How to Apply for A Schengen Visa From India

India is second in population and the seventh-largest country in the world. India’s economy is also one of the fastest-growing economies around the world. India has so many tourist places and Indians are also like to visit and explore many places. You can find Indians around the world. That is why many countries provide facilities and offer many offers to Indians to visit their country. Some of the countries offer ‘Visa on arrival’ to Indians. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, almost 50 million Indians traveled overseas in 2019, up from 23 million in 2017.  After the USA, Europe is one of the most attractive tourist destinations for Indians. Almost 10 million Indians traveling to Europe every year which is expected to reach around 15 million this year 2020.

Apply for a Schengen Visa from India:

In 2017, 920,699 applications for Schengen visas were submitted by Indians. Many of them are refused due to many reasons so before applying for Schengen Visa, you need to extra take care of everything. Before applying for Schengen Visa, you need to also figure out which type of Schengen Visa you required. 

Following are the Schengen visa types:

•           Transit visa

•           Tourism visa

•           Visa for Visiting Family or Friends

•           Business visa

•           Visa for Culture and Sport activities

•           Visa for Official Visits

•           Study visa

•           Visa for Medical Reasons

Here are the steps to apply for Schengen Visa from India:

•           Schengen Visa form available online. First, you download the visa application form, read all the instructions carefully and fill it completely correctly with sincerity. You can also fill the Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.

•           Attach two recently taken whole face capture passport size photos with a light background.

•           A valid Indian Passport with a validity of at least 3 more months.

•           Attach legal residence proof.

•           Travel Insurance for Schengen visa in India. Travel Insurance must meet the following requirements: Medical coverage of at least Euro 30,000. Medical evacuation/ repatriation must be covered.

•           Need a covering letter stating the purpose of the visit and the itinerary.

•           Flight return tickets from India to Europe and back.

•           Attach proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay.

•           Attach proof of civil status. (Marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)

•           Proof of sufficient financial sufficiency for the period of stay.

Generally, there are several recognized ways to prove your financial sufficiency:

•           A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months)

•           Credit card

•           Cash

•           Traveler’s cheques

•           Pay slips

•           Proof of employment

•           Supporting document to attest sponsor’s readiness to cover your expenses during your stay

•           Proof of prepaid accommodation

•           Document about accommodation in private

•           Proof of prepaid transport

•           Other