Introduction
In our previous article, we considered two grounds upon which the consulate may refuse you a Schengen visa. We considered that the consulate will refuse you a visa if you submitted a forged passport or travel document. We further considered that the consulate will refuse you a visa if you failed to provide justification for the purpose and conditions of your intended stay.
In today’s article, we will further consider that the consulate will refuse you a visa if you failed to provide sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of your stay.
Failure to provide sufficient means of subsistence. One of the grounds upon which the consulate will refuse you a visa under Article 32 (1) of the Visa Code is if you failed to provide sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of your stay. Sufficient means of subsistence is considered in terms of both for the duration of your intended stay and for the return to your home country, or for the transit to a third country into which you are certain to be admitted.
What is “sufficient means of subsistence”?
Generally, the term “sufficient means of subsistence” implies that you must possess enough financial resources both for the period you intended stay in the Schengen country and for the return to your home country. These include the cost of food, transport and accommodation within the Schengen country.
The required means of subsistence will generally depend on the purpose and duration of your stay according to the average prices for board and lodging in budget accommodation in the Schengen country. This will then be multiplied by the number of days of you intend to stay. For example, the acceptable level of sufficient means of subsistence for a day in Germany is €45. Therefore, if your intend to stay in Germany for 10 days, then the minimum level of sufficient means of subsistence that you would need to show for the period would be €45 multiplied by10 days to give you a total of €450.
How can you show that you have sufficient means of subsistence?
You may show that you have sufficient means of subsistence by reference to a number of documents. These include recent bank statements showing transactions over a period of at least 3 months, credit cards and a credit card statement, cash in convertible currency, traveller’s cheques, salary slips, certificate of employment and a registered certificate of sponsorship and/or accommodation.
How does the consulate calculate that I have sufficient means of subsistence?
The consulate calculates what is considered as “sufficient means of subsistence” on the basis of reference amounts set by the Member States. In making this assessment, the consulate will take into account whether accommodation is provided free of charge to you, and whether your cost of stay is covered entirely or partly by a reliable sponsor.
For example, the level of sufficient means of subsistence in Belgium is €38 a day per person if you are staying with a host, and €50 a day per person if you are staying in a hotel. Assuming your host issued you with a certificate of accommodation confirming that you will be staying with them for the duration of your stay; the consulate will only calculate your level on €38 and multiply that by the number of days you wish to stay in Belgium.
However, the consulate may set the reference amount above the average minimum if the purpose of your trip is for luxury tourism and may apply a rate consistent with the average rate applicable to tourism of the category.
Sufficient means of subsistence for a bonafide applicant
A “bona fide” applicant is an individual known to the consulate for their integrity and reliability, and for whom there is no doubt that they will fufill the entry conditions at the time of entry. If you are a bonafide applicant, the consulate may waive the requirement that you present documents regarding your means of subsistence.
To be continued…
Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on Schengen immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. The writer is an immigration law advisor and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He advises on U.S., UK, and Schengen immigration law. He works part-time for Acheampong & Associates Ltd, an immigration law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on [email protected].