Learn how to go through the Schengen visa application for Indian Citizens by following the helpful steps listed in this article. Although there is a general Schengen visa application procedure for all passport holders that are required to have a visa, there may be finer details that specifically apply to Indian citizens or India passport holders. Believe it or not, more than 5 million Indian citizens travel to and fro the Schengen area for a variety of reasons. Some travel to Schengen for leisure, some for education purposes, and some for work purposes. While there are different requirements for the various Schengen visa types, the article will focus on the Schengen visa application for Indian citizens.
Schengen Visa Application for Indian Citizens – The Details
Step 1:
The first thing to do when planning to apply for a Schengen visa is to fill out a Schengen visa application form. It is better to type in the information on the form using a laptop or computer and then print it out. However, if you do not have access to a computer and printer, then you need to handwrite your information on the form. Please use blue ink and write in print so it is readable. Finally, affix your signature to confirm that you have written factual information on the form.
Step 2:
The next step in the Schengen visa application for Indian citizens is to have a valid passport. Valid passport means that your passport is not expiring within 3 months of your intended travel date. For example, if you plan to visit the Schengen area from May 1 to May 10, 2017, your passport must not expire on or before August 10, 2017.
If your passport is valid, then you need to make 2 photocopies of the data page (at the front) and the last page.
Step 3:
You also need a couple of recent passport-size colored photos. For further details about the size of the photo and other restrictions regarding the photo, click on this link.
Step 4:
While you were filling out your visa application form, you must have come across a section that asks you to give the specific details of your travel – date of entry in the Schengen area and date of exit from the Schengen area. Aside from these, you will be asked which Schengen countries you plan to visit and how many days you intend to stay. All these information that you will insert on the form must be accompanied with appropriate proofs of travel like a flight itinerary and hotel booking. You may get a booking just for your visa application without having to pay for the actual airfare and hotel booking costs by clicking on the previous links.
Step 5:
Another important requirement of the Schengen visa is a travel insurance. A travel insurance is required both as a safety net of the tourist and a safety net of the Schengen territory being visited. The travel insurance assures the tourist of medical coverage in case of emergency as well as repatriation coverage in case of political emergency. To learn more about the details and coverage of the Schengen visa required travel insurance, click on this link.
Step 4:
Schengen member embassies do look for the financial stability and capability of any and all visa applicants because traveling to the Schengen area is not cheap. To secure an approved travel visa, you need to collate important documents to prove that you can indeed financially support your travel plans.
The first document you need to prove your financial viability is a bank certification. The bank certificate must indicate the amount of money you have in savings for the past 3 months. The average amount stated on your certificate must be more than enough to cover the inevitable costs of your trip.
If you are a student and your trip is sponsored by your parents or close relative, then you will need to get a bank certificate to prove that your parents or relative can financial support your travel plans.
If you are employed and your company is paying for your trip, then you will need to furnish a contract that proves that your company is supporting your trip and this must be accompanied by necessary bank certifications.
Step 5:
Another detail that all Schengen embassies look for is a compelling reason for any and all applicants to go back to their country of origin. One document to prove that you have a reason to fly back home is your employment status. It is best that you are securely tenured and have been employed for quite some time so the embassy can see that you have a stable job back home. To prove that you have a stable job and stable source of income, you need to prepare a copy of your current employment contract, a copy of your current salary slips, and an employment certificate signed by your immediate head or human resource head.
If you own your business, then you need to prepare your ITR and your business’s permits and licenses.
Step 6:
Once you have all these documents, you may now make an appointment with the Schengen embassy where you intend to stay the longest. If you are applying for a visa from India, then you will need to set an appointment with VFS Global, a third-party visa processing unit employed by most Schengen member embassies.
Step 7:
After setting an appointment, do make sure that you review all the information you entered on your visa application form. Should you be interviewed by one of the consuls, then you must know all the details by heart.
Schengen Visa Application for Indian Citizens – Apply Now!
If you have read through the entire article, then you now must be enlightened by how easy it is to apply for a Schengen visa. Start completing all the necessary documents and you will definitely experience an uncomplicated visa application process.
Should you have any other queries about the Schengen visa application for Indian Citizens, do not hesitate to contact us and one of our friendly agents will respond to your queries.
