With over 52 percent of Nigerian professionals looking to ‘Japa‘, Schengen visas are now more in demand than ever. The idea of immigrating or studying abroad is highly appealing to Nigerians everywhere.
But, everyone who plans on traveling to the Schengen area must learn about the requirements for Schengen visas and the steps to apply for them.
When applying for a Schengen Visa, you must submit certain documents required by the embassy/consulate of the destination country.
Knowing the right documents to submit will more likely help you to get your Schengen visa without a hitch.
Thus, this article will provide a checklist of the documents required for a Schengen visa (Tourist, visitor, Business, Student, and Visitor visas) and answer common questions relating to this topic.
Table of Contents
- 1 What documents are needed for a Schengen Tourist Visa from Nigeria?
- 2 What documents are needed for a Business Schengen Visa from Nigeria?
- 3 What documents are needed for a Student Schengen Visa from Nigeria?
- 4 What documents are needed for a Schengen Medical visa from Nigeria?
- 5 What Documents Do Nigerian Citizens Need for a Schengen Visa Extension?
- 6 How much bank balance is required for a Schengen visa in Nigeria?
What documents are needed for a Schengen Tourist Visa from Nigeria?
Prior to applying for or booking an appointment for a Schengen visa, you ought to check the list of documents that are required of you on the official website of the country that you want to visit.
Generally, the following documents are required to apply for a Schengen Tourist/Visitor Visa:
- A completed Tourist/Visitor Schengen visa application form
- Valid Nigerian passport
- A photograph that is not more than six months
- Medical travel insurance (with a minimum coverage of €30,000)
- Flight Itinerary
- Hotel Reservation
- Proof of visa fee
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself
- Cover Letter
For a Visitor Visa
In addition to the above, you need the following documents for a visitor visa;
- An invitation letter (from a friend or family inviting you)
- Guarantee form (i.e, statement of liability or declaration of commitment)
- Your host’s passport
- Proof of your host’s residence permit
- Proof of accommodation
*Please ensure that you visit the official website of the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit for a comprehensive list.
What documents are needed for a Business Schengen Visa from Nigeria?
Nigerian citizens traveling to a Schengen country with the aim of meeting with business partners, meeting clients, taking part at a particular business fair, etc., must get a Business Schengen visa.
The following documents are required to apply for a Business Schengen Visa:
- Schengen Business Visa Application Form
- A valid Nigerian passport
- A photograph that is not more than six months
- Business letter of invitation issued by the host company
- No Objection Certificate
- Letter from your employer (if employed)
- Schengen Visa Travel Insurance.
- Proof of paid Schengen Visa fee
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself
- Travel Itinerary
*Keep in mind that the embassy or consulate may require additional documents during your interview in order to be able to obtain a Business visa to your destination country. Confirm with them and submit them all in the shortest period possible.
What documents are needed for a Student Schengen Visa from Nigeria?
Nigerian students who wish to study in a Schengen country require a Student Schengen Visa at the embassy of the respective country. If the program exceeds three months or you are staying longer than that, you should apply for a Long-Stay Study Visa.
The required documents to apply for a Student Schengen Visa are as follows:
- Two Student Schengen Visa Application Forms
- A valid Nigerian passport
- Two photographs that are not more than six months
- A copy of the passport’s biometric data
- Letter of acceptance at an EU University or College
- Medical travel insurance (with a minimum coverage of €30,000)
- Proof of accommodation (Dormitory contract or Rent Agreement)
- Proof of financial means (Scholarship, Bank account statement, or Sponsorship)
- Proof of paid Visa fee
Please Note: Additional documents may be required by the destination country. These requirements differ by country. For instance, some do require Proof of enrollment and a No Objection Letter from the University.
What documents are needed for a Schengen Medical visa from Nigeria?
Nigerians seeking medical care in a Schengen country must present a medical certificate from a Nigerian doctor or hospital confirming the need for medical assistance. They must, like all other types of visas, apply for a Schengen medical treatment visa.
You must provide the following documents when applying for a Schengen medical visa from Nigeria:
- A Schengen medical visa application form
- Valid Nigerian passport
- A photograph that is not more than six months
- Flight Itinerary
- Hotel Reservation
- Proof of visa fee
- Proof of payment from the doctor/hospital in the Schengen country
- Medical certificate from your doctor in Nigeria
- Treatment confirmation from your doctor or hospital in your (Schengen) destination.
Please Note: Like all other types of Schengen visas, you can only stay in the Schengen area (and receive the treatment) for up to 90 days with the Schengen medical treatment visa.
What Documents Do Nigerian Citizens Need for a Schengen Visa Extension?
What if, for some unavoidable reasons, you need to extend your visa? What documents do you require to continue your stay in a Schengen country?
Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, you may need to extend your stay. However, you need to have valid and genuine reasons for that.
To prolong your stay, you must apply for a Schengen visa extension, for which you must prepare the following documents:
- Your Nigerian passport.
- Application form for a short-stay visa extension.
- A copy of your photograph or identity picture.
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your extended stay in the Schengen Area
- Proof of travel health insurance coverage for your extended stay
- Any documents explaining the reason why you need to extend your Schengen visa
How much bank balance is required for a Schengen visa in Nigeria?
To be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa, one of the most important requirements is showing you have enough funds to cover your travels and stay in the country of destination.
The best way to show you have the necessary funds for a Schengen visa is to provide copies of your bank statements or bank balance to the embassy or consulate.
Generally, the amount of money you need as bank balance for your Schengen visa varies depending on the country you want to visit, as listed below:
- Austria – at least €100 per day
- Belgium – a minimum of EUR 95
- Czech Republic – €127.40
- Czechia – €70 per day
- Denmark – €67.17 per day
- Estonia – €130.80 per day
- Finland – at least €30 per day for the duration of your stay
- France – €120 per day
- Germany – at least €45 per day
- Greece – at least €50 per day
- Hungary – €26.95 per day in financial means
- Iceland – €53.36 per day
- Italy – €27.89 per day
- Latvia – at least €14 per day of stay
- Liechtenstein – €102.48 per day in your bank account
- Lithuania – at least €40 per day
- Luxembourg – €67 per day
- Malta – at least €48 per day
- The Netherlands – €55 per person per day
- Norway – €43.33 per day
- Poland – €16.59 for each day
- Portugal – €40 per day
- Slovakia – €56 per person per day
- Slovenia – €70 per day
- Spain – a minimum of €100 per day
- Sweden – €40.12 per day
- Switzerland – €102.48 per day
Read Next:
- How Much is Schengen Visa in Nigeria?
- How to Start Schengen Visa Application in Nigeria
- How to Submit Schengen Visa Application Online