Document checklist
North Korea → Schengen Area: Short-stay tourist
What you need before you submit, checked against official requirements, not guesswork.
Checked by our automated verification on 20 Oct 2026: every source on this page resolves and the data is structurally complete. This does not confirm a person re-read the source text for accuracy.
Required documents
15 itemsIdentity
Children under 12: no fingerprints
Children under the age of 12 don't need to give fingerprints. Other applicants give fingerprints when they submit their application.
Source: EUR-Lex: Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated version of 28 June 2024
Completed visa application form
RequiredThe Schengen short-stay visa application form, filled in completely and signed. Use the form for the specific consulate or visa centre you are applying through.
If you're under 18: an application form signed by a parent or guardian
RequiredA minor's application form must be signed by a person exercising permanent or temporary parental authority, or a legal guardian, and gives their name, address, phone number, email and nationality. A child included in a parent's travel document still submits their own application form.
Source: EUR-Lex: Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated version of 28 June 2024
Recent passport-style photo
RequiredOne recent photo, taken in the last 6 months: 35x45mm, front-facing, plain light background, no glasses or head covering unless worn for religious reasons.
Valid passport
RequiredYour passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, stay valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area, and have at least 2 blank pages.
Financial
Proof you can afford the trip
RequiredBank statements from the last 3 months showing you have enough money for your stay, or, if someone else is paying, a signed sponsorship letter plus their bank statements and ID.
Visa fee for children
Adults pay EUR 90. Children from the age of 6 up to under 12 pay EUR 45, and the fee is waived for children under 6. A country may also waive the fee for children from 6 up to under 18. A visa service centre may charge an extra fee.
Source: EUR-Lex: Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated version of 28 June 2024
Purpose of travel
Cover letter explaining your trip
RequiredA short, signed letter stating who you are, where you are going, your travel dates, and the purpose of your visit.
Accommodation
Proof of accommodation
RequiredA hotel booking confirming every night of your stay, or a signed invitation letter from the friend or family member hosting you, together with a copy of their ID and proof of their address.
Insurance
Travel medical insurance
RequiredInsurance valid in every Schengen country, covering at least €30,000 for emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation, for the entire length of your stay.
Employment
Proof of employment, business, or study
RequiredEmployed: a letter from your employer confirming your job, salary, and approved leave dates. Self-employed: business registration and recent tax filings. Student: an enrolment certificate. Retired: a pension statement. This shows the consulate you have a reason to return home.
Travel
Round-trip travel itinerary
RequiredA flight reservation (it does not need to be paid or ticketed yet) showing the dates you plan to enter and leave the Schengen area.
Other
Family and minor travel documents
If you are travelling with anyone under 18, each child needs their own application, signed by a parent or legal guardian. The EU's list of supporting documents includes the consent of the parental authority or legal guardian when a minor does not travel with them. Consulates can ask for other documents, so check what yours requires. Each child's own checklist has the details.
Source: EUR-Lex: Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated version of 28 June 2024
If a child doesn't travel with their parent or guardian: their consent
The EU's list of supporting documents includes the consent of the parental authority or legal guardian when a minor does not travel with them. Your consulate decides which documents to ask for.
Source: EUR-Lex: Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated version of 28 June 2024
Proof of ties to your home country
RequiredEvidence that you are expected back home: property documents, family ties, a lease, or a letter confirming your job is waiting for you. Missing this is one of the most common reasons for refusal.
Why applications on this route get refused
Incomplete documentation
Missing one or more required documents is the single most common reason applications are refused or delayed.
How to avoid it: Work through this checklist and confirm every mandatory item is included before you submit your application.
Weak or insufficient financial proof
Bank statements that are too old, show an unstable balance, or don't cover the cost of your trip raise doubts about your ability to support yourself.
How to avoid it: Provide statements from the last 3 months with a stable balance that clearly covers your planned stay.
Unclear or missing travel itinerary
Not having clear entry and exit dates, or an itinerary that doesn't match your visa dates and stated purpose, makes your application harder to assess.
How to avoid it: Include a round-trip flight reservation with dates that match your application exactly.
Insufficient travel insurance
Insurance below the €30,000 minimum, not valid across the whole Schengen area, or not covering your full trip dates, does not meet the legal minimum.
How to avoid it: Buy a Schengen-compliant policy and double-check the coverage amount and dates before applying.
Purpose of visit not clearly justified
Consulates can refuse an application if they cannot tell why you are travelling, or if your documents tell inconsistent stories.
How to avoid it: Write a clear cover letter and make sure your invitation, bookings, and itinerary all support the same story.
Weak proof of ties to your home country
If the consulate is not convinced you will return home before your visa expires, they can refuse the application on that basis alone.
How to avoid it: Include proof of stable employment, property, or family ties, and explain any gaps in your travel or work history.
Sources
- EUR-Lex, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code) · checked 8 Sept 2026
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs · checked 8 Sept 2026
- EUR-Lex: Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated version of 28 June 2024 · checked 4 Oct 2026
Check your documents against this list before you pay the Schengen Area application fee.
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