Schengen Visa to Visit Family from UK 2026: Documents, Invitation Letter & Application Guide

Which Embassy to Apply To

Apply to the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country where your family member lives. If you're visiting family in France, apply to the French embassy in London. If you're visiting multiple countries, apply to the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most nights.

Most Schengen embassies in London use VFS Global as their application centre. Check the specific embassy website to confirm whether you apply through VFS, BLS International, or directly at the consulate. Appointment slots for popular destinations (France, Germany, Italy) book up fast in summer book as soon as your travel dates are fixed.

Invitation Letter from Your Host

The invitation letter is the most important document in a family visit application. Your family member in Europe needs to write a letter that includes:

• Their full name, address, and contact details
• Their immigration status in the Schengen country (EU citizen, permanent resident, work permit holder)
• Your full name and your relationship to them
• The exact dates and address of your stay
• Whether they are hosting you in their home or whether you're staying in a hotel
• Whether they are sponsoring your trip financially or you are self-funding

The letter should be typed (not handwritten), signed, and dated. Some embassies particularly France require the invitation letter to be officially declared at a local town hall (attestation d'accueil). Check the specific embassy requirements before your appointment.

Host Documents (Your Family Member Must Provide)

Alongside the invitation letter, your host needs to send you copies of:

• Identity document: passport or national ID card
• Proof of residence: utility bill, rental contract, or property ownership document dated within the last 3 months
• Immigration status: if they're not an EU citizen, a copy of their residence permit or right to reside document
• Bank statements (if sponsoring you): last 3 months, showing sufficient funds to cover your stay

Missing host documents are the most common reason family visit applications are delayed or refused. Get all documents from your host before booking your VFS appointment.

Proof of Your Relationship

Embassies verify that you and your host are genuinely related. Acceptable relationship evidence includes:

• Birth certificates (you and your host, showing a shared parent)
• Marriage certificate (if visiting a spouse or in-law)
• Recent WhatsApp, email, or call history showing regular contact
• Photographs together at family events
• Previous visit stamps in your passport showing you've visited before

For close family (parent, sibling, child) a birth certificate is usually sufficient. For extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles) you may need to provide a chain of birth certificates establishing the connection.

Your Own Documents (Applicant)

In addition to the host's documents, you need to provide your own supporting documents:

• UK residence proof: BRP card, BRP letter, or visa vignette showing you are legally resident in the UK
• Employment or ties: employer letter confirming your leave dates and that you will return to work, or proof of enrolment if studying
• Bank statements: last 3–6 months, showing regular income or sufficient savings
• travel insurance: minimum €30,000 medical coverage, valid for all Schengen countries, covering your full trip dates
• Flight reservation: confirmed outbound and return flights (refundable/on-hold tickets are fine at application stage)
• Hotel booking: only needed if you're not staying with your host the entire trip; if staying with family, the invitation letter covers accommodation

Financial Requirements

The general benchmark is £901–00 per day in Europe as a guide for self-funded applicants. The exact amount varies by embassy and destination country. You don't need a fixed minimum balance what matters is that your bank statements show a consistent, stable financial history and a reasonable balance relative to your trip length.

If your host is sponsoring you (paying for accommodation and some or all expenses), they need to provide their own bank statements and a clear statement in the invitation letter that they are taking financial responsibility for your visit.

Return Ties: Showing You Will Come Back to the UK

The biggest concern for any Schengen embassy is whether the applicant will overstay. For UK-based applicants, your return ties are typically strong you have a job, tenancy, or family in the UK. Make these explicit in your documents:

• employment letter stating your leave period and return date
• Rental contract or mortgage statement for your UK address
• Evidence of children or dependants in the UK (school letters, etc.)
• Any other commitments club memberships, subscriptions, ongoing courses

First-time Schengen applicants without travel history should pay extra attention to this section. Strong UK ties compensate for lack of prior Schengen stamps.

Document Checklist

• Completed Schengen visa application form
• Valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your return date, 2 blank pages)
• Two recent passport photos (35mm × 45mm, white background)
• UK residence proof (BRP, visa, or settled status letter)
• Invitation letter from host
• Host's ID and proof of residence
• Relationship proof (birth certificates, marriage certificate, photos)
• Flight reservation (outbound and return)
• Travel insurance certificate (€30,000+ coverage)
• Bank statements (3–6 months)
• Employment letter or proof of UK ties
• Hotel booking (only if not staying with host for full trip)

Complete your visa file

Book your travel insurance, flight reservation, and if needed a refundable hotel before your VFS appointment:

Frequently Asked Questions

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