Schengen visa is the gateway to exploring Europe’s vast cultural, historical, and natural beauty. Indian travelers must know everything about applying for a Schengen visa from India, including the documents required, validity, minimum bank balance, processing fees, and more.
If you need assistance with a Schengen visa, Itzeazy is here to help you. Itzeazy is India’s number one visa service provider.
Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows one to travel to any of the Schengen countries. You can stay up to 90 days and its validity is up to 180 days. A Schengen visa is suitable for tourism or business purposes. Schengen visa is valid for 26 countries (Including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and others) for both tourism and business travel.
Types of Schengen visa for Indians
Tourist Visa
Travel Schengen countries for holidays , tourisms and private visit
Business Visa
Travel Schengen countries for business conferences meetings and events
Transit Visa
Transit through the Schengen country for connecting flight
Schengen Visa Countries List
The countries in the Schengen area include Spain, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Validity of Schengen Visa
Type of Visa | Purpose | Stay Duration | Validity |
Tourist Visa | Sightseeing, visiting friends and family. | 90 days | 180 days |
Business Visa | Business-related activities | 90 days | 180 days |
Transit Visa | flying to another country through the Schengen country | Some few hours | 24 hours |
When to Apply for a Schengen Visa?
Generally, it is advised to apply 15-45 days before you travel but it can vary depending upon your visa type and travel period.
Charges for Schengen visa
Here are the processing fees for Schengen visas according to their different age category:
Age category(years) | Fees in Euro |
12 and above | $90 |
Between 6-12 | $45 |
Below 6 | Free |
A step-by-step guide to applying for a Schengen visa
Here is the step-by-step guide to applying for a Schengen visa:
- Choose the right Visa type: Select the visa type as per your requirement.
- Fill up the application form: You must fill up the form on the VFS global website.
- Book an appointment: You need to book an appointment for document verification at the nearest visa application center.
- Pay application fees: After booking an appointment, you need to pay the application fee as per your visa type and age category.
- Visit Visa Application Center: Visit the visa application center for further document verification and biometric submission.
- Track your application: You can track your visa application by adding your reference number and last name.
- Get your Visa: Your visa gets delivered by post at the current address.
Documents required for Tourist Schengen Visa
You can apply for a Schengen visa through VFS, kindly provide all the documents in A4 size. Do not staple any documents and remember that all the applications will be applied only after taking a prior appointment. You have to give biometrics for this type of application. The mandatory documents required for a Schengen visa from India are as:
- Valid Passport with validity of at least 3 months and at least 2 blank pages to affix a visa
- 2 Recent Coloured Photograph with a size of 35 x 45 mm with 80 % face.
- Personal cover letters should be instructed to dispatch the passports to the address below after visa approval.
- Travel Insurance with risk minimum coverage of Euro 30,000.
- Tour itinerary /Day to day Itinerary.
- Confirmed Return Ticket with Live PNR)
- Proof of accommodation (Confirmed hotel bookings with hotel name, address and contact details)
- Personal last 06 months updated Personal bank statement with bank stamp and sign.
- Personal Income Tax Return for the last 3 years.
