Schengen Visa: Requirements, Fees, and Application Process

Planning a trip to Europe? Indian residents who obtain a Schengen visa gain easy travel to all 27 countries in the Schengen Zone while skipping border checks and repeated documentation. This detailed guide provides all necessary information for Indian applicants who need to obtain Schengen visas for tourist, Business and transit purposes, along with validity rules about the 90/180-day policy, application procedures, required documents and expert advice. The guide will show you how to fulfill embassy requirements as well as how to present proof of accommodation and travel insurance and financial documents to boost your visa approval odds. The process of obtaining your Schengen visa will become simpler after this. A comprehensive step-by-step tutorial awaits Indian explorers who want to traverse Europe with assurance

Before traveling to any of the Schengen countries, travelers have to apply for and get a visa from the embassy or consulate from which they want to enter as a primary destination or stay longer at. Generally, the application process calls for submitting required papers, attending an appointment or interview and awaiting your visa processing. It is advisable to obtain your visa in advance to ensure a smooth entry into the Schengen Area.

What are the different types of Schengen visit visas?

  • airport transit
  • transit through land or sea borders
  • visa offers single, double, or multiple entries for short-term stays
  • catering to various intents such as tourism, business, or family visits
  • National Visas (NV) are available for long-term stays such as study, work, or family reunification
  • Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV) are issued exceptionally when Schengen states hold jurisdiction over specific territories

What are the documents needed for a Schengen visa?

  • Original Passport with at least 6 months validity and minimum 3 blank pages + all old passports, if any
  • 2 recent colour photographs (Photo Specification);
  • Personal Covering letter (For Employed—Plain Paper/For Self-Employed—Company Letterhead);
  • Original updated Bank Statement (last 3/6 months)
  • Income Tax Returns/Form 16 for last 3 years
  • Flight ticket itinerary
  • Hotel reservation
  • Day-wise Itinerary
  • Marriage & birth certificates ( apply with family only)
  • Travel Insurance (minimum coverage of EUR 30000).

Employment Proof:

1. If Employed:

  • Original Leave sanctioned certificate with company seal and signature
  • Last 3 months salary slip.

2. If Self-Employed:

  • Business Registration License / MOA / Partnership Deed / GST certificate

What is the procedure for applying for a Schengen visiting visa?

Here are the steps to follow:

Gather Required Documents:

  • Passport: Make sure your passport is valid, less than 10 years old and still has at least 3 months of validity from the date you plan to go.
  • Photographs: Submit 2 recent photographs with a matte background, displaying the face size of 70-80% (35X45 mm).
  • Flight Bookings: Present a return ticket booking that has been made to and from the Schengen area.
  • Travel Itinerary: Create an extensive travel schedule including the activities, dates and accommodations in detail for your stay within the Schengen Area.
  • Accommodation: Include a letter from your host stating evidence of where you’ll be staying, e.g., hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings or an invitation letter.
  • Travel Insurance: Buy travel insurance for at least €30,000 that covers the whole Schengen period.
  • Financial Documents: Depending on your status:

    – For Employed: Upload your employment contract, leave sanction letter from your employer, and ITR documents.

    – For Self-Employed: Include a clear, readable copy of your business license. Additionally, provide company bank statements going back 6 months and the IT-201 Income Tax Return document.

    – For Students: Submit an enrollment proof along with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your college/university.

  • Proof of Legal Residence: In case of non-Indian citizens, submit proof of your lawful stay in India.
  • Additional Documents: You should submit additional documents based on the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, family reasons, etc.), i.e., an invitation letter, a marriage certificate and no-objection certificates.

Schedule an Appointment:

Please visit the embassy/consulate’s website to schedule an appointment for visa submission. Expect to pay the cost of the visa from India (which can depend on your country of origin and type of visa).

Attend the Visa Appointment:

  • Please come to the embassy/consulate on the date/time specified. Carry all the necessary documents in original and Xerox copies.
  • You may also need to give fingerprints and a photo at your appointment.

Await Visa Processing:

  • Visa processing times may vary, but you can usually expect to hear in

Schengen visa processing time from India

The average processing time for a Visa is approximately 15 working days. Take this time frame into consideration when you are planning your trip and visa application. Please ensure you apply for a visa online well in advance of your planned travel dates to allow sufficient processing time, especially during peak seasons.

Schengen Travel Visa Processing Time:
  • Processing time: 20-25 days
  • Stay period: Upto 3 months
  • Validity: 6 month
  • Entry: Single/Multiple

Benefits of Taking a Schengen Tourist Visa:

It offers several advantages due to the Schengen Area’s unique arrangement of 26 countries:

Multi-Country Travel: With a visa, you can visit several countries within the Schengen area with only one visa. This feature streamlines travel so you can see diverse cultures and landscapes all in one trip.

Time and Effort Savings: A visa for India residents simplifies the process by eliminating the need for separate visa applications and payments in each country you wish to visit. This method saves time and lessens the burden of administration for multiple visa applications.

Streamlined Passport Entry: Once you have a visa stamp in your passport, you can travel to all 26 Schengen countries. This advantage equals less time wasted on bureaucratic check-in processes and more time to enjoy your stay.

Checklist of Schengen Countries:

AustriaBelgium | Czech RepublicDenmarkEstonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | IcelandItaly | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Slovakia | Slovenia | SpainSweden | Switzerland | Croatia