Last Updated on June 10, 2024
A Schengen visa is required by Indians to travel to certain countries, included in the Schengen area of Europe, for tourism or business. Indian citizens with a Schengen visa can travel to and between 29 Schengen countries without any visa checking or passport control on their borders. You can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day limit in a year. The duration of the visa, however, is only decided by the embassy the visa application is filed with. As of now, the Schengen visa application for Europe should be made through VFS Global Services.
Countries in the Schengen Area in Europe
As mentioned above, there are 29 countries in the Schengen area that a person with a valid Schengen visa can visit. These are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Types of Schengen Visa for Indian Tourists
There are three types of visas: Type A, Type C, and Type D, to enter Schengen countries in Europe. Indian Tourists need to file for type C visas, which are further categorized into three types: single entry, double entry, and multiple entry visas. However, the type of visa you get totally depends on the embassy you are applying for a visa with. The types of Schengen Visa are:
1. Single Entry Schengen Visa
A Single Entry Visa is when you can enter the Schengen area just once during the validity of your visa. For example, if you have a 15-day single entry Schengen Visa valid from 1st March to 15th March, you can visit all the Schengen countries freely during this time. However, if you plan to enter the Schengen Area on the 1st, exit the country to visit another non-Schengen country on the 4th, and re-enter the Schengen Area, you won't be allowed to do that.
2. Double Entry Schengen Visa
A Double Entry Visa allows you to enter the Schengen area twice within its validity period. For instance, if you have a 6-month double-entry visa, you can exit the Schengen Area to visit any other non-Schengen country and re-enter within the visa validity period.
3. Multiple Entry Schengen Visa
A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area multiple times within the visa validity period.
Cascade Regime: As of 2024, a new regime called ‘Cascade’ has been introduced for Indians. This regime allows you to obtain a 2-year multiple-entry visa if you have used at least two visas for your trips to the Schengen area within the last three years. If your passport is valid for enough years, this visa can then be extended to a 5-year multiple-entry visa.
Note: The number of entries allowed will be indicated on the sticker visa as “1”, “2” or "MULT."
Airport Transit Visa in Europe
If you are an Indian citizen planning to transit through a Schengen country, you will need an Airport Transit Visa (Type A) for certain countries. These countries include the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Spain. This visa allows you to stay in the international transit area of the airport without entering the country and is valid for up to 24 hours. The fee for this visa is approximately EUR 80. If you have a layover longer than 24 hours or need to exit the airport to catch another flight, you will require a different visa type. Always check the latest fees and requirements before applying.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa
Step 1: Decide your Port of Entry: It is important to decide which country you are going to enter the Schengen area with. This is the country to which you will be applying for a visa. For example if you plan to take a flight from India to Paris, then you would be applying for a visa with French Embassy in India.
Note: Visa applications made to Liechtenstein are processed by Switzerland Embassy.
Step 2: Download a visa application form: Visit https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html and choose the country you want to file your visa with. Click on Apply for a Visa>Choose the type of visa you want to apply for by clicking on “Identify Visa Type”>Download the application.
Step 3: Book an Appointment: For this you would have to first create an account on VFS. Then click on “Book an appointment” at “https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/aut/book-an-appointment” and choose the nearest VFS centre and the time slots available. After that, you would have to pay a service fee. Download the receipt and appointment document.
Step 4: Visit your chosen VFS Global Centre: On the day of the appointment, visit your chosen center to submit documents and biometrics and pay Visa fees.
Documents Required for Schengen Visa
- Travel Passport: Original Passport with atleast validity of up to 3-6 months validity and a minimum of 3 blank pages. Carry older passports, if any.
- Copy of Passport: A copy of the first and last pages of your current and old passports.
- Filled Application Form
- Cover Letter with Travel Itinerary: A cover letter stating your brief introduction and your purpose for traveling. Also, attach a detailed itinerary of your travel.
- 2 Passport-Sized Photographs: two 32-36mm sized photographs with white background. Your face should cover 80% of the photograph. Make sure your ears are visible.
- Flight Proofs: Outbound and inbound travel Tickets.
- Hotel Reservations: Proof of stay with hotel booking confirmation number at each destination you plan to visit.
- Travel Insurance: A copy of travel insurance providing cover of a minimum of EUR 30000 that is accepted in all the countries you are planning to visit and is valid for your period of stay.
- Proof of Occupation: For self-employed, a copy of your business registration certificate is required. For Salaried people, a copy of salary slips for the last 3 months, a copy of the appointment letter, and an NOC from your company stating the approval of leave.
- Proof of Sufficient Fund: A bank statement up to the last 3 months as proof of sufficient income duly stamped by your bank stating you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the Schengen area. You can also provide a copy of your investments if needed.
- ITR Acknowledgments: ITR acknowledgments for the last 3 years.
- Additional Documents: Some embassies may also require proof of internal transport, such as internal flight and train tickets. You can also attach your appointment letter with the service fee receipt.
Schengen Visa Costs and Service Fees
Getting a Schengen visa involves paying costs in two different parts. The first is online while booking an appointment, and the second is during document submission, payable at the VFS centre.
Online Costs: VFS Service costs for each embassy are different but usually up to EUR 22. This amount is payable in INR at the current exchange rate. There is also a convenience fee of up to 200 INR. The exchange rate and fees charged by the particular embassy may be between 2000 and 2500 INR.
Offline Costs: At your VFS center visit, you need to pay Visa costs along with submitting documents and biometrics. This is around EUR 80-90 converted into INR at the current exchange rate. You will also be charged for the services you opt for, such as courier service, SMS service, premium lounge, etc.
The total cost of a Schengen visa may exceed INR 12000, depending on the country you have decided to apply for a visa with.
Note: There is a reduced fee of EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 18. Visa costs for children under 6 are free.
Schengen Visa Processing Time
The designated process time for a Schengen visa is 15 days. However, it can take up to 45 days due to several embassy-related issues or for a detailed application examination.
Tips
- In the cover letter, try to convince the consulate or embassy that you have no intention of staying back in their country by providing information regarding your family, job, and properties.
- You add additional documents like your marriage certificate, in case you are going for a honeymoon or anniversary celebration.
- You can also add proof of residence in India, like a long-term house rental agreement or registration of your house. These documents help to establish the credibility that you will be coming back to India and have no intention of staying back in Europe.
- Make a detailed itinerary with modes of travel and activities for each day at each destination you plan to visit.
- Be consistent in your purpose of visit and itinerary
- Plan in advance as it sometimes takes months to secure a slot for visa document submission.
- You can opt for courier services for a charge of around INR 800 at the VFS center, which will allow you to receive your processed documents and visa by courier without having to visit the center.
- To get updates on visa processing, you can opt for an SMS service for around INR 400 at VFS center.
