No need to miss out on your most desirable Europe trip because of the fear of going through its complex visa process. We have addressed all your doubts so that you can focus only on one thing- Travelling.
What is a Schengen visa?
It’s a short-stay visa allowing you to travel freely within European countries that have removed all their cross-border movement restrictions.
Types of tourist visa
Single entry visa
Double entry visa
Multiple-entry visa
Documents needed
- Filled visa application form
- Two passport-size photos (Taken no more than three months prior to the application)
- Passport (With three months validity beyond your leaving date)
- Round tickets
- Travel insurance (Coverage of minimum 30,000 Euro)
- Accommodation proof
- Cover letter- Describing what you do, your purpose of visit, places you will be travelling etc.
- Proof of fund
- Bank statement, in case of self-funding
- Sponsorship letter from your sponsor with their bank statement or both, in case another person is funding your trip
- Employment proof
Self-employed
- Company’s bank Statement of six months
- Income tax return
- Business license or Gumasta license
Salaried employee
- Salary slip or employment contract
- No objection letter from the employer
- Income tax return
Students
- Proof of enrolment
- No objection letter from the University
Where to apply?
This depends upon the number of countries you will cover during your Schengen visit and the number of days you will spend in each country or country you will be travelling to first.
For example, let’s say you have planned a trip to France and Germany and will spend an equal amount of days in each country, with your first destination being France. In that case, apply at one of the below-mentioned centres of the country where you will land first, i.e. France.
In case you’re going to spend more days in Germany, then apply at one of the below-mentioned centres of Germany.
- Embassy
- Consulate
- Visa-processing centre
(Eg- Â In the case of VFS Global Services, select the concerned country on their website and apply online)
Visa fees
Adults: Rs 7200 (approximately)
Children (aged 6-12): Rs 3600
Children (Below 6): Free
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa?
Minimum seven days, but it may take longer in unforeseeable circumstances.
Validity
Not fixed. It totally depends upon the visa issuing authority, but in most cases, it’s 90 days.
Countries under the Schengen area
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
