How to Get a Schengen Visa from India: Your Easy-to-Follow Guide

Hello Fellow Travelers,

Planning a Holiday Trip to Europe and worried about how to apply for a VISA? No need to panic, I will try to give you a comprehensive Schengen Visa India guide to file your VISA from India.

Let’s get started:

1: Trip Planning

Before you think about applying for a VISA, planning your trip is most important. You need to identify the places you will visit and for how many days you will be going.

This is the foundation of your entire visa application, so take your time and make sure your itinerary is well-thought-out. Having a clear plan not only helps you secure your visa but also ensures you have an amazing and hassle-free trip.

2: Where to apply from?

In India, VFS Global is the official visa partner for the Schengen Visa, so you need to create an account on their website and book an appointment. This is the go-to platform for submitting your application and biometric data.

Before booking your appointment, you need to figure out which country you will be applying to. This is where your meticulous trip planning from step one becomes crucial! You cannot just apply for a Schengen Visa from any country. There are three key rules you must follow to determine the correct country for your application:

1. If you are visiting only one Schengen country, then you must apply for your visa from that country’s embassy or consulate. It’s a straightforward process.
2. If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, then it gets a bit more complex
   1. Primary Destination: Your main destination is the country where you will spend the most time. For example, if you are staying for 5 nights in France and 3 nights in Switzerland, you must apply from France. The duration of your stay in each country is the deciding factor here.
   2. Equal Stay: If you will spend an equal number of nights in all the countries you are visiting, then you should apply from the country you will enter first. This is your point of entry into the Schengen Area.
   3. No Primary Destination: If your travel plan is not clear or you will be on a cruise or tour where the stay in each country is not well-defined, you should apply from the country you will enter from.

3: Documents required? A guide for Schengen Visa India

Now that you have your travel plan sorted and know which country to apply from, let’s talk about the dreaded document checklist. Don’t worry, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds! Having all your documents ready and organized beforehand will make your appointment a breeze.

Here’s a general list of what you’ll need. Remember to check the specific country’s embassy website or the VFS Global site for the most up-to-date and detailed requirements, as they can vary slightly.

• Schengen Visa Application Form: This needs to be completely filled out and signed. You can usually find a downloadable version on the VFS Global website.
• Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area. It should also have at least two blank pages for the visa stamp.
• Photographs: You’ll need recent passport-sized photos that meet the Schengen photo specifications. The VFS website has clear guidelines on the size and background color.
• Cover Letter: This is your chance to explain the purpose of your trip. Briefly describe your travel itinerary, the countries you’ll visit, and the reason for your travel (e.g., tourism, business).
• Flight Itinerary: A round-trip flight booking showing your entry and exit from the Schengen Area. It’s usually recommended to have a confirmed ticket, but some consulates accept a reserved itinerary.
• Proof of Accommodation: This includes hotel bookings or a letter of invitation if you’re staying with a friend or family member. These bookings should cover your entire stay in the Schengen Area.
• Travel Insurance: Mandatory! Your insurance policy must cover a minimum of €30,000 for any medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation. It should be valid throughout your stay.
• Proof of Funds: This is to show that you can financially support yourself during your trip. You can provide your bank statements from the last three to six months, income tax returns (ITR), and a salary slip (if applicable).
• Proof of Employment or Student Status:
  • For employees: A ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from your employer stating your leave period and that you will return to your job.
  • For self-employed individuals: Business registration documents and bank statements.
  • For students: A bonafide letter from your school or university.
• Schengen Visa Fee: The visa application fee, which can be paid online or at the VFS center. The amount is subject to change, so check the latest fee on the VFS website.

Gathering all these documents might seem like a lot, but by following a checklist, you can tackle it one by one. Once you have everything ready, you are all set for your VFS appointment!

Stay tuned for the next part of this guide. Where I’ll walk you through the process of booking your appointment and what to expect on the day of your submission.

Happy travels!