EUROPE
What is Schengen visa?
Schengen is a zone in the European Union, constituted of the 26 countries that follow a common visa policy. All in union, they have officially diluted the use of passports within themselves. Schengen is known as the world’s largest visa free zone for countries which form a part of it.
The Schengen region welcomes all locals as well as visitors from across the globe. Although there are select countries who are allowed to travel without a visa to any of the Schengen countries, India does not fall under this category.
Is Schengen visa available on arrival?
No, Schengen visa on arrival option is not available for Indian Citizens.
All Indian passport holders are required to apply for a Schengen visa in case they wish to travel to one or more of the 26 Schengen countries, for work, transit, travel and other purposes.
Indians can get a Schengen visa for up to 90 days of stay, which is valid for 6 months. For the Schengen Visa, you may need a Multiple Entry visa if you’re looking to travel to more than one country in one trip.
Documents required for a Schengen Visa from India?
If you want to visit only one of the Schengen countries, then you will have to apply for a visa for that particular country only. But in case you plan to visit more than one of the Schengen countries, then apply for a Schengen visa and state the country which will be your primary destination.
- Invitation from the host with one or more supporting documents for accommodation.
- Visa Application form duly filled and signed by all applicants traveling.
- 2 recent passport size photographs taken within the last 3 months. Each photo should be of 35X45 mm with matte background. It should display 70-80% of your face.
- Passport which is not older than 10 years and has a minimum validity of 3 months.
- Flight tickets for each country both to and from.
- Complete travel itinerary.
- Proof of accommodation for hotels/Airbnb’s where you plan to stay.
- Travel or Health Insurance that gives you medical coverage of up to €30,000
- Proof of financial means like bank statement for the last 3 months. If you have a sponsor, then the financially sponsoring letter.
Proof of status whether an employee/student/self-employed.
a. For employed, then you should submit an employment contract, leave permission, Income Tax Return.
b. For Self-Employed, a copy of your business license, the company’s bank statement for the last 6 months, Income Tax Return.
c. For Students, proof of enrolment and NOC from university or college.
For minors, a letter signed by the guardians will suffice.
How to apply for a Schengen Visa from India?
The process to apply for a Schengen Visa is simple. You may proceed as:
- Browse the website of Schengen Embassy for visa application form. Download the form.
- Complete the details in the form and submit it after signing it.
- Collect all the documents needed for the visa. Submit them along with the visa application form at the visa centre.
- a. If you are visiting just one country, then the visa will be applied to the Embassy/Consulate of that country.
- b. If you are visiting more than one country, then submit the visa at the centre of the country where the stay will be for more days. And if, the stay for the number of days is same in 2 countries then submit the visa application at the country you will travel first.
- Schedule an appointment for the visa processing.
- Attend the interview and collect your passport.
Schengen Visa Processing time?
It will take 15 working days to process the Schengen visa. So, keep this in mind before you apply for your visa.
Benefits of Taking Schengen Visa
Schengen is a group of 26 countries and acquiring this visa has its own benefits:
- It will allow tourists to travel to multiple countries with just one visa.
- It saves time and effort to acquire and pay for separate visas for each country.
- You just need a single stamp on your passport and hence less time spent on the bureaucratic processes.
Yes, those who are applying for a Schengen Visa must have travel insurance cover mandatorily.
While the Schengen zone does have provisions for Visas on arrival, Indian passport holders cannot avail them.
When travelling within the Zone on a Schengen Visa, no one needs a separate Visa. The Zone acts as a single and undivided union.
Yes, minors can avail a Schengen Visa provided they have the written and express consent of their parents and legal guardians.
No, they do not. They are all part of the Zone and have to abide by the rules.