Proving your financial stability if you are a freelancer

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How accepting is the Schengen visa schemes of digital transactions? I can provide a photocopy of the same card I use, and I can even show the physical master card to them, which has my name embedded and matching card numbers. I have submitted the same documents to other embassies and had no problems. Will I have problems with Schengen?

I am curious to know what do you think you are trying to achieve by showing this card number? Spending doesn't show income and more specifically a credit card is not proof of income or funds, it is a liability on you. The only reason some embassies would entertain that is because generally in order to obtain a credit card you have to pass income checks. In my opinion it doesn't have bearing on your ability to support yourself in the country.

The good thing about your application:

  1. You are being financially sponsored by the organization.
  2. You have previous international travel on your passport.
  3. You have a formal invitation letter.
  4. You are showing income (this only goes to show that you are financially able to support yourself). The digital mastercard stuff, screenshots doesn't matter. I recommend you don't even include them in your application's supporting documents. All you would need a statement of account from your bank (on your bank's letter head) which shows steady income and your current financial standing.

Make sure the following about your additional supporting documents:

  1. Hotel reservation (if not part of your sponsorship from the organization). You should show a booking that shows clearly your name (as it appears on your passport), the check-in and check-out dates should be concurrent with your conference dates.

  2. Flight reservation (a ticket is not required). It should show your outbound and inbound flights.

  3. "Proof of ties" - this is where you have a few question marks; but your international travel should alleviate some of this.

The rest is up to how you answer the questions at the interview; however in my experience as having applied to many a consulate you are certainly above the norm (as a matter of risk).

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