Do I need to pay in full for hostel reservation to show proof of accommodation for a Schengen visa?
I am applying for a Schengen visa to travel to Germany and one of the requirements is showing proof of accommodation. I booked all my hostels via hostelworld.com, but only paid the non-refundable deposit (a couple of dollars for each place) instead of the entire amount. I intend to pay the rest of it on arrival at the hostel (or cancel it and go CouchSurfing, thus saving money).
But for the visa application, will the non-refundable deposit be enough to show proof of accommodation?
The reason I ask is, I emailed one of the hostels requesting a document showing my name and accommodation confirmation, and they replied saying they could only give me such a document once I pay in FULL.
Is this how I'm supposed to book for all places?
Have I been doing it wrong all this while (by only paying the tiny non-refundable deposit instead of full hostel fare)?
Best Answer
No, only a reservation is required. In fact, it is recommended you do not pay for your ticket (or hotel) until after your visa is secured.
I do not know how hostels operate as I have never stayed in one (except boarding school), but for hotels you generally reserve (with your credit card) and then pay when you check-in.
To do this you must book at the hotel's website and not some third party travel service (like expedia/travelocity/hotels.com) because these properties have pre-booked the rooms and need to sell them to you outright.
For a definitive source on this, you can visit the embassy/foreign mission website of any Schengen member state, or a generic site like schengenvisainfo.com.
Here is a snippet from the Netherlands Embassy in Kuwait (pdf link, relevant info pasted here, with my emphasis):
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TOURIST VISA
- Duly filled application form with 1 recent photograph (NOT OLDER THEN 6 MONTHS) with white or grey background color passport size.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after expiry date of the visa.
- Copy of holder page travel document.
- Copy of ID card if applicable.
- Previous passport if any.
- Copy of flight reservation and hotel booking for the entire period of stay in Schengen Area.
- Copy of travel insurance, minimum coverage €30,000 (thirty thousand) valid for Schengen Area for the duration of your stay.
- The visa fee equivalent of €60.00 (sixty) in KWD, cash only.
- Letter from the employer/sponsor stating how long you have been working for the company, what is your designation (position) and how much is your monthly salary (Kuwaiti nationals exempted).
- Valid Kuwaiti residence permit endorsed in passport.
- Proof of social/ economic ties; original bank statements of the last 6 months (Kuwaiti nationals exempted).
Note that this only applies for tourist visas, for business visas you don't need to show a hotel reservation.
Pictures about "Do I need to pay in full for hostel reservation to show proof of accommodation for a Schengen visa?"
Do you need to show proof of accommodation?
If you are planning to stay at a hotel in your destination country then you will have to submit proof of the hotel booking, which usually is a 'hotel confirmation letter' which is also known as hotel itinerary for visa application.How do you show proof of accommodation?
This can be done in 3 ways:What is accommodation confirmation?
The best way to provide proof of accommodation to the diplomatic office is in the form of a written email confirmation of your stay from the hotel where you reserved your room. This is the typical way to prove to have your accommodation booked in a hotel.How do I get proof of accommodation in Germany?
Proof of booked and paid accommodation in Germany is to be sent to the Embassy/Consulate together with all the other documentation. If you are staying with friends/relatives, a copy of their ID and Passport, as well as proof that they can support your stay, is mandatory.When to Book Schengen Visa Hotel Reservations (Europe Visa)
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Images: Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro, cottonbro, cottonbro