Visa application checklist
How to prepare an application: the exact visa type, official requirements, the appointment, a collection schedule, matching dates, the form, funds and copies.

[ ] Determine the exact visa type
    Tourist, visitor, work, transit, study. The type determines the whole document set and the processing time.
[ ] Take the requirements from the official source
    The consulate's or visa centre's site for your category and your application location. Forums and summaries go stale fastest.
[ ] Check the passport validity and free pages
    A margin after your return date and blank pages are often required. Replacing a passport takes weeks.
[ ] Book the appointment as early as possible
    The slot often decides the trip dates rather than the reverse. In season they open months ahead.
[ ] Plan the collection schedule around expiry dates
    Some certificates are valid for weeks only. Getting them too early is as bad as too late.
[ ] Get the photo exactly to specification
    Size, background, pose, glasses, head covering, how recent. The most common trivial reason a set is returned.
[ ] Fill in the form carefully and keep the draft
    A mismatch between form and documents raises more questions than an inconvenient fact. The draft helps next time.
[ ] Align the dates across bookings, insurance and the form
    Mismatched dates are among the most common causes of refusal. Check everything against one calendar.
[ ] Prepare evidence of funds
    The consulate defines the format and amounts. Get statements in the required form and within the window.
[ ] Gather evidence of the purpose of travel
    Bookings, an invitation, an itinerary, work or study documents. The point is showing the trip is real and you will return.
[ ] Take out insurance that meets the requirements
    Cover amount, territory, dates. A generic policy often fails the formal requirements.
[ ] Prepare children's documents separately
    Certificates, consents, documents for the accompanying adult. Requirements for minors are almost always stricter.
[ ] Copy the entire set
    On paper and digitally. Needed for the next application, for lost documents and for questions at the border.
[ ] Know what to do if refused
    Find out the reason if given, fix it and reapply. A flawed set is fixable; working around the rules is not.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/visa-application