Schengen Visa Requirements for Indian Passport Holders

 

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/

What is a Schengen Visa and How Does it Work?

A Schengen visa, also known as a Europe visa, allows eligible individuals to travel freely within the 26 participating Schengen Area countries. This means Europe travelers will not be subject to border checks at internal Schengen borders.

Border checks remain in place for travelers crossing external borders, however. These are the borders between Schengen and non-Schengen states.

The following individuals are eligible for unrestricted travel in the Schengen Area:

•           Schengen-country citizens

•           Holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country

•           EU/EEA citizens

•           Non-EU individuals from eligible countries who are not required to obtain a Schengen visa for travel of 90 days or less

•           Non-EU individuals with a valid Schengen visa

Additional facts to keep in mind:

•           While you may not need a Europe visa, you will need a valid passport to enter any and all Schengen countries.

•           If you reside in a non-EU country, you will be required to obtain a stamp on your passport no matter what country you are entering. If you don’t have the stamps in your passport when you try to leave the Schengen Area, you may be required to prove how long you’ve been in Europe.

 

History of the Schengen Area

If you’re not at all familiar with the Schengen Area (or the Schengen Zone, as it’s sometimes called), here’s what you need to know:

 

In 1985, five European Union (EU) countries pledged to eliminate internal border controls. Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement, and the Schengen Area was born.

 

Five years later, these countries signed again to officially implement the agreement, and in 1995 border controls between the nations were effectively abolished.

 

Named after the village in Luxembourg where its borders meet those of Germany and France, the Schengen Agreement cemented the rights of Schengen-country nationals and EU citizens to travel freely within the participating area countries.

 

Today, 26 Schengen countries (Schengen states) make up the Schengen Area, which sees about 1.25 billion visits each year from Europeans alone.

Tips for buying the best Travel Insurance for USA from India

 

If you’ve ever wondered if there were any tips for buying the best travel insurance for USA from India, you wouldn’t be the first one to do so. Travel insurance is a boon if you are constantly traveling to the USA or anywhere else for that matter. One of the best travel insurance tips is to try purchasing travel insurance right before your departure to places that cover a medical insurance, free medical stays if necessary and an emergency flight service to get you back home whenever needed. Don’t think about how long or short your trip or the distance is. Think about how safe you can be if you invest a little in travel insurance. So, having travel insurance for USA from India or any international trip is always advisable.

An important thing to know is that medical expenses are costlier in other countries than in India. To exemplify, if you have a major finger cut and need to get it stitched, it might hardly cost you 3000/- rupees in India but if you bill it in USA, it will cost you nearly 40-50 times more. So, make sure to have your medical insurance also with you along with travel insurance for USA from India in order to save yourself from a burning pocket. Make it a part of your travel insurance when you book economy or business class flights for your next trip.

Tips on When and Why to Buy Travel Insurance for USA from India:

•           Burglary! The risk of burglary is something everyone is afraid of whenever we leave our homes alone. So, make sure to have a travel insurance handy in case of theft as that might cover your expenses and you can also use it in case of luggage thefts during your trips.

•           Imagine you have prepaid a huge amount of money and you need to cancel your trip! Cancellation insurance pops up right when you need it if you have it.

•           Supplemental insurance covers up for you on your renter’s policy while you are away vacationing. This is again a great advantage you have when you purchase travel insurance for USA from India.

•           Road trips are very much fun but you can make them secured too if you have a liability insurance. If you are renting a car then the rental agencies provide you with such insurances that provide cover in case of damage to the vehicles or people.

•           Apart from all these, why wouldn’t you want to own travel insurance for USA from India when you can get the chance of availing so much from it?

For more information, please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/

HOW TO GET A MULTIPLE-ENTRY FIVE-YEAR SCHENGEN VISA

 

Having a passport is the first step to feeling like the world is your oyster and you can just pack up and go anywhere, but that’s not the case for those of us who hold a weak passport. Want to go on an adventure or maybe run away for a peaceful getaway abroad? First you need to go through a ton of documents, appointments, and maybe changing your travel dates a couple of times. If you’re lucky enough and you’ve got Europe as the destination in mind, you get a multi-entry Schengen visa longer than your trip. Those who manage to get a Schengen visa for one year or longer win the lottery, but they’re not leaving it up to fate anymore.

