Visa Document Checklist Builder
Select a visa from the searchable list below to generate a tailored document checklist. Tick items off as you gather them — progress is saved in your browser. Universal requirements (passport validity, passport photos, criminal records, apostilles, and certified translations) appear for every visa type.
Search and select a visa above to generate your document checklist.
Tips for gathering documents
- Start early. Criminal background checks from national authorities (FBI Identity History Summary, ACRO, etc.) take 6-14 weeks via standard routes. Request them as soon as you decide to apply.
- Validity windows. Most consulates require police certificates and civil-registry extracts issued within the prior 90-180 days. Apostille after obtaining, then translate — do not apostille months before you need the document or the consulate may reject it as out-of-window.
- Apostille before translating. The apostille authenticates the original document. The certified translation is then done from the apostilled original. Some destinations (Spain, Italy, Greece) further require the translation itself to be apostilled.
- Criminal records from every country. Most long-stay visas require police certificates from each country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 5 years — not just your current country of residence.
- Scan everything. Keep digital copies at every stage: before apostille, after apostille, after certified translation. Consulates occasionally lose documents in a batch, and having scans prevents a full restart.
See also: Apostille checklist generator · Visa timeline planner · Visa total cost calculator.