Additional documents required for Schengen visa as per purpose of visit
- For Business Schengen visa
- Invitation from the particular Schengen country
- Cover letter from an Indian company
- Company bank statement
- Company Registration Proof
- For visiting Friends and family with a Schengen visitor visa:
- Invitation letter with address and contact details, trip details
- Resident ID copy (Inviters)
- Your friends or family address proof
- Proof of relation with your friends or family
- For Schengen Transit Visa:
- Valid visa of a particular destination Schengen country
- Flight Ticket to your destination country and return tickets as well
Additional documents required as per occupation
Here are the additional documents required for Schengen visa
- For Employee:
- Original Company NOC with stamp
- Sign & pay slip for the last 3 month
- For the proprietor/owner of the company:
- Cover letter from company’s letterhead
- Company’s Original 3-month bank statement
- proof of paid income tax (for 3 Years)
- Company Memo
- partnership deal
- establishment license or proprietorship
- For Students:
- Certificate of enrolment at institute/school
- School or college ID
- No objection certificate (NOC) from school/university
- For university students: Last 3 months bank statements
- For retired person:
- Retirement proof
- Pension statements of last 3 months
- For Sponsored visa:
- Letter of sponsorship with passport copy of the sponsor
- Sponsor’s last 3 months bank statement
- if sponsor is your spouse: marriage certificate
- if sponsor is your parents: birth certificate
Schengen Visa Photo Requirements
Here are the Photo requirements for a Schengen visa:
- Size: 35 x 45 mm
- White Background
- Straight Head with Natural Face Expression
- The face should cover 80% of the Photo
Minimum bank balance requirement for a Schengen visa
The minimum bank balance requirement for a Schengen visa varies depending upon the Schengen visa area. Here is the list of minimum bank balances according to their different countries:
Country | Minimum Bank Balance per person |
Belgium | €45 – €95 per day |
Croatia | €70 per day |
Denmark | DKK 350 per day |
Finland | Approximately €30 per day |
France | €32.50 per day |
Germany | €45 per day |
Greece | €50 per person per day |
Hungary | 10,000 HUF per entry |
Iceland | ISK 4,000 per person |
Latvia | €14 per day |
Lithuania | 40 EUR per day |
Luxembourg | Approximately €67 per day |
Norway | Approximately NOK 500 per day |
Netherlands | €55 per person per day |
Spain | €100 per person per day |
Slovakia | €56 per person per day |
Slovenia | €70 per person per day |
Sweden | 450 SEK per day |
Switzerland | Approx. CHF 100 per day |
Schengen visa processing time
The processing time for a Schengen visa application in Bangalore takes minimum of 15-20 working Days after the appointment. Thus you should apply well before travel dates.
Tips to avoid Schengen visa rejections
While applying for Schengen visa from India, you should follow visa guidelines and fulfil requirements properly to avoid any Schengen visa rejection. There may be many reasons for Schengen visa rejection but following tips can help you to avoid any delay in getting Schengen visa or rejection.
- Early visa application: Submit your Schengen visa application well before your intended travel date to avoid last minute rush and get appointment early.
- Complete application: Providing duly filled out visa application with all details.
- Proper documentation: Submit all required documents as per the visa types and its requirements with photocopies.
- Financial fund proofs:You need to provide clear evidence that you are perfectly capable to fund your trip. It includes showing your bank balance statements, pay slips or proof of your assets
- Clean criminal record: A clean criminal record is a necessity for Schengen visa approval. Any kind of criminal history could adversely affect your chances of approval. So, provide all details about any such cases and its recent updates.
FAQs
Can Indians get a Schengen visa easily?
Yes, if you apply for Schengen visa from India carefully and well in advance with fulfillment of all requirements, you can easily get Schengen visa.
What is Schengen visa fees from India?
Schengen visa fees from India vary as per the age category:
- Adults: € 90
- Minor (6-12 years): € 45
- Minor (below 6 years): Free
Can I get a Schengen visa in India without an interview?
No,you must have to visit visa application centre for interview and document verification for Schengen visa in India.
What is the fastest processing time for Schengen visa?
It takes 15-20 days processing time to get Schengen visa in India after visiting visa center on appointment. It is dependent on getting appointment at visa center.
Why to choose Itzeazy?
🛩️ Faster processing – We make the visa process faster
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🛩️ No hidden cost – Transparent pricing
🛩️ Accurate guidance – We have the knowledge and experience to make the process smooth and stress-free
🛩️ Our presence – Apply for visa from anywhere in India, always open for you
🛩️ Door step service – Document pickup & drop from the convenience of your home
🛩️ Visa Services for all Countries – We make you travel across the world
🛩️ Safety & Confidentiality – Your privacy is out utmost priority
You can book an order online for a Schengen travel visa. For any query or concern please speak to one of our relationship managers over the phone or chat. You can also write to us. We will get back to you.
Sandesh Ankush Patil
I am SANDESH PATIL ,I had schengen visa almost two years ago but I need POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE .Please guide me where to apply .