The EU has defined the rules for getting a five-year multiple-entry visa to the Schengen area, and they’re somewhat promising! Only this month, they started implementing a new visa code with a bit of a higher price and a more flexible period in which you could apply before your trip. Other than that, they’ve rolled out a clear and easy guide on how to get a five-year visa and not go through the long process with every trip, and it all depends on your travel history. If you do it right, you get a multi-entry visa that allows you to go in and out of the Schengen area as many times as you want, as long as you don’t violate the 90/180 rule -- not staying longer than 90 days in the Schengen area within 180 days.

Here are the rules for getting a multiple-entry visa with a validity of one, two, and five years -- unless the validity of the visa would exceed that of the travel document:

1.         For a one-year visa, the applicant should have obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years.

2.         For a two-year visa, the applicant should have obtained and lawfully used a previous one -year multiple-entry visa within the previous two years.

3.         For a five-year visa, the applicant should have obtained and lawfully used a previous two-year multiple-entry visa within the previous three years.

So, the trick is: got a visa? Use the hell out of it as long as you can, get stamps, and don’t violate it. Simple as that. Aside from your clean travel history, there are also a couple of other requirements.

1.         The traveler must have a reason to enter the Schengen area multiple times. (Is being a regular tourist a reason good enough? We still don’t have the answer to that.)

2.         The traveler must have a clean visa history, no violations of visas.

3.         The traveler must have a clean criminal record at home.

4.         The travel must present traveler’s insurance for the first trip.

 Seems fair enough. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Simple steps to get a Schengen Visa:

 

Schengen Visa Itinerary has been a part of more than one million travel dreams. We offer a superior, quick and hassle-free Schengen Visa Facilitation service. With a highly professional and dedicated team of Travel visa Experts, we are here to cater to all your Schengen Visa application requirements

Throughout your visa process, you will have a dedicated Visa Expert handling your application.

Here are the steps to apply for a Schengen Visa through Akbar Travels:

Step 1: Provide your travel details to our Visa Expert and get all your queries answered.

Step 2: Pay the visa fee and upload your documents online through our secured online document locker to ensure its confidentiality.

Step 3: Our Visa Expert will verify the documents, complete your visa application and schedule your appointment.

Step 4: On the appointment day visit the Visa Application Center (VAC) to submit your Biometrics (fingerprinting & photograph) and documents.

Step 5: Receive your Visa.

Basic Requirements to visit Schengen

•           Have a valid Passport and valid Schengen Visa;

•           Be in good health;

•           Good moral character;

•           Be able to convince the immigration officer that you have your family, property, assets, etc. that would serve as an incentive to come back to your home country;

•           Be able to convince the immigration officer that you will leave the country before your Schengen visa expires;

•           Have sufficient funds to support yourself and the amount depends on how long you will stay in the Schengen area and whether you will be staying with family, friends or any paid accommodation.

Travel Checklist

•           Passport;

•           Valid Schengen Visa;

•           Confirmed return Ticket;

•           Contact details of your relative, friends or business contact in the Schengen country;

•           Confirmed hotel bookings (If Any);

•           Schengen country Currency and other forms of forex;

•           An unlocked smartphone, preferable with a Sim card from India;

•           Any additional documents required to prove your purpose of visit (especially if you are travelling on a business Visa).

What to do when you arrive in the Schengen country

•           Keep your Declaration form in hand (provided to you on the flight);

•           Keep all travel documents (passport, valid Schengen Visa, return ticket, hotel bookings etc.) ready in case the immigration officer asks to produce any document.

•           If you are an unaccompanied minor, make sure you stay with the flight attendant who is in charge of your safety. Additionally, you must recognize the adult picking you up at the airport. If you have any doubts, you must inform the airline staff immediately...

Schengen country travel guide

A Schengen Visa is best described as a single point Visa Access document for entering all the Twenty-Six Schengen Countries. This visa is issued by the designated visa offices to the applicant/visitor for visiting/travelling to and within the Schengen Area.

What are the basics about the Schengen Area and Where to apply for a Schengen visa in India?

