No objection letter - cannot provide this?

Member since 04 June 2023

jb_11216Member04 June 2023 21:26:54

Hi there. My spouse and I are looking to holiday in Spain. I'm a UK national and she is a Chinese national so needs a visa. We have been researching visa requirements and one thing that has cropped up is that a no objection letter is required. My wife is self employed as a piano teacher and as such we don't have any way of meeting the stipulated requirement which is as far as we can see:

For self-employed workers: copy of trade license, accountant letter and last year proof of

paying taxes.

We have the following issues with this:

She doesn't need a trade license to be a piano teacher
Her turnover is low enough and business expenses almost non-existent so she doesn't use an accountant to file her tax returns

Additionally, she won't be paying for the holiday, I will - can I use my own bank statements to meet the financial requirements?

Hope this is clear enough - but really appreciate any help any of you may be able to give us. Many thanks!

gwynj Bulgaria Expert

Member since 30 June 2020

gwynjBulgaria Expert05 June 2023 08:32:18

2405

@jb_11216

Welcome to the expat.com forum and good luck with your sunshine holiday in Spain!

I'm not even sure you need a "no objection" letter.

Spain's in the Schengen zone, so I would apply for a Schengen Visa. The official info is here:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-Schengen.aspx

The main requirements (1-5) are pretty easy: application form, photo, passport, travel insurance, visa fee.

In addition, there is this requirement:

"6. Documents corroborating the purpose of travel and the specifics of the stay, that the visa applicant has sufficient financial means, as well as the intention of the visa applicant to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires."

This is very general, which allows considerable scope. It doesn't mention accounts or employer no objection letters. I'd suggest a good starting place is the flight and hotel bookings which shows what the trip is for, and how long it lasts. If she's married to you, a Brit, then you can include copies of marriage certificate, your British passport, and maybe she already has some kind of UK residence card. You can write a letter in support of her application indicating all relevant information.

It seems pretty straightforward to me, I doubt it will be as difficult as you think.