A Schengen visa is required for non-Europeans to travel to the Schengen countries. While the Schengen visa has made Europe more accessible for non-Europeans, without proper application submission, your travel plans will not work out. A well-prepared application with consistent information and accurate documents can reduce the risk of visa refusals. Read further for more details on Schengen visa requirements for Indian citizens.
With a Schengen visa, non-European citizens can travel and stay for a short period (for up to 90 days within any 180-day period) across the Schengen Areas (29 Schengen member states in Europe) generally without routine internal border checks. The different purposes of the visa include the following:
It is very crucial to apply for the correct visa type, and applying under the wrong category can lead to visa rejection. For each visa type the documents needed are different, and the application process is also different.
1. Tourist Visa (Type C)
This visa is for travellers visiting the Schengen countries for holidays, or visiting friends or family.
2. Schengen Study Visa
This visa can be applied for by students who want to attend short-term training programs, academic courses, or exchange visits that are for a duration of less than 90 days.
3. Business Visa
This visa can be applied for by those who are travelling for matters related to work in Schengen countries. With this visa you can attend the meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or undertake official business visits.
4. Medical Visa
If you want to receive medical treatment in a Schengen country, then you can apply for this visa.
5. Transit Visa
This visa is for those who are passing through a Schengen airport while travelling to a non-Schengen country.
Let's check out the schengen visa application process.
1. Choose the Correct Embassy
The first step is to find the correct embassy. You can apply through the country where you are going to stay for the longest days, and if the stay period is equal, apply through the country that is your first point of entry. Applications for Schengen visa for Indians are mostly handled by VFS Global.
2. Document Preparation
Gather all the required documents in advance.
3. Appointment Booking
Schedule your appointment early at VFS. Book your appointment at least 4–6 weeks before travel.
4. Attend the Appointment and Provide Biometrics
Submit your application along with the documents and provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Biometrics are generally valid for 59 months, although embassies may request fresh biometrics in certain cases
6. Payment of Fees
The next step is to make the necessary visa and service fee payments.
7. Monitor Your Application Status
You can monitor the status of your application online. The processing time of the application is usually 15 days and can, during the busy seasons, extend up to 45 days.
Most of the common reasons for Schengen visa rejections are due to simple avoidable mistakes. Understanding the general mistakes and how to avoid them will help you in improving your chance of success.
Avoid these Schengen visa rejection mistakes:
All the documents are strictly checked by the embassies, and even small discrepancies in documents can create doubts during verification. Hence, always submit genuine documents, demonstrate stable financial capacity, provide a clear itinerary, and apply through the correct embassy.
Professional guidance can help applicants avoid documentation errors and improve application quality leading to strong success results.
Total estimated cost
The total estimated cost is around ₹15,000–₹16,000 per adult, after including the basic expenses of documents and travel expenses to the visa centre.
The visa fee is €90 for adults (above 12 years of age), €45 for children (aged between 6 and 11 years), and free for children under 6 years of age.
Depending on the country, the fee comes to approx. between ₹2,200 and ₹3,500.
For standard trip coverage, the travel insurance costs around ₹2,700 and ₹4,500.
Important note: Schengen visa fees India
You should note that the visa fees are not refundable, even if the visa is rejected. Hence, making sure that you submit a complete and accurate application is important.
Knowing the documents required and keeping them ready will help in making the whole application process smoother. Below is the Schengen visa documents checklist:
1. Schengen Visa Application Form
The application form must be completed according to the requirements of the relevant embassy or visa application centre
2. Valid Passport
Your passport has to be valid for at least 3 months after your return travel date, and it should have 2 blank pages.
3. Photos
Two recent passport-size photographs have to be submitted. The size of the photo should be 35x45 mm, and it should be with a white background.
4. Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance of at least €30,000 medical coverage should be taken.
5. Flight Details
Flight reservation or travel itinerary, as required by the embassy.
6. Accommodation Booking Details
You must give the proof of hotel bookings and confirmation of stays for the entire trip, as required by the embassy.
7. Financial Proof
Bank statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient funds must be provided.
8. Cover Letter
The cover letter must have brief explanation of your travel purpose and return intention to India.
9. Proof of Work/Study
As proof of work or study, you must submit documents such as an employment letter, business proof, or college enrollment document.
10. Proof of Tax
If applicable, you have to provide the records of income tax returns of the last 2–3 years.
The success of a Schengen visa application depends on accuracy, consistency, and proper documentation. The smallest mistake in your file can lead to visa rejection, as embassies strictly look into the financial proof, travel intent, and document accuracy. Each and every information given and document submitted influences the visa outcome. Also, Schengen visa fees are non-refundable. Professional support can help the applicants to avoid visa rejections and costly mistakes.
ImmiLaw Global provides professional Schengen visa assistance services in India. We are here to help the first-time applicants as well as those with complex profiles. We offer end-to-end Schengen visa assistance, and that includes the selection of the correct embassy, verification of all documents, and drafting of the cover letter and other documentation. Before submission the applications are thoroughly reviewed to avoid mistakes and to improve the chances of visa approvals.
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This visa can be applied for by you if you want to visit Schengen countries (29 Schengen member states in Europe) for a short stay for the purpose of tourism, business, study, or transit. The visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days within 180 days.
Yes, you have to give it unless you submitted it previously within the last 59 months.
The Schengen visa types are tourist, business, study (short-term), medical, and transit visas.
Processing usually takes around 15 calendar days, but may extend up to 45 days in individual cases or during peak travel periods
It is best to apply for the visa at least 4–6 weeks before your travel. This will give you enough time for application preparation and will help you to avoid errors and delays.
The visa fees are not refundable even if your application is rejected.
The cover letter should have the details of your travel purpose, itinerary, and intention to return to India.
There is no uniform Schengen-wide minimum balance requirement, but applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds according to the destination country’s guidelines and duration of stay.
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