Visitors to the Schengen Area, which broadly includes the same countries as make up the European Union, who are not citizens of EU countries or nationals of certain listed countries that have a reciprocal visa-exemption policy with the European Union, will require a Schengen Visa to do so. There are a number of types of Schengen Visa to choose from, and intending visitors should ensure they have obtained the visa form that best fits the main purpose of the visit.
In the vast majority of cases, this will be a standard Tourist Visa, but there will also be a number of visitors who wish to enter the Schengen Area to partake in short study courses. As is the case with all Schengen Visa applications, supporting documentation is needed to complete the application process successfully.
The usual documentation required will include recent bank statements, proof of employment, travel health insurance, and details of recent visas issued, but these are far from being the only documents that may be requested. One such document is called a Letter of No Objection, and this is usually required from applicants who are enrolled in a short study course at a college or university. Sometimes also called a Statement of No Objection or No Objection Certificate, this document can also be requested from other visitors to the Schengen Area but primarily pertains to visiting students and serves a specific purpose.
What is a No Objection Letter?
A No Objection Letter or Certificate is a written affirmation that the holder has obligations in the country of origin and is entering the Schengen Area for valid reasons. The certificate from an educational establishment (or employer) affirms that the student (or employee) will leave the Schengen Area at the specified time and is highly unlikely to remain illegally within the jurisdiction.
The No Objection refers to the employer or school supplying the letter. It means that there is no objection to the student or employee being granted a Schengen Visa or being in the country concerned for the relevant period of time as they are confident of a prompt return at the end of the stay.
Although the certificate cannot fully guarantee that the holder will abide by the visa rules, it is at least a measure of reassurance for the issuing officials that this will be the case.
Obtaining a No Objection Certificate
Obtaining a No Objection Certificate should simply ask an employer or the school or university authorities for one. The reason for the visit to the Schengen Area should be detailed, and assuming there is no objection to the trip, securing the required letter should be a mere formality.
There are two types of No Objection Certificates, and which one will be required depends on the main purpose for entering the Schengen Area. The two categories are for:
- Employees
- Students
Employees: The letter should be supplied by the applicant’s employer or company manager. The letter should confirm that the applicant has permission to be absent for the duration of the visa and has sufficient personal finances to fund the trip. The employer should also attest that the company is confident the applicant will return to work at the end of the trip.
Students: The head of the school, college or university (or someone in a suitable position of authority) should supply a No Objection Certificate for students travelling to the Schengen Area for study purposes. The letter should confirm the student’s current position and express confidence in the student’s return at the end of the course being undertaken. Any details regarding how the course will be paid for, and the student’s financial situation regarding expenses should also be included.
A No Objection Letter should be concise and to the point, only including details and information pertinent to the visit. The consular authorities are only concerned with the likelihood of an applicant overstaying the visa and information regarding funding and expenses while in the Schengen Area.
Simple Template
There is no need for a lengthy and verbose letter attesting to the visa applicant’s honesty and trustworthiness. A simple template containing the basic information regarding the applicant’s visit is sufficient and precisely what the consular officials require.
The letter should be neatly and logically laid out and contain the:
- Date the letter was written
- Address of the embassy, consulate or visa application centre applied to
- Applicant’s name and address
- Contact details for the person supplying the letter
- Name of business, company or educational establishment approving the applicant’s absence
Most importantly, the letter must include a short paragraph stating the writer is confident the applicant intends to return at the time stated and there is No Objection to issuing a Schengen Visa for the purpose requested and for the dates outlined.
Requested or Mandatory?
Most Schengen countries require applicants for a Study Visa to supply a No Objection Certificate when submitting their application. This is done to check the veracity of the application and reduce the risk of granting a visa to people who merely state they are enrolled in a study course in the Schengen Area.
Consular officials can contact the signatory of the No Objection Certificate should there be any suspicion regarding the application. Of course, this kind of background check cannot be carried out in every case, but it does provide an added layer of security against fraudulent visa applications.
Although students (and occasionally others) may be asked for a No Objection Certificate, this is not mandatory as some applicants may simply be unable to obtain the required letter for a number of reasons. Those applying for a Study Visa who are unable to obtain the requested No Objection Certificate should include a brief letter outlining why this is not possible.
Failing to provide a requested No Objection Letter does not mean the visa application will be automatically denied, but failing to produce the document without a reasonable explanation will certainly not help secure a successful outcome.
One of Many Documents
Completing the Schengen Visa application form is just the first step, but the most important one is the follow-up personal interview. It is here that consular officials can assess an applicant personally and draw conclusions as to whether the person should or should not be granted a visa.
The interview is where an applicant must produce any requested supporting documents, including the letter of No Objection in the case of students. However, if a No Objection Certificate is unobtainable (for valid reasons), it is a relatively minor matter, as other supporting documentation is far more important.
The interviewer is primarily concerned with whether or not the applicant poses a criminal or terrorist risk to the Schengen Area and if he or she will abide by the terms of the visa.
Documentation proving proof of sufficient funding and adequate travel health insurance is of more value than a Letter of No Objection. Although this document is handy to have it is only one one of many and by no means the end of the world if one cannot be obtained although a reasonable explanation for its absence may be required by the consular authorities.