 

Indians are now travelling more than ever. Europe is undoubtedly the first choice for many from India. Ask any avid traveler from India, they would have a bucket list filled with places to see in Europe. If you see by the data, the number of people travelling to Europe from India has doubled since 2014. So how do you travel to Europe? Of course, Indian passport holders are required to obtain Visas from the respective embassies. But there’s a convenient setup among 26 European countries who form the Schengen area of Europe. It is enough for Indian Passport holders to obtain a Schengen Visa to visit all these nations.

Basics about the Schengen area

According to a border agreement named Schengen Area Agreement, 26 European countries allow EU citizens to travel freely within the area. And for Non-EU citizens, with proper Schengen Visa, they are allowed to travel freely within the Schengen area for a limited period of 90 days within six months of issue of the Visa. Non-EU citizens with a Schengen Visa can have multiple entries up to the 90 days period out of the 180 days Visa period.

With proper documentation, you can obtain Schengen Visa from India from the embassy of the country which is your entry point to the Europe trip. Alternatively, you can obtain Schengen Visa from India from the embassy of the country where you will spend the maximum days of your Europe trip. Make sure to choose the right type of Visa as per your purpose of travel.

From the magical streets of France to the stunning landscapes of Switzerland, there’s so much magic within the list of Schengen countries. Here’s the list of 26 countries under Schengen Area.

Trivia: Schengen is the name of a village in Luxembourg bordering with both France and Germany. As the historic agreement was first signed at the village, the agreement was named after the village.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa in India?

•           As mentioned in the basics about the Schengen area, you will have to choose a country in the Schengen area to apply for a Schengen area.

•           According to the rules, if you are visiting one country alone, you will have to apply to that particular country’s embassy. If you are visiting more than one country, choose either the first country you enter or the country you are going to spend the most days in.

•           After you have chosen a Schengen country to apply, visit Embassy World Wide to find a list of embassies and consulates of the respective country in India. So, make sure you choose the right embassy/consulate/VAC of the country and double-check if you fall under the jurisdiction of it.

•           Next step is to visit the website of the embassy/consulate you have chosen and download the Visa application form.

•           Next, you will have to submit the filled Visa application form to the chosen embassy/consulate/VAC.

•           Check with the website to know where visa submission takes place, as the visa submission process regulations differ with each country. It can be its embassy, consulate or outsourced visa center acting as visa submission point.

Complete Guide about the Types of Schengen Visa

 

First of all, it is essential to choose the type of Schengen Visa based on your purpose of travel. Make a note that there are different limitations that apply to a particular Visa type. Let me break down the types of Schengen Visas available for your travel from India to Europe.

1. Uniform Schengen Visas (USV)

This Visa obtained from one of the Schengen countries can be used to travel any Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within 6 months of visa issue. This visa can be obtained in the form of a single entry, double-entry or multiple-entry as per the purpose of travel. Single-entry allows the visa holder to enter the Schengen area only once, while the double-entry visa holder can enter the Schengen area twice within 6 months of issue. Multiple-entry visa allows the visa holder to enter and exit the Schengen area multiple times as long as he adheres to the 90/180 rule. The multiple-entry visa can be applied for 1-year, 3-year or 5-year period with the necessary documentation. But even with longer visa durations, you have to follow the 90/ 180 rule (i.e.) one cannot stay for more than 90 days within 180 days of the visa period.

Note: the number of entries is how many times you can enter the Schengen area as a whole and does not denote the number of countries you are allowed to enter.

2. Limited territorial validity visas (LTV)

This visa allows the holder to visit only the country which has issued the visa or countries which are specifically mentioned in the visa. The visa holder cannot enter the countries in the Schengen area that are not mentioned prior in the visa. This type of visa bars the holder from entering any Schengen state and is a special type of visa issued for peculiar cases.

3. National Visas

This visa is given to students or professionals willing to study or work residing in one of the Schengen countries. This visa is issued in the form of both single-entry and multiple-entry. With multiple-entry National visa, one can enter and exit the particular Schengen country as he/she pleases and also can travel within the Schengen area freely. But this visa is only given to people meeting certain criteria and purpose of travel.

Quick tip: Though the number of entries and time permitted are stamped in the visa, it’s the best to have a clear calculation of how many days you spend in the Schengen area. Because a violation of 90/180 rule leads to deportation and fine, depending on the country you are in.

