encouraged by the quick turn around of your application.

Thanks

[AngieD]

t

Hi Angie, can you clarify a few things for me:

Did your husband post his application to the VFS postal address?
Did he have to pay an £18 processing fee? Apparently this is the cost of outsourcing.
Did he need to provide proof of health insurance as listed on the VFS website?
Did he simply enter the address in Germany on the form or provide a hotel booking?

Though I have an in-person appointment at the end of this month, i'm now reconsidering sending by post to allow plenty of time before my trip + encouraged by the quick turn around of your application.

Hi

Yes he posted to the VFS address in London and paid the £18 processing fee - i don't know if he should have paid this but didn't want to risk the application being sent back. Didn't pay the VISA fee though.

He didn't provide any proof of health/travel insurance

He simply did a covering letter with the application form and gave them the address of a hotel in Berlin - provided no proof of booking whatsoever and did not put the address on the Visa application form just included it with the other documents.

To clarify he only answered the starred questions on the form and nothing else.

It was done very quickly - posted on 27 june and returned 4 July - we did pay for return special delivery because we live too far from London to collect.

[Plum70]

Thanks Angie. I think I will do the same!

In addition to my address in Germany I will also include a copy of my travel insurance schedule as the Embassy is well aware that I will be travelling alone.