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This page provides information for students travelling to countries within the Schengen area.
The Student Enquiries Centre Team are able to produce Schengen Visa Letters for students who wish to travel within the Schengen Zone for tourism, field trips organised by UCL, students who have an approved Study Leave (Postgraduate Research students only) and students who have an approved agreement to Study Away from UCL (Postgraduate Taught students only). This letter is provided electronically unless stated otherwise.
Please visit here to find out how to obtain the letter
Not all nationalities need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen area.
- Schengen Countries
The Schengen Visa Scheme allows students to visit all of the participating countries in the Schengen area using just one visa. The UK and Republic of Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen space.
These countries are:
- Where to apply
- If you intend to travel to only one Schengen country, you will need to apply for a visa at the embassy of that country.
- If you intend to visit multiple Schengen countries, you need to apply for a visa at the embassy of the main destination country (i.e. where you will be spending the most nights).
- If you are applying for a Schengen visa to travel to multiple countries and do not have a main destination, you will need to apply to the embassy of the country you are visiting first.
- How to apply
Visa fees, eligibility criteria and documentation required vary according to which type of Schengen visa you need and the country you are applying to. You should check the website of the relevant embassy before making your application. Applications should be made as early as possible maximum of 6 months prior to the travel date, in case there are any unexpected delays in processing the application.
- What you need in order to apply
- A passport with at least two empty pages. The passport should have been issued within the last 10 years. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen territory, or, in the case of multiple journeys, the date on which you intend to leave after the last stay.
- A visa application form completed and signed.
- A recent identity photograph conforming to ICAO standards. In the countries where the Visa Information System is operational, your fingerprints will be collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants).
- A visa fee to be paid when you submit your application
- A service fee to be paid if you are requested to submit your application at the offices of a service provider.
- Travel medical insurance covering emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in the case of death). The minimum cover should be of 30,000EUR. This insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and throughout the duration of your stay.
- Proof of purpose of the visit - Invitation letters from friends/conference. Reservations for accommodation or tours may need to be shown.
- Evidence of current UK immigration permission - Most Schengen countries insist that your immigration permission to be in the UK should last for at least 3 months after you return from your trip.
- Evidence of sufficient funds - You have to show that you can support yourself during your stay. Evidence confirming this can be recent bank statements, and credit card statements showing the current credit limit.
- Evidence of student status - You can obtain a Schengen Visa letter from the Student Enquires Centre at UCL confirming that you are enrolled and attending a programme of study. If you require a Schengen Visa letter for tourism and a Field Trip, you can download one directly from Portico. To request a letter for Study Leave or Study Away from UCL, please log into askUCL and log an enquiry under the category 'Schengen Visa'. You will be asked to provide additional information about your planned travel as well as to confirm that you have read and understood the FCDO guidance and knowingly take responsibility for any costs incurred due to changes in guidance
If you have finished your studies, or are intending to travel after your studies have finished, you will not require a Schengen visa letter. The Student Enquiries Centre will not issue you a Schengen visa letter if you have finished your studies.
- Application tips
- Application processing times will vary depending upon which embassy you are applying to. Applicants are advised to leave plenty of time (more than two or three months) before they plan to travel.
- Take a copy of the application form and any additional documents that you send, for your own records.
For further guidance on frequently asked questions, you can refer to the European Commission's FAQ's.
- Travel Advice
Before you travel overseas please check the latest information on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
We advise you to make paper and digital copies of your passport, student visa and/or your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) before travelling, and keep copies separate from your travel documents as it will make getting a replacement easier if they are lost or stolen. If your passport and/or BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card is lost or stolen, please read through the list of instructions on what to do next.
Whilst you are abroad, you can also access UCL’s free out-of-hours support Spectrum.
The Spectrum service is available to all UCL students for information, advice and counselling via telephone and instant messaging at the following times: Monday to Friday from 5 pm to 9 am (GMT/BST).
Please also remember to:
Remain vigilant in countries with a heightened terror alert, especially in busy areas.- Follow the instructions of local authorities and laws.
- If you are travelling to Europe, please also visit the UK government’s Visit Europe after Brexit pages and the UKICSA Travel in Europe guidance.
- Write down phone numbers for emergency services; this will be 112 in most European countries.
- Take care of your possessions while abroad (avoid leaving bags and valuables out of your sight and be aware of pickpockets in busy areas).
- Report any lost or stolen possessions to the local police immediately.