How to Write a Sponsorship Letter For Schengen Visa. You can visit 26 countries with a single Schengen visa, so it might be the most exciting visa to get, since you don’t have to present it every time you move from one country to another or pay any extra fees for it. Additionally, you can enter non-Schengen countries that allow travelers with a Schengen visa to enter their borders.
A Schengen visa isn’t an easy process, however. You’ll have to gather a lot of documents, many of which you may never have heard of before, and submit them accurately and without making any mistakes, as even a small mistake can result in your application being rejected. Don’t worry, we have written down everything you need to apply for a Schengen visa so you don’t have to worry.
You may also need to submit a Sponsorship Letter in addition to other documents, especially if someone else is funding your travel and stay in the Schengen Area without your personal funds.
The purpose of this article is to explain briefly and clearly everything you need to know about a Sponsorship Letter for a Schengen visa, including how to write one, what documents you should submit along with it, and where to submit it.
What is a Sponsorship Letter for a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa sponsorship letter is a document you will need to submit at the embassy alongside the other documents when you go to attend a Schengen visa interview with the consular officer. If the applicant does not plan to cover his or her trip expenses to the Schengen, but rather a sponsor will cover their trip accommodation, food, and other expenses, a sponsorship letter is required.
A sponsor’s letter explains their relationship with the applicant and the costs they will cover. In order for the letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by documents proving the availability of funds and the sponsor’s identity.
How to Write a Letter of Sponsorship?
A Schengen visa sponsorship letter is not difficult to write if you have experience writing sponsorship letters for Schengen visas or visas to other countries.
All necessary information about the sponsor, the expenses that they will cover for the applicant, and their relationship should be included in the letter. Make sure that you do not provide any information that cannot be backed up with documents that you must submit with the sponsorship letter.
Structure of a Sponsorship Letter
The letter should be addressed to the staff of the embassy with the opening salutation, ‘Dear Sir/Madam’. Tell them where you live, what you do, and why you are writing the letter.
Describe how you plan on covering the applicant’s expenses. Indicate when the applicant will be traveling, and if the applicant will be staying at your place in one of the Schengen states, give the address.
We would appreciate it if you could write just one paragraph about the places you are planning to visit with the applicant while you are in Schengen.
Sign the letter at the end under your name. Don’t leave out details such as the date when the letter was written. Do not forget to mention that you have attached supporting documents.
Tips on How to Write a Sponsorship Letter for Visa Application
The process may seem simple and quick based on what was written above. In reality, it is, if you know clearly what the consular officer wants to know. However, many make small mistakes while writing a Schengen sponsor letter, which can adversely affect the approval process.
Here are the ultimate tips on how to write a sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa, despite the guidelines given above.
It is one thing to explain your relationship to the applicant, but it is quite another to tell the applicant throughout the entire letter how much you miss, love, and wish to see them. Besides, these details will make the letter longer, which is strongly advised. The consular officer does not care about that, he just wants you to make sure you will be paying the applicant’s expenses.
Please do not provide unnecessary details – we advised you to explain why you are sponsoring the applicant, as well as what the expenses will be. Don’t go too into detail about where you will eat breakfast each day and how much it will cost you. The consular officer isn’t interested in that kind of information. Explain the expenses the applicant will be able to cover with the money you’re sponsoring, i.e. accommodation and food, instead of showing the amount of money you’re providing.
The consular officers do not have the time, nor the desire, to read a two-page letter that could have instead been shortened into a few paragraphs.
Don’t forget to provide your phone number and your email address along with your name, occupation and home address, so the embassy can contact you in case of need, and you have the opportunity to clarify any of the information if necessary.
Supporting Documents for Schengen Visa Sponsor Letter
If you do not submit the following documents to support your statements in the Schengen visa sponsorship letter, your statements will be invalid.
- A scanned copy of your ID/passport
- A bank statement, a work contract, and three last payslips are proof of financial resources
- Ownership/rental contract showing address of home / flat
- Itinerary of places planned to visit together (if applicable)
- A document that proves the sponsor has taken time off from work to be with the applicant during their stay in the Schengen Area would be a huge plus for the visa application.
Differences Between a Schengen Invitation Letter and a Schengen Sponsorship Letter
While the two may seem the same, they are not. Do not submit an invitation letter instead of a sponsorship letter when the embassy requires you to submit one. If you do not know the difference between both, the following paragraphs will briefly explain and help you to distinguish them from each other.
A Schengen visa invitation letter – written by a person living in Schengen, who invites the applicant to stay over at their home in one of the Schengen countries. Aside from offering them a place to stay, they do not have to pay the applicant’s expenses, accompany them during their visits or anything else. Information about the host and guest, including their name, surname, birthdate, occupation, and relationship, should be included in the letter. An invitation letter should include supporting documents.
There are no requirements for a Schengen visa sponsor to live in a Schengen country or accompany the traveller on their trip in order to write a Schengen visa sponsor letter. For example, it may be a person living in the US who wishes to sponsor the trip of a visa applicant to Schengen. Sponsors must prove they have covered the travel tickets, accommodations, and daily expenses of the traveller in this case.
Where to Submit Sponsorship Letter for Schengen Visa?
The sponsor should sign the letter at the end and send it along with the supporting documents to the applicant. The supporting documents can be scanned, but it is best to submit them in original form (except for the ID and passport).
At the visa appointment, the applicant will submit these documents along with the other Schengen visa requirements.
Conclusion
Schengen visa process, allowing travel to 26 countries, demands meticulous preparation. The sponsorship letter, a vital document, plays a crucial role if someone else funds your journey. This article provides a comprehensive guide on crafting a sponsorship letter, detailing essential information, structuring the letter, offering practical tips, and emphasizing the significance of supporting documents. Mastering this process ensures a smoother visa application experience and increased chances of approval.