For Indonesian travelers planning to visit Europe, a Schengen visa is a must-have. This visa allows you to travel to 26 European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. However, one of the requirements for a Schengen visa is an Income Tax Return (ITR) form. This can be a problem for those who are self-employed or do not have a regular source of income. The good news is that it is still possible to apply for a Schengen visa without an ITR form. In this guide, we will explain how.
What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is a travel document that allows you to enter and travel within the Schengen area. This area comprises 26 countries in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, among others. With a Schengen visa, you can travel to any of these countries and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
There are three types of Schengen visas:
- Uniform Schengen Visa (USV)
- Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV)
- National Visa
The Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) is the most common type of Schengen visa. It allows you to travel to all the countries in the Schengen area. The Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV) is issued to travelers who are only visiting one or a few Schengen countries. The National Visa is issued to travelers who plan to stay in a specific Schengen country for more than 90 days.
Can You Apply for a Schengen Visa Without an ITR?
Yes, it is possible to apply for a Schengen visa without an Income Tax Return (ITR) form. The ITR is one of the requirements for a Schengen visa. It serves as proof of your financial capacity and stability. However, if you are self-employed or do not have a regular source of income, you may not have an ITR form to submit. In this case, you can still apply for a Schengen visa by providing alternative documents that can prove your financial capacity and stability.
What are the Alternative Documents?
When applying for a Schengen visa without an ITR form, you need to provide alternative documents that can prove your financial capacity and stability. The following are some of the documents that you can submit:
- Bank statement or passbook
- Investment certificate
- Credit card statement
- Property ownership certificate or land title certificate
- Business registration certificate or permit
- Income certificate from your employer (if you are employed)
It is important to note that the alternative documents that you will submit should be able to prove that you have enough funds to cover your travel expenses, accommodation, and other related expenses. The amount of funds that you need to have will depend on your travel itinerary and the duration of your stay in the Schengen area.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa Without an ITR?
The application process for a Schengen visa without an ITR is similar to the regular application process. The only difference is that you need to submit alternative documents that can prove your financial capacity and stability. The following are the steps that you need to follow:
- Visit the website of the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country that you will visit.
- Check the requirements for a Schengen visa and make sure that you have all the necessary documents.
- Fill out the Schengen visa application form. Make sure that you fill out all the fields accurately and completely.
- Book an appointment with the embassy or consulate. You may be required to pay a visa application fee.
- Attend the appointment and submit your application and supporting documents. Make sure that you have all the original documents and photocopies.
- Wait for the processing of your application. The processing time may take up to 15 days. In some cases, it may take longer.
- If your application is approved, you will receive your Schengen visa. If it is denied, you will receive a notification with the reason for the denial.
Tips for a Successful Schengen Visa Application
When applying for a Schengen visa without an ITR, it is important to submit alternative documents that can prove your financial capacity and stability. However, this is not the only factor that the embassy or consulate will consider in evaluating your application. The following are some tips for a successful Schengen visa application:
- Submit all the required documents. Make sure that you have all the necessary documents and that they are complete and accurate.
- Provide a detailed itinerary. Your itinerary should include your travel dates, destinations, and accommodation details.
- Explain the purpose of your trip. You should be able to explain why you are traveling to the Schengen area and what you plan to do there.
- Show ties to your home country. You should be able to prove that you have strong ties to your home country and that you have reasons to return after your trip.
- Be honest and transparent. Make sure that you provide truthful information and do not withhold any important details.
Conclusion
Applying for a Schengen visa without an ITR form may seem like a daunting task, but it is definitely possible. By submitting alternative documents that can prove your financial capacity and stability, you can increase your chances of getting approved for a Schengen visa. Just make sure to follow the requirements and provide all the necessary documents. Good luck with your application!
