Why do some countries require a proof of accommodation in their visa application?
I am applying for a visa to enter a country (Spain). The visa application requires a proof of fully-paid accommodation post-quarantine.
I understand the usefulness of a proof of accommodation if:
- It was challenging to find accommodation. However, the country in question has a plethora of near-empty hotels desperate to find customers
- The visa applicant was impecunious. However, the visa application also requires a proof of funds via bank statements.
- The country wants to make sure that the visa applicant has somewhere to stay for the first few nights. However, the country imposes a mandatory 14-day quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic in designated quarantine facilities.
In that context, why do some countries require a proof of accommodation in their visa application?
Response to some comments:
You are trying apply logical reasoning to bureaucracy and these two often don't go together well. Hilmar7 hours ago
Logical reasoning worked well to explain the remaining dozen of certificates and proofs I had to provide for the visa application.
The answer to "why" is often just: because some old rule of unknown origin and motivation says so. Hilmar7 hours ago
The visa I applied for is pretty new.
Even if you do find a reason: what difference would that make? Hilmar7 hours ago
My proof of accommodation got rejected, because it was from a third-party hotel booking website (Agoda) and not directly from the hotel. The hotel refused to provide a nice-looking certificate. I could book a different hotel but this could delay my application. If I new why they required a proof of accommodation in their visa application, I could perhaps provide some alternative, such as more proof of funds.
In additional to the comment from @Hilmar, IMHO this is also a pointless question because you attempt to tar multiple countries with the same brush. Just because country A imposes a condition for particular reason doesn't mean that country B imposes the same condition for the same country. So there can be no canonical answer. Peter M 2 mins ago
The set of possible reasons is likely to be very small, therefore it makes no sense to ask this question for each country separately.
There will be no official statement any answers can only be speculation.Peter M 2 mins ago
Embassy websites and other sources contain plenty of information regarding the visa application process.
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What is the proof of accommodation?
A proof of accommodation document is simply a document that shows you have somewhere to stay during your trip to the Schengen Area. It could be a hotel booking, a letter from family or a friend, or a rental agreement stating you have the short-term rent of a home for the duration of your trip.Do I need proof of accommodation for student visa?
The Embassy/Consulate does that through the following recognized forms: An Evidence of a Place to Stay, such as Hotel Booking or Reservation, An Invitation from The Host with a Copy of His Passport (proof of sponsorship), Evidence of a pre-paid tour with details of your payment to the tour operator.Do I need proof of accommodation for UK visa?
Accommodation and travel details- confirmation of accommodation booking. If you will be staying with your family member/ friend for the duration of their stay in the UK you should provide proof of the address (e.g. a copy of tenancy agreement). Evidence you can pay the cost of your return travel from the UK.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.How to Submit Proof of Accommodation for Visa Application
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