Based on the purpose of travel, types of visas are divided as follows, make sure you mention clearly the type of visa you need in the application form,

1.         Transit visa: this visa is for people who need to travel through the Schengen country airport without entering the country.

2.         Tourism visa: this visa is for people who travel to the Schengen countries for exploring the place and culture, and spending a holiday there.

3.         Visa for Visiting Family or Friends: this visa is for people who are travelling to Schengen countries to visit their family or friends who legally reside there. You will need a letter of invitation and some additional documents for this type of visa.

4.         Business visa: this visa is for people who travel for business purposes. It has a benefit as even during peak seasons business visas get quicker visa appointments.

5.         Visa for Culture and Sports activities or Film crews: This visa is for people who travel to participate in any form of cultural or sports events in the Schengen countries. People belonging to a film crew who has planned a shoot in the Schengen countries can also avail this type of visa.

6.         Visa for Official Visits: This visa is for people who are travelling on fulfilling an official duty from his country.

7.         Study visa: This visa is for students who are willing to take up educational courses in Schengen countries.

8.         Visa for Medical Reasons: This visa is for people visiting any of the Schengen visa countries for medical treatment.

 

Flight booking and travel itinerary for a Schengen visa; why are they required?

 

Introduction

A flight booking and travel itinerary are key documentary requirements for a Schengen visa. In this article, we discuss the relevance of these documents in an application for a Schengen visa. Depending on the purpose of your visit, your visa may be refused if you fail to submit either of these documents.

What is a Travel Itinerary?

An itinerary is simply a document that details your travel plans. It usually provides details of hotel bookings, flight arrangements, and daily activities or schedules for the duration of your stay. An itinerary is only required for journeys undertaken for tourism or private purposes. It must usually specify the places you intend to visit by way of schedule of activities.

Article 14(1)(a) of the Visa Code states an applicant for a Schengen visa shall present documents indicating the purpose of the journey. Further, Annex II(A) (3) (b) of the Code states that for journeys undertaken for tourism or personal reasons, the applicant must submit documentation relating to their itinerary.

The Visa Code describes itinerary to include “confirmation of the booking of an organized trip or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans.”

Bookings on organized trip or tour guides and tickets for entry into tourist sites could be submitted as evidence of itinerary.

A key requirement of an itinerary is that it must be plausible. The schedule of activities must be arranged in a manner as to make your plans credible. For example, it may be more reasonable to visit tourist sites that are in close proximity to one another on a particular day, rather than a disjointed schedule of visits that are miles apart from each another and lacks coherence. If your itinerary is implausible or disjointed, this may raise doubts about the credibility of the purpose of your visit and may cause your visa to be refused.

Another requirement is that the duration of the itinerary must be consistent with your travel dates. Specifically, it must be consistent with the travel dates as shown on the visa application form, flight booking, hotel reservation, and travel medical insurance. If your itinerary shows discrepancies with travel dates shown on other documentation, your visa may be refused.

What is a Flight Booking?

A flight booking is a document that shows that you have booked a place on an airline to travel at a future date. It specifies your departure and return dates, and any connecting flights, if applicable. You must submit a flight booking regardless of the purpose of the visit. You can make a flight reservation either by yourself or through an agent.

Article 14(d) of the Visa Code states that an applicant shall present information enabling an assessment of their intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa. And Annex II B (1) of the Visa Code lists “reservation of or return or round ticket” as one of the documentations that may be submitted in proof of intention to return. A flight booking is, therefore, a key documentary requirement for a Schengen visa. You must consider this information when making a flight reservation either by yourself or through an agent:

• The document must specify your name;

• It must clearly show your arrival and departure dates and times;

• It must show the flight name and a valid reservation number;

• It must show details of any connecting flights;

• It is must show a return reservation. A one-way reservation will not meet the requirement.

• Your travel dates must be consistent with the dates on your visa application form or other supporting document. If there are discrepancies, this may lead to a refusal;

• Do not buy a ticket unless the Embassy specifically requests you to do so.

Conclusion

A Schengen visa is generally a documentary application. However, it is not sufficient to provide documentation merely because they are required. Keeping these details in mind may save you time and unnecessary expense that may result from a refusal.

