So, you have an Indian passport and have been enjoying smooth Visa process for countries like Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore. Try your hand at Schengen Visa and you will realize how much pain Indians have to go through to visit a country just as a tourist for few days. You will need to do more preparation than you would have done for a job interview.
Schengen Visa: It is a common visa that allows visitors, entry to multiple countries in Europe which have signed Schengen agreement. You can find complete details here. If you are planning to visit one or more countries out of these, then you need to apply for Schengen Visa.
Following is the list of documents that need to be submitted:
• Passport valid at least three months beyond the stay in the Schengen area, with available pages for visa sticker and of “standard” quality (not damaged, torn, faded etc). Your previous passport (mandatory). Passport issued for 20 years are not accepted.
• Visa application forms duly filled & signed by Passenger.
• Two Latest passport size Photographs, white back ground w/o Border, 45 X 35 mm, 80% face should be Cover on Photo.
• A covering letter drafted on the passenger’s Letter Heads or normal paper (personal/official) to the respective consulate. (Mention purpose, duration of visit, who will bear the Expenses & complete itinerary). The letter should be signed by applicant.
• Confirm Hotel Booking/Accommodation
• Confirmed Return Air Ticket
• Bookings for internal travel like bus or train booking between cities.
• Travel insurance: Overseas medical insurance with minimum coverage of Euro 30,000 – for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses (Photocopy)
• NOC from company stating that you will join office back on a particular date.
• Address proof in case your passport is not issued from your current city.
• Last six months’ salary slips If salaried
• Last Three Years Income Tax Returns (Personal)
• Last Six Months Original Bank Statement (Personal) with Name & Address to be mentioned on it.
• If you have been refused a visa by an Embassy or High Commission in the last 3 years: Written explanation about the reason for trip and refusal and the copy of refusal from the concerned Embassy or High Commission.
• Wedding cards from both the sides, engagement/Roka Photographs (at least 10) along with the NOC from the parents of groom & bride both (Applicable when applying as a couple together)
• Credit card copy
• Copy of Passport first & last page
Documents cannot be submitted by post. You will need to submit either in person or apply via a travel agent.
Some general tips about documents:
1. Make sure you maintain a good balance (1 Lac or above) consistently over a period of last few months in your bank account. If you transfer a big amount just few days before application date then that may raise eyebrows. Also, a current balance of 2 lac would be a good number to show that you can bear the expenses in Europe yourself.
2. It would be better if you have visited some other countries earlier and thus do not have a blank passport. As per my understanding blank passports have higher chances of rejection.
3. You can submit your fixed deposit copies as an additional proof of funds.
4. Embassy wants to make sure you would return to your home country hence NOC letter becomes important indicating you have to return to your job.
5. Take every document very seriously as you never know one document may cause a problem.
6. Though application procedure is same for all countries in Schengen region, still it would be a good idea to visit embassy web site of specific country you want to visit. Some countries may require additional documents.
If you are thinking that I am mentioning whole process with unnecessary seriousness
then it would be good to know that my tourist visa to Spain has been denied in past and I was not told the reason. Embassies do not require you to give a reason for rejection. My rejection letter only has a statement” Your application has been rejected”. Hence, I have reason to inform others so that probability of rejection is less.
When you are visiting multiple countries then embassy to which the application should be made is decided based on following rules:
(a) the Member State whose territory constitutes the sole destination of the visit(s).
(b) if the visit includes more than one destination, the Member State whose territory constitutes
the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length or purpose of stay.
(c) if no main destination can be determined, the Member State whose external border the
applicant intends to cross first in order to enter the territory of the Member States.
Please go through Common Information Sheet to understand various rules and regulations.
Time Taken: Min 15 working days or more depends upon Embassy discretion
Once the application is received at embassy following are the possible outcomes:
1. Visa is granted.
2. Embassy can ask for any additional documents.
3. Embassy can call for personal interview.
4. Application is rejected.
For more information, please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/
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