Retired or Senior Citizen- What Requirements Do You Need To Show on Your Visa Application?

Are you in your 60s and you want to travel? Do you want to have that long-awaited vacation after working relentlessly for years? Do you want to travel with someone who is retired? Are your parents retired, and you want to treat them on holiday?

As a child, I love treating my mom and grandmother on a vacation, hopefully once a year. We went to Thailand a few months ago, and it was a blast. My grandmother was delighted and enjoying, and that made my heart full. I hope if you are a daughter or a grandchild, you’ll be able to feel what I felt when traveling with your loved ones.

Retired or Senior Citizen Guide in Getting a Visa.jpg

Age doesn’t matter when traveling, even if you are in your 60s; you can move all you want. What’s the best part? No more filing of leave or asking your boss that you’re going on a vacation. Another good part? Discounts, big discounts on food, attractions, shopping, and transportations. The not so best part? If the country you are applying for requires a visa.

Retired or Senior Citizen Guide in Getting a Visa1.jpg

If you are a retired or senior citizen or plan to travel with a retired or SC person, then this guide will certainly help you in getting a visa. Here are useful tips for retried or senior citizen guide in getting a visa.

Submit your Proof of Retirement

A standard visa requirement is proof of employment but since you are already retired from your job – you can submit a proof of retirement instead of this.

For those who are considered Senior Citizens, you may pass an ID stating that you have “dual” citizenship, a Citizenship in your country and a Senior Citizenship. (For Filipinos, we have called it a Senior Citizen ID. You may pass this one as it is a definite proof as the government recognizes you as one.)
If you are not yet of age to be called a Senior Citizen, then submit a copy of your Certificate of Separation given by your previous employer. This must show your employment details and benefits afterward.

Sometimes this will be needed to get your Pension, so if you still have a copy; submit it. However, if you have lost it, then proof of pension will suffice.

Show Proof of Financial Capacity

Since it’s a big possibility that you are not earning anymore, your pension will serve as your income.

You may pass a Pension Benefit Verification Letter, a Pension Validation, or Bank Statements of the account where your Pension is deposited.

If you have another account, besides where your pension is deposited, you can also submit it. It will be a bank statement, bank certificates, or passbook that can prove you can afford your trip or vacation.

Show Other Sources of Income

If you have other sources of income, like renting your place, a part-time job or a running business, then you can add it for additional proof. For example, you are renting a part of your house; you can submit a Contract of Lease.

If you have part-time jobs, then maybe a payslip or if a business, attach a business permit and tax returns.

Get a Sponsor

If you think your money is not enough, get a sponsor.

It could be your employed husband/wife, children, younger siblings, or a relative who is going to support your trip financially. If you have a sponsor, then you may need a guarantee letter or a notarized “Affidavit of Support.” Make sure your sponsor has a bank account since instead of yours, you will be submitting your sponsor’s Bank Certificate or Bank Statement and other proof of financial capacity (Business Certificates or Employment Certificates).

If you are getting sponsored, submit proof of relationship too if they are your children or relatives; Birth Certificates or Marriage Certificates.

Show Proof of Property Ownership

You can submit copies of properties you own; as this can serve as an asset and also the embassy can see you have deep roots in your country. You may show Land Titles, Condominium Unit Titles, Investment on Stocks, or Car Registration.

Showing property ownership can’t only help you in proving your financial capacity but also your ties to the country. You can read here about 7 Ways On How You Can Prove Deep Rootedness or Deep Ties In Your Country. One thing the embassy is afraid of, especially if you are visiting your relatives outside of the country, is that you will stay there for long (it’s okay) but then not coming back (not okay).

Make a Cover Letter

A Cover letter or a Letter of explanation may help you in your Visa Application. You can place in that letter your explanation as to why your requirements are lacking; you can explain to them that you are recently retired and would like to have a vacation to unwind.

Make sure your cover letter is in English and grammatically correct and the message you want the embassy will be conveyed. If they get the point, it may give you a chance to get approved, however, if they get confused they may deny you a visa. If you need help, Jonathan offers a Cover Letter Writing Service which you can use for several Visa Applications (you just have to edit it).

Generally, the embassy is lax on Retired or Senior Citizens especially if they are vacationing with their partner or children since it’s a “reward for their hard work”.

The rejection rate for retired persons is low, so don’t stress it too much but don’t be too optimistic also. I hope this guide will help you with your visa application.

If you need a little more help, just let me know! I can personally train you for interview questions and go through your requirements one by one. We’ll both work hard for you to get that visa of your dreams! Set an appointment now :)

Retired or Senior Citizen Guide in Getting a Visa.jpeg

Remember, traveling is for all people. Be it young or old. If you want to visit a country, don’t cower down if there are visa applications. It’s a hurdle you can definitely conquer. Dream all you want, travel all you want if that makes you happy. Enjoy your retirement and happy travels!