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The Schengen region welcomes locals and visitors from across the globe with a Schengen Visa. Although there are select countries that are allowed to travel without a visa to any of the Schengen countries, India does not fall under this category.
Therefore, for Indian citizens planning to visit Schengen countries, applying for a Schengen Visa is necessary. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to apply for a Schengen Visa from India, providing step-by-step instructions, details of required documentation and important tips to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
A Schengen visa is a long- or short-term visa that allows you to enter the Schengen zone in the European Union, constituted of the 29 countries that follow a common visa policy.
All in the union have officially diluted the use of passports within themselves. Schengen is known as the world’s largest visa-free zone for countries that form a part of it.
A group of 29 countries that form the Schengen area. Out of these 29 countries, 23 make up the European Union Member State, and the remaining 4 non-European Union countries are major members of European Free Trade Association (EFTA). These 4 non-EU countries are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The 29 Schengen countries are:
Citizens of India and other nationals legally residing in India can apply for a Schengen visa directly from the country. Indian nationals living abroad must be legally present in the country and provide a valid reason for applying in India rather than their country of residence.
Yes, Indian applicants seeking a Schengen visa can complete the application form online via the VFS Global website. However, they must physically submit the required documents and appear at the Consulate to register their biometric data.
It's anticipated that by 2026, the entire visa process, including application, document submission, and passport collection, will be accessible online (1).
You can apply no earlier than 6 months before their intended travel date. Visa processing typically takes 1-2 weeks, but during peak seasons or for complex applications, it can take up to 6-8 weeks.
Therefore, it’s wise to apply at least 1-2 months before your intended travel date. This provides enough time for processing while giving you some buffer in case of delays.
While most Schengen countries outsource their visa application process to VFS Global (which has centres across India), the final decision still rests with the specific country's embassy or consulate in India.
Most Schengen countries have their embassies in New Delhi. Some also have consulates in other major Indian cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Important Note: Even if you apply physically at a VFS Global centre, your documents will be forwarded to the relevant embassy or consulate for the final decision.
Yes, it is mandatory to have schengen area travel insurance. This is because, as part of the Schengen visa requirements, every tourist must have medical coverage of up to €30,000. Visa requirements for the 29 countries are practically identical, so owning travel insurance will help process your Schengen Visa in a smooth manner.
*The applicable visa fee in Indian Rupees is based on the exchange rate as of 20 March 2024. These are just the visa fees charged by the consulate. The application centre might levy additional service charges you use (e.g., VFS Global).
Select the country or countries you want to visit within the Schengen area and make sure to determine the country you will visit first. It is important as the visa application process and required documents can vary depending on the specific country's regulations.
Once you select the country(ies), you need to know which consulate or embassy is appropriate for your visa application.
There are three ways to select the consulate:
If the country you're visiting doesn't have an embassy or consulate in India, or if they're not processing visas, you can apply through the Schengen state that represents them for visa matters.
The first port of entry for a Schengen visa is the first Schengen country a foreign visitor enter. Through the first port of entry, you enter the Schengen Area, and from there, you can travel to any other Schengen country using the same visa.
To start your Schengen visa application, head to the official website of the application centre or the website of the embassy or consulate representing the country you plan to visit first in the Schengen Area.
Once you land on the right website, the first thing you should do is checking if you need a visa and the particular visa type by providing your nationality, age, main destination of stay, country of submission of application, etc. in the designated section.
If a visa is required, you must select the type of Schengen visa you need based on your purpose of visit (e.g., tourism, business, study).
Then fill out the application form for your short-term or long-term visa online on the chosen country’s VFS Global website or other relevant visa application centres’ website and then download or print it.
Here are the important links to the Schengen countries’ VFS Global websites, consulates and embassies in India and their address and contact information.
Please note that VFS Global does not process visa applications for Greece, Spain, and Slovakia directly from India. If any of these countries are on your travel itinerary, you can choose another Schengen country as your first port of entry and then proceed to any of these countries.
However, if you intend to visit only one of these countries and wish to enter directly, you must apply for the visa through the respective websites for Greece, Spain, or Slovakia as mentioned below:
Refer to the checklists the embassy or VFS Global provided to ensure you have all the required documents.
Common Documents Required for Schengen Visa:
Thoroughly filled and signed form. Download forms from the embassy/consulate website of the country you plan to visit first.
