I am filling out the application form for a Schengen visa and am a bit unsure how to answer q. 32:
Cost of travelling and living during the applicant’s stay is covered: by the applicant / by a sponsor.
I will pay for the tickets, hotels, and all living expenses using my credit card and will then be reimbursed by the company that is sending me to this trip (the reimbursement will be performed after returning from the trip). Does this count as "covered by the applicant" or "by a sponsor"?
This is the standard process for most of the trips sponsored by companies. You have to pay, either with a corporate credit card or a personal one. Company will reimburse based on expense claims. So, yes, your trip is sponsored by the company, even though you are paying at the moment.
Let me tell the rationale behind this. The country you are visiting just wants to know whether you are there on a legitimate purpose and will be going back at the end of the trip. For a business event with a reputed company, a certain level of legitimacy is already established. So, the immigration agents will allow you, even if your bank balance is not that great, as its sponsored by company.
Get a letter from your company saying that they are sponsoring the trip and attach it with the application.
So finally in my application I checked both boxes and indicated that I will use my credit card and that the company will reimburse the expenses. I recently got my visa so this approach seems to have worked out fine.
