Proof of Accommodation for Visa Application

 In the list of supporting documents for Schengen Visa Application is a Proof of Accommodation as well as Flight Reservation. The diplomatic office of the relevant Schengen country has to see if you have an agreed or prearranged place to stay for the duration of your visit in the destined country.

The Embassy/Consulate does that through the following recognized forms:

•        An Evidence of a Place to Stay, such as Hotel Booking or Reservation,

•        An Invitation from The Host with a Copy of His Passport (proof of sponsorship),

•        An evidence of a pre-paid tour with details of your payment to the tour operator

Arisen by the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of The European Parliament And of The Council of 13 July 2009, establishing a Community Code on Visas known as “Visa Code”, Proof of Accommodation is a rule of the visa application procedure that each Schengen country ought to apply to their foreign visa seekers.

 

As such, in the Article 14 (1) the “Visa Code” stipulates the following:

“When applying for a uniform visa, the applicant shall present:

•        Documents indicating the purpose of the journey;

•        Documents in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover his accommodation;”

While in the 4th section of the same article the “Visa Code” specifies:

“Member States may require applicants to present a proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a form drawn up by each Member State. That form shall indicate in particular:

•        Whether its purpose is proof of sponsorship and/or of accommodation;

•        Whether the host is an individual, a company or an organisation;

•        The host’s identity and contact details;

•        The invited applicant(s);

•        The address of the accommodation;”

On the other hand, the Article 21(5) about verification of entry conditions and risk assessment, requires:

“The means of subsistence for the intended stay shall be assessed in accordance with the duration and the purpose of the stay and by reference to average prices in the Member State(s) concerned for board and lodging in budget accommodation, multiplied by the number of days stayed, on the basis of the reference amounts set by the Member States in accordance with Article 34(1)(c) of the Schengen Borders Code. Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation may also constitute evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.”