Schengen Visa For Indians
In this article, you will find ultimate information about how to get a Schengen Visa for Indians, including the documents required for getting a Schengen visa, the fees applicable, duration and validity of the visa.
If you are an Indian citizen and have plans to travel to Schengen countries, then you’ll need a Schengen Visa. As one of the mostimportant travel documents, your Schengen visa will allow you to enter any country that is a part of the Schengen Zone. This document will also allow you to cross the border between different countries that are part of the Schengen zone.
I called the consulate in Chicago and they told me that they barely issue any visas anymore. Maybe it was a slow day at the consulate, but I don’t think so. It could be that people who travel frequently have figured out ways to get around the visa process. There are a lot of reasons why you might want to visit Europe, but you can still do it without getting a Schengen Visa.
Schengen Visa For Indians
The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries. The Area includes three non-European countries. It covers territory of over 400 million people. Germany, France, Spain and Italy are part of the Schengen Area There are many benefits for citizens in the Schengen area. They can travel freely as there are no checkpoints between member states. They can stay in the area for up to 90 days within a 6 month period. After these 90 days, it is possible to reapply for another 90 days within two years.
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.
List of 26 Schengen Area Countries
A group of 26 countries that form the largest Schengen area. Out of these 26 countries, 22 makes for the European Union Member State and the remaining 4 Non-European Union countries are majorly a member of EFTA. These 4 non-EU countries are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Schengen Visa Fee for Indian Citizens
| Schengen Visa Category | Fee in INR | Fee in EUR |
| Adult | ₹6,292 | €80 |
| Child between 6-12 years of age | ₹3,146 | €40 |
| Child younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
* The applicable visa fee in ₹ (Indian Rupees) is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice. (source)
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.
For a visa, you may need the following documents:
- 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.
Is Travel Insurance mandatory for Schengen Visa application?
Yes, a Travel Insurance is almost mandatory for a Schengen visa application. This is because, as part of the Schengen visa requirements, every tourist must have a health insurance or medical policy that covers them up to €30,000.
Now, if you don’t have health insurance policy that covers you beyond India- then opting for a travel insurance makes sense as it not only protects you in case of medical emergencies but also protects you in the case of other unforeseen situations such as:
- If you fall sick, have an accident or need medical assistance post an adventure sport activity, your travel Insurance Policy will be there for you to cover for all its unexpected expenses.
- In case of loss of passport, your travel insurance policy will be there for you and help you in the process of getting a new one.
- In case of delay or loss of checked-in luggage, your travel insurer will compensate for the loss of belongings and, or loss of time.
- In an unfortunate case of a trip cancellation or abandonment, your travel insurance will ensure you don’t lose out on money and cover for all your non-refundable expenses.
There’s a lot more to a travel insurance than the benefits mentioned above. Honestly, a travel insurance would cost you less than Rs 1,000 for a short visit, but cover you for a lot more not only help you maximise on savings but also lets you enjoy your vacation without any stress and hassle-free.
Know more about:
- How to Compare Travel Insurance Online?
- Visa Free Countries for Indian Citizens
- Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Visa?
Note: Visa requirements keep changing for every country. Please make sure you check all the passport and visa requirements on the official website of the particular country before making any travel bookings.