A detailed guide on Schengen Visa for Indians

What is Schengen Visa?

Schengen is a European Union zone made up of 26 nations that all have the same visa policy. They have formally diluted the usage of passports within themselves by banding together. For nations that are a member of it, Schengen is renowned as the world’s largest visa-free zone.

The Schengen Area welcomes both natives and visitors from all around the world. Although certain countries are able to travel to any Schengen country without a visa, India is not one of them.

So, are you the one looking for how to get a Schengen Visa from India? Well, we have got you covered. As in this article, we are going to discuss how to get a Schengen Visa from India and what are the things you need to know before applying for Schengen Visa.

List of countries included in the Schengen area

The biggest Schengen region consists of 26 nations. Out of these 26 countries, 22 are European Union Member States, while the remaining four are mostly EFTA members. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are the four non-EU nations.

Below is the Schengen Visa countries list

• Austria
• Denmark
• France
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Slovakia
• Sweden
• Belgium
• Estonia
• Germany
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Malta
• Poland
• Slovenia
• Switzerland
• Czech Republic
• Finland
• Greece
• Italy
• Lithuania
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain

How to apply for a Schengen Visa from India?

If you reside in India, you must first determine which Schengen Visa you require based on your objective, the duration of your trip, and the number of visits you want to make. The ordinary Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa valid for up to 90 days, with longer stays requiring a work or study visa. If you plan on visiting the Schengen Area on a frequent basis, multiple-entry visas are also available.

Also, Indian citizens are not eligible to get a Schengen visa on arrival. Indian nationals must apply for a Schengen Visa at least 15 days before their journey and no more than six months before their vacation. However, it is recommended that you apply at least three weeks before your departure date to account for any delays in completing your application. Then you must complete your application, gather all necessary papers for your Schengen Visa, and appear for an interview at an Indian consulate, embassy, or visa application center.

The application for a Schengen Visa is straightforward. You may proceed in the following manner:

• For a visa application form, go to the Schengen Embassy’s website. The form is available for download. Click here to download the form.
• Fill out the form’s data and sign it before submitting it.
• Gather all of the necessary paperwork for the visa. Submit these to the visa center together with the visa application form.
• If you are only visiting one nation, the visa will be applied to that country’s embassy or consulate.
• If you are visiting more than one nation, apply for a visa in the country’s center, where you will be staying for a longer period of time. If the number of days spent in each nation is the same, apply for a visa in the country where you will be traveling first.
• Make an appointment to get your visa processed.
• Show up for the interview and get your passport.

Schengen visa fee for Indians

Fees for administration must be paid (related to the administrative processing of the request). The payments must be made to the visa service when sending the application: either online if you made a pre-application using an internet platform, or with the service where you submitted your file. In the case of a visa denial, the payments are not refunded.
The cost of a Schengen Visa varies depending on the age of the applicant

Category	Fee in EUR	Fee in INR
Adult	€80	₹6,292
Children between 6-12 years of age	€40	₹3,146
Children younger than 6 years of age	Free	Free

Schengen Visa Requirements

If you only want to visit one of the Schengen nations, you must apply for a visa for that specific country. However, if you want to visit more than one Schengen country, you must apply for a Schengen visa and specify which country would be your principal destination.

You may require the following papers to obtain a visa:

• Accommodation invitation from the host with one or more supporting papers
• All candidates going must complete and sign a Visa Application Form.
• 2 recent passport-sized photos taken within the past three months Each photograph should be 35X45 mm in size and have a matte backdrop. 70% to 80% of your face should be visible.
• A passport that is no more than ten years old and has a minimum validity of three months is required.
• Flight tickets to and from each nation are available.
• Itinerary to its fullest.
• Proof of lodging for hotels or Airbnbs where you intend to stay.
• Travel or health insurance with up to €30,000 in medical coverage
• Proof of financial resources, such as a bank statement from the last three months. The financial sponsorship letter is required if you have a sponsor.
• Proof of employment, student status, or self-employment.
• If you are working, you must present an employment contract, leave authorization, and a tax return.
• A copy of your business license, the company’s bank statement for the last six months, and your income tax return if you are self-employed.
• Proof of enrolment and a letter of recommendation from a university or institution is required for students.
• A letter signed by the guardians will be sufficient for minors.

Read Also: Canada Student Visa Refusal 2022: Here is how to get approved after Refusal!

Is Travel Insurance required for Schengen Visa?

Yes, travel insurance is almost required when applying for a Schengen visa. This is because every tourist must have health insurance or medical coverage that protects them up to €30,000 as part of the Schengen visa requirements.

If you do not have a health insurance policy that covers you outside of India, purchasing travel insurance makes sense because it not only protects you in the event of medical emergencies but also in the event of other unforeseen situations such as:

• If you get sick, have an accident, or require medical assistance after participating in an adventure sports activity, your travel insurance policy will be there to cover all of your unexpected expenses.
• If you lose your passport, your travel insurance coverage will cover you and assist you in obtaining a replacement.
• Your travel insurer will pay you for the loss of items and/or time if you are delayed or your checked luggage is lost.
• If you have to cancel or leave your trip, your travel insurance will ensure you don’t lose money by covering all of your non-refundable charges.

There’s a lot more to a travel insurance policy than the advantages listed above. To be honest, a travel insurance policy for a short trip will cost you less than Rs 1,000, but it will cover you a lot more. This will not only help you save money, but it will also allow you to enjoy your holiday stress-free.

Advantages of Schengen Visa for Indians

• Schengen is a collection of 26 nations, and obtaining this visa has its own set of advantages: visitors will be able to visit several countries with just one visa.
• Obtaining and paying for individual visas for each nation saves time and effort.
• You just need one stamp on your passport, which saves you time in the bureaucratic process.

How long does it take to process a Schengen Visa from India?

Applications should take about 15 days to process but can take up to 30 days during peak seasons. However, it may take up to 60 days in some circumstances, so apply early.

Indian passport holders are welcome in Europe, with more than 10 million Indians visiting Schengen nations each year with more than a million tourist permits issued in 2019. Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Greece, Iceland, Slovenia, and Slovakia are the easiest countries to apply to. You should also verify whether the nation you wish to visit has a consulate or a visa application facility since some countries do not have these facilities available in surrounding towns or cities.

Hope we covered all the necessary topics regarding the Schengen Visa for Indians. If you have any doubts or queries regarding the same feel free to contact us.

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