The countries in Western Europe that form the Schengen Area are very strict in giving visas to people who want to come and visit as a tourist , to see family or to do business. And for a good reason because in the past there were a lot who overstayed as an illegal alien and thus ignored the laws of those countries.
How can you successfully convince the visa authorities that you however will return on time?
You do that by showing economical and social ties to your home country that will make it more then obvious that you will return.
Economical ties are:
1) Ownership of a house, land or other property; (provide paperwork)
2) A bank account with money on it; (print out a year)
3) A job (labour contract, salary slips and if you are working abroad like in the Gulf a letter of your boss he will keep you on)
4) If you have your own business things as tax returns, registration at the Chamber of Commerce, website, bookkeeping.
5) etc.
You more or less have to prove that you would be an idiot to go and sell roses as an illegal while you have a good life in your own country.
Social ties are:
1) You have a family (documentations)
2) You take care for an ill person
3) Your widowed mum lives with you etc.
4) You work in the Gulf and your parents are on your residence permit there etc.
Make sure you have some paperwork to prove things like doctors letters, family books etc.
5)
When you apply for a visa write a SHORT cover letter and explain what your social and economical ties are and which documentation you have added. If VFS or the embassy say it is not necessary insist it is added.
Keep a copy of your application!
How to show the family proof? I mean which documents to attached to show you have family in your home country, specially when you are single?