CONTEXT

I am a South African currently with a 6-month UK residence permit from October 2016 to April 2017. This forum helped me immensely with regards to being able to even get a Schengen visa with less than 6 months left on my residence permit.

I was directed to section 2.8 of the Visa Handbook which states:

However, an application may be accepted from a person legally present – but not residing – in the jurisdiction of the consulate where the application is submitted, if he can justify why the application could not be lodged at a consulate in his place of residence. It is for the consulate to appreciate whether the justification presented by the applicant is acceptable.

“Non-residing applicant” means an applicant who resides elsewhere but is legally present within the jurisdiction of the consulate where he submits the application.

On this basis, I was able to apply and receive two multiple-entry Schengen visas (one business, one family visit) since November 2017 with fewer than 6 months.

QUESTION

Does the section above still apply for a Schengen business visa in the UK with less than 3 months left of my UK residence permit?

What are the best practices (documents, statements etc.) to support my application, considering that travelling will be essential for my job in the next month or so?