Schengen Visa Application Form Guide: How to apply for Schengen Visa

With the Schengen visa, you can travel to 26 countries in Europe. The countries in the Schengen agreement allow for free movement of people from one country to another. Let’s take an example. Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary – these 4 countries belong to the Schengen zone and you are allowed to travel and stay in any of these countries for a period of 90 days.

If you are planning to visit multiple countries, your visa application should be submitted to the country where you will be staying the longest. Let’s take this example, ‘Mike” is visiting Paris, Luxembourg and Amsterdam. He flies (return trip) to Paris and stays there for 3 days, 6 days in Amsterdam and 2 days in Luxembourg. Mike will apply to the Netherlands (Amsterdam) consulate for Visa.

 

Helpful Tips on Applying for Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa is issued as a single entry or a multiple entry visa.

•           A single-entry visa allows its holder to visit a country or countries within a Schengen zone. Once they exit the country, the visa is no longer valid. In the above example, if you visit Germany and then travel to Austria and Hungary – you are still in one Schengen zone.               A single-entry visa is sufficient for a short stay if you do not leave the Schengen zone (for the entire trip).

•           A multiple entry visa allows you to travel in and out of the Schengen zone multiple times. The thing to keep in mind is that – the visa holder can stay in the designated Schengen zone up to 90 days within half the year. Another example, if you plan on getting a return ticket to Paris (France), then travel to UK and back to Paris (or any other Schengen zone country), then you would require a double or multiple visa (depending on how many times you wish to leave and re-enter the Schengen country)

About the Schengen Visa Travel Insurance

Introduction

Schengen states have made it mandatory for all the applicants to avail visa travel insurance as it helps in coping with mammoth expenses in case of any unforeseen medical complication. Besides, visa travel insurance provides financial security to backpackers so that they can fully enjoy their journey without any anxiety.

Travel Medical Insurance Criteria

•           The availed medical insurance must cover minimum expenses equivalent to 30000 EUR or 50000 USD.

•           Travel medical insurance should be valid in all member states of the Schengen Area.

•           It should cover all expenses pertaining to repatriation for medical reasons, medical emergency, treatment in hospital and death.

It is pertinent here to mention that not all travelers are obliged to avail the insurance. Rather, it is compulsory only for visa nationalities.

The aforesaid group is bound to avail medical insurance regardless if they are traveling to the Schengen Area on the visit, tourism, business, study or any other visa.

The citizens of those countries who enjoy visa-free procedures with EU are not bound to avail the policy. Medical insurance is optional for them and embassies or consulates do not demand it from them.

Travel Visa Insurance is a must when applying for a Schengen Visa

Extract from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009”, which entered into force on April 5 of 2010:

“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.

 The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000” (…)

 

States Covered by Schengen Travel Insurance

The Schengen medical insurance covers the following states:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Schengen Area

Schengen Area is a borderless, passport-free zone comprising 26 countries of Europe. Till date, the Schengen Area remains the world’s largest visa-free zone in the world.

Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that enables its holder to travel 26 European countries which are part of Schengen Area. Authorities concerned will not subject holder of a Schengen Visa to border checks at internal borders of the Schengen countries.

Which Schengen Country’s Embassy Should You Apply For?

There’s a predetermined order that needs to be followed while choosing the embassy to file your Schengen visa application.

1.         If you plan to travel only one country in the Schengen zone, apply at the embassy of the country you intend to visit. Quite obvious, I know 🙂

2.         If you are going to travel to more than one Schengen state, apply at the embassy of the country you intend to spend the maximum number of days in, called as the main or primary destination.

3.         If you mean to spend the equal number of days in two or more Schengen countries, apply at the embassy of the country you propose to enter the Schengen area through, called as the port of entry.

Denmark Embassy also handles the visa process for Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands and Greenland though part of Kingdom of Denmark is not the part of Schengen Region. So, you can’t enter here based on your Schengen visa.

You have to write a different cover letter along with the Schengen visa cover letter and choose multiple entry visa if Greenland or Faroe Islands are part of your travel plan.

You need a Schengen Visa issued by the Danish Consulate with a sticker mentioning that it’s valid for the Faroe Islands or/and Greenland too.

