Your Guide to a Schengen Visa for Indians

Thinking about Europe? A Schengen Visa can help you visit the many European countries within the Schengen Area. Read on to learn more about the Schengen Visa and how Indian passport holders can apply.

Do Indians need a visa for Europe?

Yes. Indians need a visa to visit Europe. A Schengen visa allows you to visit 26 European countries with a single visa. Since almost all these countries have open borders, a Schengen visa makes it convenient for tourists to travel across the Schengen area. But keep in mind it is still up to border control in each country to allow entry or exit.¹

Types of Visa for Europe

There are several Schengen visa types, divided into short-term (Schengen C Visa) and long-term (National D Visa). They can be issued for one to multiple entries. While the general documents for all Schengen visas remain similar, each visa category needs additional documents to support the purpose. Each country may have its own processes and requirements, so check their Embassy websites in India for details.²

Schengen tourist visa for Indians

A short-term Schengen tourist visa allows Indian passport holders to enter the Schengen area for tourism for up to 90 days within a 180-day window. Tourists will need to apply for a Schengen visa to the first country they arrive in and are not allowed to take up residence or work on this visa.

A tourist visa is different from a visitor visa. A Schengen visitor visa allows visiting family and friends and requires an invitation letter with the application.

Schengen work visa for Indians

Indians moving to Europe for employment must apply for a Schengen Work Visa if their place of employment is in any of the 26 Schengen countries. This visa requires an existing employment contract between the applicant and the employer residing in the Schengen country. Indians can travel between Schengen countries with a work visa.⁴

Schengen student visa for Indians

Indian students who have been accepted into a university or college in a Schengen country can apply for a Schengen Student Visa. This visa is typically for courses or programs for more than 90 days. The student visa requires the applicant to submit a letter of acceptance from the university, college, or school.

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

Here is the Schengen visa cost for Indian passport holders. The total fee combines the application fee and the VFS Global service fee. The visa fees can be paid by Visa, Mastercard, Demand Draft, and in some cases, UPI, American Express, or Rupay.3

There are additional optional premium features from VFS Global that can add to the visa fees, like courier delivery or premium lounge access.

Schengen visa requirements for Indian citizens

Schengen visa application fee varies based on the county and the purpose of the visa. Here is a list of the general Schengen visa requirements for Indian passport holders applying for a tourist or visitor visa:

• Original Indian passport with a minimum validity of three months from the date you intend to leave the Schengen area.
• Proof of accommodation, which can be hotel bookings, Airbnb reservations, or addresses of family and friends in the Schengen country.
• Round-trip itinerary, including flight tickets.
• Travel health insurance.
• Proof of fully-paid visa fee.
• Cover letter detailing the trip.
• Copies of previous Schengen visas, if applicable.
• Birth certificate and parental consent for minors.
• Proof of financial means such as bank statements.

Each visa category and embassy may require additional documents that applicants must submit with their application. Check the country’s embassy website or VFS Global for the exact documents that you will need to provide for your type of visa. It can differ from country to country.

How to apply for a Schengen visa

Many Schengen countries partner with VFS Global for visa application processing in India. VFS Global will collect your documents, register your biometrics, and send your application to the relevant Embassy.

Once you have identified the country for your Schengen visa, head to that country’s Embassy website for India. The list of websites can be found on page 7 of the Schengen Visa Applicants in India document.

Under Visas, find the steps to complete the visa application, either on the respective embassy’s site itself or on that country’s VFS Global portal. Proceed to complete the application, pay the visa application fees, and book an appointment for registering your biometrics. You’ll need to submit your passport, which will be returned to you once a decision has been made on your visa application.

Schengen visa processing time

Schengen visa processing can be an extended process, so starting the application process a few weeks in advance is recommended. Once an application is submitted, it can take the Embassy anywhere from 15 to 45 days to arrive at a decision. The rules permit you to apply up to six months in advance.

Schengen Visa Validity

Generally, a short-term Schengen visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. But the embassy can decide on the Schengen visa validity, depending on a case-to-case basis.

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