Checklist: Applying for a Schengen visa in Cuba to visit family or friends

Bring: original document

You will need a completed and signed Schengen visa application form. Print the form and submit it with your other documents.

Complete the application form

Bring: original document

You will need a valid travel document, such as a passport. Your travel document must meet the following requirements:

• it is no more than 10 years old
• it must have at least 2 empty visa pages
• it must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area
• it must bear your signature

Bring: original document

You will need to submit a photo that meets Dutch requirements:

• colour photo
• no more than 6 months old
• 3.5cm by 4.5cm
• white or light-coloured background

Find out where you can have a photo that meets Dutch requirements taken in Cuba

If you are applying for a visa through an external service provider, you do not need to submit a photo. A digital photo will be taken at your appointment.

Bring: original document and colour copy

You will need valid proof of legal residence in the country where you are applying for a visa. You can show that you are legally resident in the country where you submit your visa application using, for instance:

• a passport or other travel document
• a residence permit. This must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
• a work permit. This must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.

If you are not a resident of the country where you are submitting your application, you must show why you cannot apply in your country of residence.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must show a proof of property ownership or a rental contract in Cuba.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must be able to prove that you have social or economic ties to the country where you live. What you can use for this depends on your situation:

• If you are employed: a letter from your employer stating your job title and salary, the start date of your employment, and permission to take time off work.
• If you are self-employed: documents that prove you are self-employed and that you pay taxes.
• If you are a student: a letter from your educational institution or university with permission to take time off from your studies.

If none of the above situations apply to you, you can show that you have social or economic ties using, for instance:

• a document proving that you are a caregiver in your country of residence
• a document showing that your children attend school in your country of residence

Bring: original document and colour copy

If you have family ties to someone in the Netherlands, you must provide proof with a document legalized by the Cuban Foreign Ministry, such as a birth or marriage certificate.

Bring: original document and colour copy

You must provide a completed proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form. This form must be signed by the person who has invited you to the Netherlands and must be legalised by the Dutch municipality where that person is registered.  

• If you will be staying with the person who completed the sponsorship form and this person is sponsoring the costs of your stay, any medical care and, if necessary, repatriation, the answers to questions 3A and 3B on the sponsorship form should be ‘yes’.
• If the person who will pay the costs of your stay (subsistence costs) in the Netherlands is not the person with whom you will be staying, the person with whom you will be staying must provide a separate invitation or complete a separate sponsorship form.

Bring: colour copy of the document

• If you will be staying in a hotel or rental accommodation, you will need a hotel reservation or rental agreement for the entire duration of your trip.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You must show that you have enough funds for your stay in the Schengen area and your return to Cuba. This also applies if your stay is being paid for by a family member or friend.

If you are paying the costs yourself, you can show this with:

•  personal or family bank statements showing regular deposits and withdrawals over the past 6 months. You must be able to withdraw the money for your trip from this account.

• account statements for credit cards in your name

If your family member or friend in Cuba is paying the costs, you can show this with:

• bank statements of your family member of friend showing regular deposits and withdrawals over the past 6 months. You must be able to withdraw the money for your trip from this account.
• account statements for credit cards in the name of your family member of friend

If the person who has invited you will pay for all your costs, question 3B on the proof of sponsorship form must be filled out with "yes." You will need to bring three recent pay slips, a recent employment certificate, or a valid employment contract (valid for at least 12 months at the time of your visa application) from this person.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need a reservation in your name for your travel to and from the Schengen area, or another document showing your travel plans. You do not need a paid travel ticket.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need proof of travel medical insurance in your name.*

The document must state that:

• the insurance provides cover in all Schengen area countries for the entire duration of your stay.
• the insurance covers at least €30,000 in medical expenses. This includes the costs of a hospital stay and treatment, emergency care, prescription medication and repatriation to your country of residence (including in the event of death).

Find out what requirements your travel medical insurance must meet

*Holders of diplomatic passports are not required to show proof of travel medical insurance coverage.

Bring: colour copy of the document

You will need the Dutch identity card (ID card) or passport of the person who has invited you. If the person who has invited you does not have Dutch nationality, you will need their valid Dutch residence permit.

Bring: original document and colour copy

If you are applying for a visa for a child under 18, you will need a recent extract of the child’s birth certificate, legalized by the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

If the child will be travelling without 1 or both of their parents or guardians, you will need the following documents:

• A consent form less than 12 months old signed by the parents or guardians not travelling with the minor. If the parent travelling with the child can prove that he/she has sole parental responsibility, you do not need a consent form.

Bring: colour copy of the document

• a colour photocopy of a signed valid travel document (such as a passport) of the parents or guardians not travelling with the child
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has a valid Schengen visa: a colour photocopy of the biographical data page of their passport and of their valid Schengen visa. The biographical data page contains the passport holder’s details and photo
• if 1 of the parents or guardians has died: a photocopy of the death certificate of the deceased parent or guardian
• if a guardian has been appointed: a photocopy of official proof of guardianship
• if there is a court order in place: a photocopy of permission from the court for the minor to travel