Visa types by purpose
Holiday, family, business, an event, treatment or a stopover: the purpose decides which documents carry your application. Each guide explains what consulates ask for and how the main destinations differ.
+46 72 327 62 76
Tourist visa
Holidays, sightseeing and round trips.
Learn more
Family and friends visit visa
Visiting relatives and friends, weddings and new babies.
Learn more
Business visa
Meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and site visits.
Learn more
Conference and event visa
Conferences, exhibitions, sports, cultural and religious events.
Learn more
Medical treatment visa
Treatment, consultations and support for a patient.
Learn more
EU family member visa
Free, fast-tracked visas for family members of EU citizens.
Learn more
Transit visa
Changing planes in Europe, the UK or Ireland.
Learn more
What a visit visa application needs
Every consulate publishes its own checklist. These are the documents the EU Visa Code lists, and what changes with the purpose of your trip.
The basics for every trip
Schengen rules shown
Passport
For a Schengen visa: issued in the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave, with at least two blank pages (Visa Code, Article 12). The US asks for 6 months beyond your stay unless your country is exempt; the UK for the whole stay.
Form and photo
The signed application form and a recent photo that meets the photo rules. Online applications such as the US DS-160 take the photo as an upload.
Travel medical insurance
For a Schengen visa: cover for urgent care, hospital treatment and repatriation of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen countries for the whole trip (Article 15).
Money for the trip
Bank statements or other proof that you can pay for the stay. Sweden, for example, asks visitors to show SEK 700 for each day.
Where you will stay
A hotel booking, or an invitation from the person you stay with (Annex II, point A3).
Travel plans
Your itinerary and a reservation of a return or round-trip ticket, which the Visa Code lists as supporting evidence (Annex II, part B).
Ties to home
Proof of work, studies, family or property where you live, which shows that you will return (Annex II, part B).
Fingerprints
Taken at the appointment for most applicants. Children under 12 are exempt, and fingerprints given in the last 59 months are reused (Article 13).
What your purpose adds
Documents for the purpose of a holiday
- Hotel bookings for your stay, or confirmation of an organised trip (Annex II, point A3)
- Your itinerary: where you will go and when
- A reservation of a return or round-trip ticket (Annex II, part B)
How destinations differ
Schengen area. One visa covers the 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180. You apply to the country where you will spend the most time, or to the first country you visit if the stays are equal. The fee is €90 from age 12.
United Kingdom. Standard Visitor visa (£135, stays of up to 6 months), or an ETA (£20) if your nationality can use one. GOV.UK says travellers from Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada usually need an ETA rather than a visa.
United States. B-2 visa for tourism and holidays, applied for on Form DS-160 with an interview, or ESTA for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries for stays of 90 days or less.
Documents for a family visit
- An invitation from your host with their address, the dates and the relationship (Annex II, point A3)
- Proof of how you are related, such as birth or marriage certificates (Annex II, part C)
- Often: a copy of your host’s passport or residence permit
- For a minor travelling without both parents: consent from the parents or legal guardian (Annex II, part C)
Some Schengen countries ask for an official sponsorship or accommodation form instead of a letter (Visa Code, Article 14(4)).
Read the Family and friends visit visa guideHow destinations differ
Schengen area. The invitation shows where you stay. Countries may ask for proof of sponsorship or private accommodation on their own form, and for proof of family ties with your host.
United States. Visiting friends or relatives is a B-2 purpose. The State Department says a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed and is not a factor in the decision: you qualify on your own ties abroad.
Canada. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for the super visa: up to 5 years per visit, with multiple entries for up to 10 years.
Documents for a business trip (Visa Code, Annex II, point A1)
- An invitation from the company or authority you will meet, for meetings, conferences or events connected with trade, industry or work
- Documents that show the business relationship
- Entry tickets for fairs and congresses, if relevant
- Documents on the business activities of your company
- Proof of your employment in the company, such as an employer letter about your role and the trip
How destinations differ
Schengen area. Business visits of up to 90 days in any 180. Applicants who have used earlier visas lawfully can get multiple-entry visas valid for 1 year, then 2 years and then 5 years (Visa Code, Article 24(2)).
United Kingdom. Visitors can attend meetings, conferences and seminars, negotiate and sign deals, promote their business at trade fairs (without selling), carry out site visits and get work-related training if employed overseas.
United States. B-1 covers consulting business associates, attending conventions and conferences, settling an estate and negotiating a contract. Employment is not allowed on a visitor visa.
Documents for an event (Visa Code, Annex II, point A4)
- An invitation, entry ticket, registration or programme, naming the host organisation and the length of stay where possible
- For a business conference: the business trip documents as well
- Proof of how the trip is paid if the organiser covers costs
Young people aged 25 or under who take part in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations can be exempt from the Schengen visa fee (Visa Code, Article 16).
Read the Conference and event visa guideHow destinations differ
Schengen area. The event invitation, ticket or registration is the key document. Apply early: consulates accept applications up to 6 months before travel.
United States. B-1 covers attending a scientific, educational, professional or business convention or conference. Paid performances need a different visa; unpaid amateur participation in music or sports events is allowed on B-2.
United Kingdom. Visitors can attend conferences and seminars, and give a one-off or short series of talks if they are not for profit or a commercial event.
Documents for medical treatment (Visa Code, Annex II, point A6)
- An official document from the hospital or clinic confirming that you need care there
- Proof that you can pay for the treatment, such as funds, a deposit receipt or a sponsor
- Medical reports from your doctor at home, translated where needed
- For a companion: proof of the relationship, with their own application
How destinations differ
United Kingdom. Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons: £234, up to 11 months. A doctor’s or consultant’s letter must confirm the condition, the estimated cost and length of treatment, and where it takes place. Treatment at an NHS hospital needs an authorisation form from your government saying it will pay.
Australia. Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602): free when you apply outside Australia. The length of stay is set case by case, and you usually need written proof that the hospital has approved your treatment and the payment arrangements. It also covers support persons and organ donors.
United States. Medical treatment is a B-2 purpose. Expect to show the treatment arrangements and how you will pay.
The documents EU guidance lists (no other documents are required)
- Your valid passport
- The valid ID card or passport of your EU family member
- Proof of the family tie, such as a marriage or birth certificate, and proof of dependency or of a durable partnership where relevant
- Proof that you will accompany or join the EU citizen in the host country, such as their registration certificate, or their declaration that they will travel there
Source: Your Europe, the EU’s official guidance, last updated 3 November 2026.
Read the EU family member visa guideHow destinations differ
Schengen area. The visa is free and issued as soon as possible under an accelerated procedure (Directive 2004/38/EC, Article 5(2)). EU guidance says processing times over 15 days should be exceptional and duly justified.
Ireland. Qualifying family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are exempt from Irish visa fees.
Documents for a transit (Visa Code, Annex II, point A3)
- The visa or entry permit for your final destination
- Tickets for the onward journey
- Your passport, valid for the whole journey
How destinations differ
Schengen area. Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka need an airport transit visa to pass through the international transit area of any Schengen airport. Some countries require it from other nationalities too, and some travellers are exempt, for example holders of certain valid visas or residence permits (Visa Code, Article 3).
United Kingdom. A Direct Airside Transit visa is for people changing flights without going through UK border control. A Visitor in Transit visa is for people who go through border control and leave the UK within 48 hours. If your nationality uses an ETA, you need one to pass through border control.
Ireland. Transit visa required nationals need an Irish transit visa to pass through an Irish airport or seaport. The fee is €25.
Where are you going next?
Plan your trip in a minute and continue in the portal. Questions first? Call us.