Indians are always known to be enthusiastic travellers, and visiting Europe with your loved ones is always exciting. But it can be a problem if you do not have the right visa to travel to the Schengen country of your dreams. To do this, you need to apply for a valid Schengen visa. It helps you to travel between 29 European countries, and based on the types, your stay period varies accordingly.
Please read this blog until the end to learn more about how to apply for a Schengen visa from India.
What are the Steps to Apply for a Schengen Visa from India?
Application for a Schengen visa is simple and you need to follow the steps discussed below to avoid any hassle carefully:
● Step 1: Determine Your Schengen Visa Type
Schengen visa for Indians can essentially be categorised into different types based on the nature of the stay and the purpose of the visit. Here are a few Schengen visa types for Indian travellers that are commonly applied:
- Short-Stay Visa (Type C) – Maximum allowed stay is 90 days within a 180-day period, and most suitable for tourists, business or visiting relatives/friends.
- Airport Transit Visa (Type A) – This type of visa is required when you need to transit from one country to another via Schengen zone airports.
- Long Stay Visa (Type D) – You can get this visa if you want to spend more than 90 consecutive days in the Schengen Area for purposes, like education, work or joining a family member.
● Step 2: Determine the Appropriate Embassy or Consulate
When applying for the Schengen visa, you need to apply at the embassy of the country where you plan to spend most of your time. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries for a similar duration, apply at the country’s embassy you want to visit primarily.
● Step 3: Schedule an Appointment
Book an appointment with the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre (VAC) of your destination country, once you complete the application process. This can usually be done online through the website of the respective consulate.
● Step 4: Gather Required Documents
The Schengen visa application requires a set of documents to confirm your eligibility and travel plans. Here is a checklist of a few essential documents:
- Completed Visa Application Form: The Schengen visa application form requires all the necessary information to be filled out accurately.
- Passport: You must have a valid passport for at least 3 months with two blank pages.
- Two Passport-Sized Photos: The current passport photographs that have been taken with a light background, 35×45 mm in size, and not older than six months.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance for Schengen visas is mandatory and has to be at least €30,000 per individual for medical emergencies, accidents and repatriation.
- Proof of Accommodation: Proof of accommodation which may include a hotel booking or an invitation letter from the host is necessary.
- Travel Itinerary and Flight Reservation: A document that shows your entire travel plan as well as the flight tickets.
- Proof of Financial Means: You have to provide evidence for adequate funds for the duration of your stay in the country. This includes bank statements of the last six months or any other proof of income.
- Cover Letter: A cover letter may be needed for your travel, your travel plan and any other information, especially if you are travelling for work.
● Step 5: Attend the Visa Appointment
On the date of your appointment, carry all documents to the embassy, consulate or visa application centre. In addition to several typically asked questions, the visa officer may inquire about the purpose of the visit, the duration of the visit, or previous travel history. Also, you will need to provide a clear answer and offer additional information if the employer requests.
● Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
The fee for applying for a Schengen visa is €90 for an adult and €45 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Moreover, you need to have adequate money in the right mode of payment (cash, credit/ debit card or bank draft) as a processing fee.
● Step 7: Wait for Processing
Embassy or consulate processing times may differ based on the destination country and the different types of visas. However, on average, the processing takes between 15 to 45 working days. During the peak travel season, you can also face a waiting time of up to 60 days.
● Step 8: Collect Your Passport
After the embassy, consulate, or visa processing office issues your visa, you will receive a notification letter. If the authority turns down your application, you will receive a written statement detailing the reasons for rejection. You have the right to reapply or appeal.
Key Tips for a Successful Schengen Visa Application
You can follow some useful tips while vacationing in the Schengen region:
● Apply Early
It is advisable to submit your application at least 90 days before your travel date. This is because the application may take some time to be processed.
● Provide Accurate Information
You need to fill up the visa application form. In case you do not fill out the form completely or make mistakes, you can face visa rejection. Furthermore, your visa approval process can also slow down if there is inaccurate information in the application form.
● Secure Travel Insurance
You need to make sure that your travel insurance fully complies with the Schengen zone requirements for the entire period of stay.
● Avoid Confirmed Bookings
The majority of ambassadors recommend not taking confirmed flight or hotel reservations until you get the visa. Also, most travel agencies offer provisional bookings that are changeable or cancellable. They also offer a full refund if your travel schedule has changed.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, a Schengen visa for Indians requires planning, preparing documents, and completing different formalities. You need to follow each step in the process of obtaining the visa. With those guidelines and inputs of right and true information, an Indian traveller can enjoy Europe. So, make sure that you follow these steps carefully to get a Schengen visa without any delay.
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