How to link family applications for group visa submissions

How to link family applications for group visa submissions

What is a group visa submission?

A group visa submission allows family members or travel companions to submit their individual visa applications under one shared reference or itinerary. This helps keep the process streamlined, especially when multiple people are traveling together.

Linking family visa applications has several benefits:

  • Ensures all members are processed together

  • Allows for shared documentation (e.g., accommodation, itinerary)

  • Simplifies appointment scheduling at embassies or visa centers

  • Helps ensure travel plans stay coordinated, especially with children or dependents

You can usually link visa applications for:

  • Immediate family members (spouse, children, parents)

  • Extended family traveling together (e.g., siblings, grandparents)

  • Domestic helpers accompanying a family (in some countries)

Each country has different rules about who qualifies under a group application, so it’s important to review the destination country’s specific guidelines.

  1. Choose a primary applicant
    Begin with one adult as the main applicant. This person’s application will serve as the reference point for linking other applications.

  2. Create individual applications
    Fill out a separate visa form for each family member, ensuring accuracy in names, dates of birth, passport numbers, and travel dates.

  3. Look for “add family member” or “group application” options
    Many online visa platforms include features that allow adding family members during the same session. Use these to keep all applications under a single reference or group ID.

  4. Use the same travel details
    Make sure all applications reflect the same flight itinerary, travel dates, and accommodation information to show that it’s a shared trip.

  5. Upload shared and individual documents
    Shared documents like hotel bookings, flight tickets, or invitation letters should be uploaded to all applications. Individual documents such as passports and photos must still be uploaded separately.

  6. Include a group cover letter (if allowed)
    Write a brief cover letter explaining the relationship between the applicants and the reason for traveling as a group. This is helpful even when not mandatory.

  7. Reference the primary applicant where needed
    In cases where there is no formal linking feature, manually refer to the primary applicant’s name, passport number, and application ID in the additional family members' forms.

Supporting documents often required

  • Marriage certificate (for spouses)

  • Birth certificates (for children)

  • Travel itinerary and return tickets

  • Proof of accommodation

  • Family group photo (optional but sometimes useful)

  • Cover letter explaining group travel

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Not indicating family connections clearly in the application

  • Using different travel dates across forms

  • Forgetting to upload relationship proof documents

  • Booking separate visa appointments when a group slot was available

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