Eligibility Requirements
- Valid Bangladeshi passport โ issued within last 10 years and valid at least 3 months after return
- Application submitted no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel
- Confirmed itinerary and hotel bookings for all nights
- Travel insurance: minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
- Bank statement showing sufficient funds (EUR 50โ100 per day)
- Strong ties to Bangladesh: employment, property, family
Required Documents
9 mandatory documents ยท 0 supporting documents recommended
Mandatory Documents
Valid Passport and Old Passports
RequiredCurrent passport plus ALL previous passports. At least 2 blank visa pages.
Visa Application Form
RequiredCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form.
Passport-Sized Photos (2)
Required35mm x 45mm, white background, no glasses.
Travel Itinerary
RequiredDay-by-day travel plan.
Hotel/Accommodation Bookings (all nights)
RequiredConfirmed reservations for every night.
Return Air Ticket
RequiredConfirmed round-trip flight booking.
Travel Insurance Certificate
RequiredMinimum EUR 30,000 medical coverage, valid for all Schengen countries.
Bank Statement (last 6 months)
RequiredMinimum EUR 50 per day (BDT 6,000/day) recommended. Must be genuine and consistent.
Employment Certificate
RequiredLetter confirming position, salary, leave approval, job awaits return.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Determine Which Embassy to Apply At
Apply at embassy of Schengen country you will spend most days in. If multiple equal, apply at first entry country.
Check Embassy Appointment Availability
Schengen appointments in Dhaka fill up quickly. Book as early as allowed (up to 6 months before travel).
Prepare Complete Document Package
Gather ALL required documents. Missing even one is common cause of rejection. Pay attention to travel insurance and consistent bank statements.
Book VFS/Embassy Appointment
Most EU countries process through VFS Global or BLS International in Dhaka.
Attend Appointment and Submit Documents
Bring all originals plus photocopies. Biometrics taken for first-time applicants.
Pay Visa Fee
EUR 90 (BDT 10,800) for adults. Non-refundable.
Application Processed
Standard 15 calendar days. Complex cases up to 45 days.
Collect Passport
Collect with Schengen visa sticker. Check all details.
Fees Breakdown
All fees are approximate. Exchange rates change โ confirm current amounts before applying.
| Fee Type | Amount (BDT) |
|---|---|
| Schengen Visa Application Fee (adults) | 10,800 |
| Children 6-12 years | 5,400 |
| Children under 6 | เงณ 0 |
| VFS/BLS Service Charge | 3,000โ5,000 |
| Schengen Travel Insurance | 1,500โ3,000 |
* Fees subject to change. Always verify on the official visa portal or VFS Global website before applying.
Processing Time
Standard Schengen processing: 15 calendar days. Complicated cases: up to 45 calendar days. Do NOT book non-refundable flights before visa is approved.
Where to Apply in Bangladesh
VFS Global (Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, etc.): Rupayan Shelford, 4th floor, 24/A Gulshan North C/A, Dhaka 1212. BLS International (Spain, Italy, Portugal): check blsinternational.com.
Interview Tips
France, Germany, Netherlands may call Bangladeshi applicants for interview. Tips: dress professionally, know itinerary thoroughly, explain why you will return to Bangladesh (job, family, property). Answer naturally and truthfully. Bring originals of ALL documents.
Common Rejection Reasons
Avoid these common mistakes that cause visa refusals:
- Insufficient bank balance โ #1 reason for Schengen refusals from Bangladesh
- Bank statement showing sudden large deposits just before application
- No travel insurance or below EUR 30,000 coverage
- Inconsistent or missing hotel bookings
- No clear ties to Bangladesh
- No employment letter
- Application submitted outside 6-month/15-day window
- Previous refusal not declared honestly
Frequently Asked Questions โ Schengen Area Tourist Visa
Q1. What is the Schengen Area?
27 European countries with no passport controls at mutual borders. Single Schengen visa allows travel to all. Countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Note: Ireland, UK, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania are NOT Schengen.
Q2. How much bank balance do I need for Schengen visa?
EUR 50โ100 per day as rough guideline. For 10-day trip: EUR 500โ1,000 (BDT 60,000โ120,000) minimum. Balance must be CONSISTENT over 6 months โ sudden deposits are a major red flag.
Q3. What is Schengen travel insurance and where to get it in Bangladesh?
Must provide minimum EUR 30,000 coverage for medical emergencies, valid across all Schengen for entire trip. Available from: Green Delta Insurance, Reliance Insurance, Pioneer Insurance. Many VFS offices sell on-site. Cost: BDT 1,500โ3,000 for 10-14 days.
Related Visa Guides
Tourist Visa for Other Countries
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