Is Marriage Certificate Mandatory For Schengen Visa

[Shima Costar]

TheSchengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows visitors to stay in the Schengen Area of countries - which have removed almost all internal border controls - for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The Schengen Area includes most EU countries (but not Cyprus or Ireland). It also includes some countries outside the EU - but not the UK.

Schengen countries have created a list of the required documents you need to submit depending on your purpose of entry into the Area - and these requirements are more or less the same for each Schengen state. Here we will provide you with a checklist of the documents you need to meet the Schengen Visa requirements:

You should include an invitation letter from the person you plan to visit, as well as, if applicable, proof of the relationship with the person inviting you, such as a marriage or birth certificate. They must clearly state the duration, purpose, and how you propose to financially support yourself during your visit - this could include an affidavit of support promising you financial or material support.

If you are an employee traveling on company business, you will also need to provide a letter from your employer describing the purpose of your visit, while those invited by a company within the Schengen Area will need to present a letter of invitation sent via email to the consulate of the country you plan to travel to. You will also need to provide an employment contract, a bank statement documenting the last six months of statements, permission from your employer, and an income tax return.

If you are going to the Schengen Area to study in a university or a college, you will need an acceptance letter inviting you to join the institution you plan to attend. The letter must have all the details of your stay there, including your major, the duration of your studies, how the studies will be financed, where you will stay, and contact details.

You will need an invitation letter from those sponsoring you to attend the event, specifying its itinerary, location, purpose, and why your presence is required. Your sponsor will also need to provide contact details, proof of identity and documentation outlining the nature of the event.

Domestic Cruises

In addition to required documents stated below, guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements.

Europe and Transatlantic Cruises

U.S Permanent Residents must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

Schengen Visa Requirements

Under the Schengen regulations, citizens of certain countries will need a valid visa to visit or transit through any country in the Schengen area. There are currently 26 European countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement. The agreement eliminates all internal border controls between the participating countries. Once you enter a Schengen country, you may travel continuously for up to 90 days within the member countries.

Visa requirements vary depending on the passport under which you are traveling and the countries being visited. Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. We strongly suggest that guests visit www.schengenvisa.cc for additional Schengen Visa information and check with the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Be sure to provide the complete itinerary of the cruise so the embassy or consulate can provide the correct information. Guests may also contact a visa service agency for assistance.

Please Note: For those about to or recently have been married, we strongly recommend that if the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be made in the maiden name (do not include the married name); If the reservation was made in the married name, but the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate or marriage license. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denied boarding.

Traveling with Minors

When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

Carnival requires guests to provide proper travel documentation in order to travel. The documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Our policy states that any guest traveling without proper documentation will be denied boarding the ship and will be under full penalty, and therefore, will not be offered a refund or a replacement cruise. Guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

All Visa Waiver Program countries are required to issue passports that include specified security features (biometric identifiers) in order to enter the United States. A biometric identifier is an electronic scan of a physical feature, such as an eye, hand, fingerprint, or face. It allows an immigration inspector to know for certain that the person appearing before them is the same person to whom a passport or visa was issued.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications may be submitted any time prior to travel. However, it is recommended that guests apply when they begin preparing their travel plans. We suggest that guests visit www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta for additional information regarding ESTA.

Guests will need to print and carry their Electronic System for Travel Authorization as it will need to be presented at cruise check-in along with their passport. An ESTA needs to be completed for each family member traveling on the cruise.

*United Kingdom - only British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent residence in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are eligible to enter the United States with ESTA.

Note: Citizens of Curacao, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten (from the former Netherland Antilles) are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visas Waiver Program, if they are applying for admission with passports from these countries.

Europe and Transatlantic Cruises

Non-U.S. Citizens must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

Schengen Visa Requirements

Under the Schengen regulations, citizens of certain countries will need a valid visa to visit or transit through any country in the Schengen area. There are currently 26 European countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement. The agreement eliminates all internal border controls between the participating countries. Once you enter a Schengen country, you may travel continuously for up to 90 days within the member countries.

Please Note: For those about to or recently have been married, we strongly recommend that if the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be made in the maiden name (do not include the married name); If the reservation was made in the married name, but the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate or marriage license. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.

If you are an EU citizen and you are living in or travelling to another EU country, your family can join you, including core family members who are not EU citizens. If, for example, you are a French citizen living in Italy, and your spouse is a US citizen, they can join you in Italy.

However, this does not apply to the country of your nationality. If, for example, you are a German national and your non-EU family members want to join you in Germany national rules apply.

3a8082e126