Are you planning a trip to Europe and unsure how to write a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for your Schengen visa? Don’t worry, because you're not alone! After helping with thousands of Schengen visa applications over the years, we understand just how important a well-written NOC letter can be.

In 2023, Schengen countries rejected around 1.6 million visa applications, about 16% of all applications submitted. One of the key reasons for these rejections was the absence of a proper No Objection Certificate (NOC) letter.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need about the NOC letter for Schengen visa. We’ll also share ready-to-use samples to make the process easier and help you feel confident and stress-free when submitting your visa application.

You can now easily apply for your Schengen visa with Atlys in just a few clicks.

Why is the No Objection Certificate required for a Schengen visa?

When applying for a Schengen visa, you must include a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or a Leave Approval Letter. This official document confirms that your employer, school principal, or university is aware of your travel plans and grants you leave for a specific period. You are expected to return once your trip is over.

Embassies and consulates request an NOC to verify your connection to your home country and to ensure that you have valid reasons to return after your trip. This letter helps demonstrate your intention to come back, addressing concerns about potential overstays.

The purpose of this letter is to show that you have responsibilities or commitments back home, such as a job or studies, and that you’re only traveling temporarily. The letter typically includes details like:

• Your full name and passport number

• Your role at work or your course at school/university

• The reason for your travel (such as tourism, visiting family, attending an event, etc.)

• The exact dates you’ll be on leave

• A statement confirming that you are expected to return and resume your job or studies after the trip

How to write a No Objection Certificate for Schengen Visa?

When you apply for a Schengen visa, you’ll need a No Objection Letter (NOC) written by someone authorised, such as your employer (HR manager or supervisor) or a school/university official (such as the principal, dean, registrar, or head of department). This letter should be addressed directly to the Embassy or Consulate responsible for processing your visa application.

Depending on your situation:

1. If you're employed:

The letter should also include your job title, the name of your employer, your salary (proving your financial stability), and how long you’ve been working in the company.

1. If you're a student:

It should mention your department, current study year, expected graduation date, and other important information about your course.

In short, this letter shows the embassy that you have strong ties back home and fully intend to return once your trip is over.

Here’s what the letter should include:

Step 1: Add the date, recipient address (embassy or consulate) and subject line.

• Date of issuance – The day the letter is written.

• Address of Recipient – It should be addressed to the right Embassy or Consulate (for example, “To the Embassy of Austria”).

• Subject line – Clearly state that the letter is a “No Objection Letter” or “No Objection Certificate.”

[Date]

To: [Embassy/Consulate Name with Address]

Subject: No Objection Certificate For [Your Name] Traveling to [Destination]

Step 2: Main letter including your name, passport number, purpose of visit, employment/ course details, and return confirmation.

• Your full name and passport number – This identifies you clearly.

• Purpose of travel – The letter should mention why you’re traveling (reason for the visit, like tourism or visiting family) and your destination within the Schengen Area (e.g., Austria).

• Leave details – The exact dates you’ll be away from work or school.

• Confirmation of return – A clear statement that you’re expected back on a specific date.

Dear Sir/Madam,

This letter serves to confirm that [Mr./Ms./Mrs. Full Name], holder of passport number [Passport Number], is currently employed at [Company Name] as a [Position/Job Title], having joined the organisation on [Date of Joining].

He/She receives a monthly salary of [Salary Amount]. The employee has been granted leave from [Start Date] to [End Date] for personal travel to [Destination Country]. We have no objection to this travel during the approved leave period.

Furthermore, we confirm that he/she is expected to return to work on [Date of Resumption] and continues to be employed with our company.

Please contact us at [Contact Information] if you need further details or verification.

Step 3: Stamp and signature from the authorities (HR department or manager/ School or University authorities)

• Signature and stamp – The letter must have the original signature and official stamp of the person writing it.

Kind regards,

[Authorized Person’s Full Name]

[Designation]

[Company Name]

[Signature and Company Stamp]

No Objection Letter Schengen Visa Samples (with PDFs)

Here are the sample templates for NOC from the employer and school/university for Schengen visa application.

Sample 1: No Objection Letter From Employer for Schengen Visa

[Date]

To: [Embassy/Consulate Name with Address]

Subject: No Objection Certificate For [Your Name] Traveling to [Destination]

Dear Sir/Madam,

This letter serves to confirm that [Mr./Ms./Mrs. Full Name], holder of passport number [Passport Number], is currently employed at [Company Name] as a [Position/Job Title], having joined the organisation on [Date of Joining].

He/She receives a monthly salary of [Salary Amount]. The employee has been granted leave from [Start Date] to [End Date] for personal travel to [Destination Country]. We have no objection to this travel during the approved leave period.

Furthermore, we confirm that he/she is expected to return to work on [Date of Resumption] and continues to be employed with our company.

If you need further details or verification, please contact us at [Contact Information].

Kind regards,

[Authorized Person’s Full Name]

[Designation]

[Company Name]

[Signature and Company Stamp]

Download the sample NOC from employer, here (PDF)

Sample 2: No Objection Letter from School (or University) for Schengen Visa

[Date]

To: [Embassy/Consulate Name with Address]

Subject: No Objection Certificate For [Name] Traveling to [Name]

Dear Sir/Madam,

This letter is to confirm that [Mr./Ms./Mrs. Full Name], bearing passport number [Passport Number], is a registered student at [School/College/University Name]. He/She is currently pursuing the [Program Name] and has been enrolled with us since [Enrollment Date].

We hereby state that we have no objection to [Mr./Ms./Mrs. Full Name] traveling to [Destination Country] for [Reason for Travel, e.g., tourism, family visit, attending a conference, etc.]. Leave has been officially granted from [Start Date] to [End Date], and the student is expected to resume academic activities on [Date of Resumption].

If you need any additional information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at [Contact Information].

Sincerely,

[Authorized Person’s Full Name]

[Designation, e.g., Dean/Registrar]

[University/College Name]

[Signature and Official Stamp]

Download the sample NOC from school/ college/ university, here (PDF)

What are the mistakes that I should avoid in the NOC for Schengen Visa? [Tips to remember]

When you’re putting together your No Objection Letter, it’s important to get it right. Mistakes can cause delays or even hurt your chances of getting a visa. Here are some common errors you should watch out for:

• Mistake 1: Leaving out important details – Include your full name, passport number, job title, the reason for the letter, when you started your job or studies, and the dates you’ll be away. Missing any important information can raise doubts about your application.

• Mistake 2: Wrong or mismatched dates – Double-check that all the dates in your letter (like the issue date, your travel dates, and employment or school dates) are correct and make sense.

• Mistake 3: False or incorrect info – Never include anything that isn’t true, whether it’s about your job, studies, or travel. It can lead to your visa being rejected and may even have legal consequences.

• Mistake 4: Missing signature – If someone at your workplace or school needs to sign the letter, make sure they sign it. Without a proper signature, the letter may not be accepted.

• Mistake 5: Not proofreading – Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or sloppy formatting can make the letter look unprofessional. Always proofread before submitting.

• Mistake 6: Adding a casual tone – This is an official letter, so keep the tone formal and respectful. Avoid using casual or informal language.

Getting everything right in your NOC letter will help your Schengen visa application go more smoothly.