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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