Must have at least 3 months validity beyond your intended stay and not older than 10 years. The passport should have at least two blank pages for visa stamping.
Two recent passport-sized photos with a white background, meeting Schengen visa photo requirements. Below given are the photo requirements for Schengen visa:
For Schengen visa applications, ensure your photos meet these requirements:
You can refer to this source for clarity in all the necessary photo requirements.
Notes: Visa requirements can change periodically. It's always best to consult the official websites for the most accurate information right before you start your application.
Covers a minimum of €30,000 per individual for medical emergencies throughout your stay in the Schengen area.
Hotel reservations, rental property agreements, or a host's invitation letter (if staying with family/friends).
Bank statements fetched 4 to 5 days before the appointment date and salary slips for the last 3 months, income tax returns, or sponsorship documents showing you can support yourself financially during the trip.
An HR letter from your employer confirming your position, salary, and leave approval. Your HR letter must include the below details:
Round trip flight bookings, details of transportation within the Schengen area.
An official business letter from a company in a Schengen state, as well as from the employer stating the purpose of the visit, must be presented.
A detailed letter explaining the purpose of your trip, your itinerary, and dates of travel. Below are the points must be present in your cover letter:
1. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country
2. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly
3. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country
4. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly
5. In case of retired applicant
6. If self-employed
7. If unemployed
8. If a student
9. Proof of civil status
10. In case of retired applicant
11. If self-employed
12. If unemployed
13. If a student
14. Proof of civil status
After filling out the application form and preparing all necessary documents, the next step is to book an appointment for document verification and biometric registration. You can do this in two ways – through the VFS Global website or the official website of the embassy or consulate.
To book an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre in India, click 'Book an Appointment' and create an account if needed. Schedule your appointment by providing your application number and other details.
Remember to book individual appointments for each member if applying as a family or group. You will receive a confirmation email and appointment letter after booking. Pay the service fee if required.
VFS Global offers a variety of premium services to make the Schengen visa application process more convenient and smoother. You can opt for the services at the time of booking your appointment. The services include:
Premium Lounge: Enjoy personalized visa submission with no queues and dedicated staff assistance. * Premium Lounge is optional and available in select cities and only for certain missions.
Visa at Your Doorstep: Complete the visa application process conveniently from home or office, including pick-up, drop-off, and biometric capture.
Form Filling Assistance: Get help with completing the online visa application form.
Courier Service: Get your passport and other documents delivered.
Disclaimer: The charges for the additional premium services vary from country to country.
To book an appointment through BLS International for Spain and Slovakia and GVC World for Greece, you will require to fill in the respective forms online and you will receive an appointment letter against your confirmed booking.
Here, your documents will be checked and approved, and you will need to settle the official visa application fee. Biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs, will also be collected during your appointment.
*The applicable visa fee in ₹ (Indian Rupees) is as per the current exchange rate as of 20 March 2024. It is subject to change without notice. (source)
Important Note:
Yes, applicants for a Schengen visa must provide biometric data, which includes fingerprints and a digital photograph during their Schengen visa application process.
Individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 need to submit biometric data for a Schengen visa application, with a parent or legal guardian's consent and presence during fingerprint collection. However, there are some exemptions:
Typically, it takes up to 15 days from the time the Embassy or Consulate receives the application for a tourist visa to be processed. Please note that this timeframe does not include transportation time. In some cases, processing may take up to 30 days if additional examination of the application is required.
Throughout the processing stage, you can monitor the progress of your Schengen visa application by utilising the online portal or contacting VFS Global.
Upon receiving notification, visit the VFS centre to collect your passport containing the visa decision. You can get your passport delivered to your home or workplace using their premium services.
If your visa application is rejected, you'll be provided with a reason upon passport collection. Should you believe the rejection was unjustified, you have the option to appeal the decision by drafting and submitting a visa refusal appeal letter to the embassy.
Typically, there's a specified timeframe for lodging an appeal, and failing to do so within this window forfeits the opportunity for further appeal.
Based on the Schengen visa statistics for 2022, here are the five Schengen countries that provide Schengen visa easily, having the lowest rejection rates for visa applications compared to others:
Below are the five Schengen countries with the highest rejection rates:
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