A sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa serves as a financial guarantee to ensure travel for persons who do not have sufficient funds in their bank account. The person who issued it bears all expenses associated with the trip to the Schengen countries. In this article, we will look at what a sponsorship letter should look like and what are the basic rules for drafting it. The sample provided in Russian and English will allow you to prepare this document yourself.
What is a sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa
A sponsorship letter is a free-form document reflecting the obligations of a third party to pay travel expenses.
It is drawn up in free form, the main thing is to reflect the intention to financially support the recipient of a Schengen visa. The required elements in the sponsorship letter include: • Full passport details of the sponsor and visa recipient; • Place of travel; • Travel dates during which sponsorship is provided; • A phrase guaranteeing payment of financial expenses; • Date of issue of the letter; • Sponsor's signature and contact details (telephone, mail).
Any person, not necessarily a relative, can issue a sponsorship letter. Many consulates do not require confirmation of kinship when submitting a sponsorship letter, but there are also those that require confirmation of kinship ties. For example, the Italy visa center outlined such requirements on its official website. It is better to clarify this information before applying for a visa. Most often, relatives - parents, brothers and sisters - act as sponsors. The presence of family ties is preferable in the eyes of the consulate, since a loved one will not leave the traveler without support and will fulfill the obligations assumed in the letter. An organization can also act as a sponsor. The letter is drawn up on paper in printed or handwritten form, the sponsor’s signature is original. You cannot submit a photocopy of the letter, but there is no need to notarize it. You can prepare a sponsorship letter very quickly. Along with the letter, the sponsor must provide the visa applicant with proof of income and a bank statement. The consulate must be sure that the sponsor has the necessary funds to finance the trip. The statute of limitations for all documents must not exceed 30 days.
A letter of sponsorship will be required: • Children under 14 years of age traveling independently. When obtaining a visa jointly, a bank statement from the parents will be sufficient; • Students and pupils; • Unemployed; • Persons of retirement age; • Other persons who cannot confirm their solvency.
Previously, some consulates required a letter of sponsorship from persons who are not officially employed and are unable to provide a certificate of employment. Now they just need to confirm a sufficient level of financial resources for the trip. Most often, consulates provide sponsorship letters in Russian, but some may require an English version. Below you will find a sample sponsorship letter in these two languages.
Who needs a sponsorship letter
Providing a letter is not a requirement, but some citizens may need it to increase their chances of obtaining a visa. Such persons include:
- Women supported by their husbands and not working anywhere.
- Citizens who have lost their jobs for some time and are unable to provide an account statement, as well as those who have lost their ability to work, for example, with a disability.
- Students who do not have documented income.
- Pensioners who do not work anywhere, and the size of their pension does not allow them to travel.
In most cases, representatives of the listed categories of persons cannot confirm their employment.
Sample sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa in Russian
Here is a sample sponsorship letter. Based on it, you can create your own. The text of your letter may differ slightly, since the consulates of Schengen countries do not have strict requirements for wording. If the trip involves visiting several countries, this must be reflected in the letter.
To the consular section of the Spanish Embassy (Italy\France - select the one you need)\ or Upon presentation
Sponsorship letter
I, Petrov Ivan Sergeevich (born on August 15, 1984, Russian passport 9905 732006, issued by the Federal Migration Service of Russia for Moscow, Tverskoy district, unit code 770-090, registered at the address: Moscow, Lesnaya st., 7, apt. 15) I am the sponsor of my wife’s trip and with this letter I guarantee payment of all expenses associated with the stay of Olga Borisovna Petrova (born September 23, 1985, passport 0709187980, issued by the Federal Migration Service of Russia in Moscow, Tverskoy district, division code 770-090, registered under address: Moscow, Lesnaya str., 7, apt. 15) in Spain from August 24, 2021 to September 10, 2021. I am attaching a bank account statement and a certificate from my place of work.
"__" _________ 2021 _______________ / Last name I.O. /
Contact phone: 8–___–__________ Address: Moscow, st. Lesnaya, 7, apt. 15 Email
How to correctly write a sponsorship letter for a UK visa - sample
First, let's look at the main points related in one way or another to this document. There are many situations when a sponsorship letter is required to obtain a visa. This is, for example, a trip for a spouse with a child, which is paid for by the spouse. If a company employee goes to the UK on a business trip, the costs in this case are borne by the employer. Documentary evidence will also be required here. Another simple example is when a son goes to study in England. In this case, the parents become a sponsor for him - both or one of them. These are just the most typical cases. In fact, there can be a lot of different kinds of options.
