startup got selected to exhibit in web summit (zero funding), company doesn't have the fund to cover the expenses
This year web summit selected my startup company to exhibit at their summit. They just waived the exhibit ticket for 3 to 1/10 price. We paid the registration and now they are processing our invitation letter. They wont be providing any type of accommodation or travel tickets. We booked our hotel, talking to the travel agency for ticket pricing and managing all the necessary papers.
Since it's a startup and our salary isn't sufficient for the trip neither any of us have the fund in our bank accounts. The company also doesn't have much fund in its account.
So in such case
- Can our fathers be sponsors to the trip (they have sufficient fund in bank)?
- Is business visa the right option along with business trip as sub option?
- Are my pay slips necessary till date (please note sometimes it was paid in cash and sometimes in bank but we have all papers signed that we received the xyz amount that month)
- Since the company won't be able to sponsor anyone of us, is it necessary to submit company bank account statement?
Best Answer
Except for a few special cases, sponsorship for a Schengen visa is no clear-cut legal category.
- They want to know the reason for your trip.
- They want to know your financial circumstances. Always, even if you cannot afford the trip on your own. Being on a cash basis is usually seen as a bad sign.
- They want to know who pays and why. Always, even if you can afford the trip on your own. As I understand it, the company pays for the trip and all expenses, so your parents would at best provide emergency funds for you if there are unexpected expenses.
They will always look at income and expenditure, not just the bank balance. That is why they want multiple statements or payslips from you.
You are traveling for business reasons, and saying anything else in the application would be stupid. It would make it look as if you are hiding something.
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