15

I would recommend discussing the possibility of getting such a letter from her employer first. If said employer is willing to give her leave (even if unpaid) he/she should be willing to write a quick letter stating that she will return to her place of work. Voyager is correct in that the immigration officers are generally very suspicious. But I found that the UK is stricter with that than the Schengen countries. A job to return to is a good reason, yes (which is why I agree that she shouldn't quit her job.) Other obligations tying her to her country will help (I had to write long essays explaining reasons why I had to return to my country for the UK visa I applied for, whereas this was never a requirement for a Schengen Visa.) Financial support from the host is purely for the purpose of her visit. And it is sufficient (in fact, says so in the Schengen application form) should she not have the financial means to fund her own visit. I don't recommend 'shopping' for Embassies that seem less strict than others. Above all else, they want an honest application. If you do your paperwork correctly the application process should be fine. I think travel agents should be able to give you good advice. On a side-note: I always get questioned by passport control when entering the UK but never when entering a Schengen country.

16

Same, the one time we entered the UK we were questioned by passport control, but never while entering Schengen as a family. Hope OP comes back soon to evaluate the responses.

Can't she also show all the assets (such as bank accounts, property etc) she owns in her home country (China) as a binding reason to return?

---

In #3 I wrote:
"With the first point, you should be fine even if she obeys it"

I should have written:
"With the first point, you should be fine even if she doesn't obey it"

Edited by: ansh_jain_97

17

I think that they might still ask for bank statements. Regardless of the holiday being funded by someone else. This is purely to show that you have a consistent income (even if it is a small amount.) I hope the OP hasn't given up on the idea. It is overwhelming at first, but once you have everything done, worth the effort.

18

As per OP, his girlfriend hasn't quit yet. That means she would have got a salary recently- and those bank papers could be shown if she's applying soon. It's the proof of leave given by the employer which OP may have to worry about. Nearly all consulates seem to be asking for it.
Maybe your last resort is for her to take a tour and you joining. With a tour, visas are generally easier (at least here in India). A personal interview may not be mandatory in this case.

19

I agree with #18: and if she visits "Schengen-land" once with a tour group, and returns, then getting a visa for a later visit would be considerably easier.

20

True. I agree.

21

Hallo to all,
thank you so much for your messages, I have been reading them with great interest and trying to find some sort of solution.
Just to answer a couple points:

1) I am Italian but have been living in Germany for almost 10 years, so the poin of entry and the place where most of the time will be spent will have to be Germany.

2) I can provide a financial guarantee from Germany but NOT from Italy (since I am not registered there anymore).

3) The first stay will be short, I am aiming for 2-4 weeks, depending on if & for how long her employer grantes her the holidays, I was planning to register her for an intensive German course at the Goethe Institute (similar to the Confucius Institute for the Chinese, Istituto Cervantes for the Spanish, etc. etc.). Her being a translator for EnglishChinese, it is at least plausible that she may want to learn a new language to increase her career prospects. The Goethe Institute would issue a letter of enrolment once all has been paid, and I'm hoping that it might help for the application process.

4) Yes her financial situation is not great, but I'm hoping that mine compensates for that.

Applying for a Visa is not a singing contest, I agree, but LucySky what do you mean by you can definitely try harder ? Once I/she fills out the paperwork correctly, presents the bank statements, letter from employer, hukou, etc. etc. what more can be done to try harder ?

Voyager_2002 seems to be the most pessimistic (realistic????). May I enquire as to the reason for this ? Don't misunderstand, I'm non trying to put you on the spot !!!!!!! But you raise the worst-case scenario which I need to be able deal with. If you may, could you tell me a bit more about why you think it's a dead-end case ?

Thanks to all once again.
Ciao

22

In response to #21, my experience is purely with British visas (I am British) and there are good reasons why the UK is harder than Schengen-land. I have known several people who were refused visitors' visas to the UK, essentially because the lack of a well-paid job at home meant that the officials did not believe that they would go home after their visit.

Anyway, I hope that things work out for you.

23

Hi Clasalv,

I'm happy you've had the opportunity to look at our posts (and hoping it proves helpful.) What I meant with 'trying harder' is that I've had a few trial-by-error Schengen Visa applications (one of which was refused) because I was misinformed, my paperwork wasn't done properly, my intentions were unclear. I started doing my research (similar to what you're doing now.)

I don't think vouching from Germany will be a problem seeing as you legally live there.

I do think enrolling her at the Goethe institute is a good idea, but I recommend phoning the embassy and asking them for an opinion regarding that (it might mean that your application will be slightly different.)

Applying for 4 weeks for a first Schengen Visa is a little long. My first application was refused because of the time I requested. They were suspicious. By my third Schengen Visa application they actually gave me more days than I requested (a full 90 days.) They want to see that you abide by the rules.

Remember that few employers grant their staff 4 weeks leave.

I hope her employer will give her that letter. Please keep us updated.

24

Actually the first Schengen visa we got was for 1 month.. I wouldn't see much reason for suspicion provided all documents are clear.

25

Probably best to see if the employer is willing to grant her leave and for how long.

26

In response to #23: I understood the bit about enrolling at the Goethe Institut as meaning that she would be taking German lessons at home in Beijing. Anyway, telephoning an embassy / consulate there is a nightmare, particularly those that outsource the visa process to a company called VFS.

Do think carefully about whether the visa application should say anything about German classes. Such lessons look like part of a long-term plan to move to Germany, and so might arouse suspicions that she plans to over-stay.

27

Although VFS France in Mumbai says like everything else that a leave approval is required, my father said he sent no leave approval for our visa, which came without problems, 3 years ago...

28

Ciao,
yes, calling the German embassy is an impossible task. On the bright side, I'm leaving for Beijing tomorrow and will be in China for 4 weeks. Half of the time we'll be travelling (contrary to my expectations she managed to get 2 weeks of unpaid leave for the summer!! but unfortunately the time is far too short to try applying for a Schengen visa now), and the last two weeks we'll be back in Beijing so I'll go to the embassy personally and see if I can talk to someone there.

Lucysky, regarding the ease of getting your third visa, I read that the first couple times they're stricter because you have no "history", but after they see that you are trustworthy, it's easier to get subsequent visas and you don't even need to go for the personal interviews any more.

Thank you very much to all of you for your informative replies.
If you have other suggestions please continue this thread.

Ciao