In this case, when applying for a visa, you must inform them exactly who is willing to bear the costs associated with the stay of a Russian citizen in the UK. It should be noted that sponsors are also subject to certain requirements. The most important thing is that the person (individual or legal) confirms his financial solvency. This can be done using standard documents - salary certificates from work, bank account statements, and so on. The sponsor must confirm its willingness to cover the sponsor's expenses related to travel, food, accommodation and personal needs.
In addition, there is one more point to consider. For the British, the situation when the sponsor is not a close relative is not very clear. Therefore, it is desirable that, say, one of the parents finances a child’s trip to study. It is clear that this is not a rule at all. Nevertheless, it is still better to adhere to this recommendation. Accordingly, in this case you will need a document confirming the relationship. If sponsorship is provided by a third party, then you will have to explain the motives that guide him in this situation. Naturally, some logical arguments should be given. If the reason is too implausible, the visa is guaranteed to be refused.
Sample sponsorship letter in English
In English, a sponsorship letter may look like this:
Letter of sponsorship
I, Petrov Ivan Sergeevich holding passport No. 9905 732006, date of issue: 05/01/2003. Issued at police department of Moscow city. I take over the liability regarding all trip financial expenditures of my wife Petrova Olga Borisovna (passport No. 257181, issued at police department of Moscow city) for the trip to Spain during the period from 24.08.18 till 10.09.18. I understand that the above statement made by me are true and correct.
____________Ivanov Ivan Ivanovich 07/12/2018
Phone Address Email
Now preparing a sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa will be a simple formality for you. The sample provided is suitable for applying for a visa to the most popular countries among tourists - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland and others. Have a nice trip!
About the author: Ekaterina
On the pages of my blog you will find information about the places I have been, secrets and life hacks of independent travel.
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Who can become a sponsor
An important factor is the choice of a person who can write a sponsorship letter for a visa, since not every person can accept the document. In fact, any citizen who meets three requirements can act as a sponsor:
- Availability of official Russian citizenship.
- Ability to cover the visa recipient's expenses.
- Possibility to provide documentary evidence of financial responsibility.
However, in practice, the best option would be to contact close relatives, such as:
- parents (mother or father);
- children;
- husband or wife.
To confirm the relationship, it is enough to provide the relevant documents.
However, it is worth noting that the purpose of the trip remains the deciding factor, and the sponsor may not be a relative. So, for example, on business trips all expenses are borne by the receiving party. This means that proof of funds becomes the responsibility of the foreigners who provided the invitation.
Certificate of employment for a Schengen visa: sample format
Discussion: 4 comments
- Nikolay:
12/18/2017 at 18:08I never would have thought that I would need such a letter. But now in retirement I had to face...
Answer
Catherine:
12/22/2017 at 23:56
Yes, you may well need it in retirement.
Answer
12/18/2017 at 20:18
Once upon a time I also tried to get a Schengen visa, but I never had time to do it, other documents had already arrived...
Answer
- Catherine:
12/22/2017 at 23:59
It happens) Maybe someday you’ll try to do it again.
Answer
What documents are needed from the sponsor?
As a standard, the following documents are required from the sponsor:
- Certificate or bank account statement.
- Identity document - passport
- Sponsorship letter
- Proof of relationship (if applicable)
Some countries have additional requirements. For example, Ireland considers it insufficient to show the availability of funds - they ask to show the origin, that is, to also attach a certificate from the sponsor’s work.
In addition, there are countries that require you to show not just the balance, but also movements on the account, for example, a statement for the last 3-6 months.
Features of submitting a letter of sponsorship for different countries
It is worth noting that in different countries the rules for preparing a sponsorship letter may have some differences. So, for example, for a trip to Germany, it is important to correctly compose the text, indicating without fail the type of visa required.
If a person goes to Ireland, then a sponsorship letter should be written in English. At the same time, the reason for the trip is indicated, and a guarantee is given that the traveler will comply with local laws.
To find out the specifics of processing a document to obtain a visa in a particular country, you need to contact the consulate. Employees will not only be able to point out the nuances, but will also provide a sample sponsorship letter.