Apply through Danish VFS and mention on the application form Greenland or the Faroe Islands as the main destination.

Svalbard is not a part of the Schengen treaty system. To visit Svalbard, one needs a Schengen visa with two or multiple entries.

Svalbard is visa-free but Schengen Visa is required because you have to enter and exit the Schengen region while traveling to this Norwegian archipelago.

Another stratagem is to choose the country with a lower Schengen visa rejection rate.

France and Germany are known to be the fastest of the lot, however, Spain is infamous for being the toughest to grant Schengen Visa. Greece is known for its higher than normal share of personal interviews.

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Iceland, Slovakia, Poland, Finland, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic have the lowest Schengen visa rejection rate which ranges from 0.5% to 2.5 %.

Poland is the easiest country to apply for a Schengen Visa from India with the fastest visa processing rate.

It’s a safe bet to check the embassy toughness index before zeroing down on the country to apply.

How long does it take for a Schengen Visa to be approved and How long is a Schengen Visa valid?

There is no fixed period, and it depends a great deal on several different factors. Hence it is advisable that the embassies be provided enough time for processing the visa. In some cases, it may take only a couple of weeks, while others have reported having to wait up to two months to get their visas.

During peak seasons, there are a lot of tourists visiting the Schengen countries, so the embassies are required to deal with tons of applications. These are some of the factors that one needs to take into consideration before applying. Also, the application is submitted should be complete so that any unwanted delays are avoided later.

How much does it cost to apply for a Schengen Visa?

The cost of applying for a Schengen Visa will depend entirely on the prevailing exchange rate between the local currency and Euros and is likely to change from time to time. It is also important to note that payments made for a visa are non-refundable. Usually, no fee is applicable for kids under the age of 6 years.

 Applicants should also inquire with the embassy if there are any additional charges that they need to pay. The payment is mostly taken in cash, and there is a reluctance among the embassy workers to provide change, so it is advisable to carry the exact amount while proceeding for the application.

How long is a Schengen Visa valid?

The validity of the Schengen Visa is for a maximum period of 90 days. Those planning to travel to multiple countries during the period or having intentions of traveling in and out of the Schengen Zone should remember to mark the “multiple entry” option in the application form. Applicants receiving approval for multiple entries are given a visa valid for six months, which means that they can travel in and out of the Schengen Zone for 90 days within a 6-month period.

 

WHAT COUNTRIES REQUIRED A SCHENGEN VISA TO VISIT THE SCHENGEN AREA?

 

If you are not one from one of the next 62 countries, you will need a Schengen visa: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

However, in 2021, the European visa situation will change. Travelers from certain countries will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), while others will need a Schengen Visa. The whole situation can be rather complex and confusing, so to help you, below is an explanation of the Schengen Visa vs. the ETIAS.

SCHENGEN VISA VS. ETIAS

The Schengen Visa currently allows travelers who can’t visit Schengen countries without a visa to travel around Europe. This visa will continue to serve that purpose even after 2021.

On the other hand, the ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization designed to strengthen travel security in Europe (not only in the Schengen Area).

It is specifically geared toward citizens of the 62 countries mentioned above who do not currently need a visa to travel to and around Europe.

Starting in 2021, these travelers who can currently travel to Europe without a visa will need authorization in order to travel to Europe. This will be a big change for citizens of countries like the United States, who can currently travel to Europe without even having to worry about any kind of visa.

Basically, travelers who have always used the Schengen Visa to travel to Europe will still need a Schengen Visa after 2021. However, travelers from the 62 countries who, prior to 2021, never needed a visa to travel to Europe will, starting in 2021, need to obtain either ETIAS approval or a Schengen Visa. Travelers do not need both.

Note: Citizens of the U.K. will also need ETIAS to visit other countries in Europe if Brexit goes through in October 2019.

 

WHICH EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WILL REQUIRE ETIAS?

ETIAS doesn’t only apply to the Schengen area but to some other countries in Europe too. These are the European countries that will require ETIAS upon arrival: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, Malta, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

In the next map, you will see all the countries that require ETIAS. Some of them belong to the European Union, some of them to the Schengen Area but not the European Union and some of them to the European Union but not the Schengen area.