South African passport holders require a Schengen visa to visit the Schengen area for short stays. Applications are made to the embassy or official visa application centre of the country you will spend the most time in, or of your first point of entry where the stay is evenly split.
Applying to the wrong country is a common and costly mistake. The rule is that you apply to your main destination, and applying elsewhere can result in refusal even where every document is correct.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
Schengen visa applications generally require the following.
- A passport valid beyond your intended stay, with sufficient blank pages
- A completed application form for the specific country
- Photographs to the specification that country requires
- Proof of accommodation for the whole stay
- Confirmed return travel arrangements
- Travel medical insurance meeting the Schengen minimum cover
- Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay
- Evidence of ties to South Africa and intention to return
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
Your passport must be valid for a period beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area, and must generally have been issued within a specified number of years. Both conditions catch applicants out.
A minimum number of blank pages is required. Check this before booking, since replacing a full passport takes time.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
Travel medical insurance is a mandatory requirement rather than a recommendation, and it must meet a minimum cover level for the whole Schengen area and the whole trip.
Proof of funds is assessed against the length of the trip rather than a single figure. Bank statements covering several months are commonly required, and sudden large deposits shortly before applying are viewed unfavourably.
Evidence of ties to South Africa, such as employment, property or family, addresses the central question of whether you will return. This is where applications most often fail.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
Appointments at visa application centres are frequently the binding constraint, and availability in peak periods can be weeks out. Book the appointment first and work backwards from it.
Do not book non-refundable travel before your visa is issued. Confirmed bookings are commonly required for the application, but travel agents can provide reservations that do not require full payment.
A visa permits travel to a port of entry rather than guaranteeing admission. Entry is decided by the immigration officer on arrival.
How to Prepare or Apply
Apply as early as the rules for your route allow. There is a maximum period before travel within which you may apply, and applying at the earliest permitted point is advisable given appointment availability.
Requirements differ between Schengen countries despite the common visa. Check the specific requirements of the country you are applying to rather than assuming they are uniform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country do I apply to?
The country where you will spend the most time, or your first point of entry where the stay is evenly split. Applying to the wrong country can result in refusal.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes. Travel medical insurance meeting the Schengen minimum cover is a mandatory requirement for the whole area and the whole trip.
Should I book flights before applying?
Do not book non-refundable travel before the visa is issued. Reservations that do not require full payment are generally accepted.
Does a visa guarantee entry?
No. It permits travel to a port of entry. Admission is decided by the immigration officer on arrival.
Confirm current requirements with the embassy or official visa application centre of your main destination country, since requirements differ between Schengen countries and change. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.