Applying for a Schengen Visa in India – EU Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Do Indians need a visa to enter Europe?

Yes, Indian passport holders are required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to enter any European country in the Schengen Zone.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from India?

You will have to follow a step-by-step guideline to apply for a Schengen visa in India. The application procedure to obtain a Schengen visa in India is pretty similar to that in every other country in the world.

In order to apply for a Schengen visa from India you must follow these steps:

1. Figure out which Schengen visa type you need. There are different Schengen visa types depending on your purpose of traveling from India to Europe.
2. Find out where you need to apply for a Schengen visa in India. Pay attention to the embassy / consulate / VAC of which country you need to apply at, as well as under the jurisdiction of which you fall.
3. Decide when to apply for a Schengen visa in India. The earliest time you can lodge your Schengen visa application in India is 3 months before your planned trip while, the latest time to file you visa application is at least 15 working days before you intend to travel to Europe.
4. Collect the required Schengen visa documents for Indian citizens.
5. Appoint an interview at visa application center in India. Depending on the country, you may make an appointment online, through phone, or on person. Below in this article, you can find more information for each EU embassy/consulate located in India.
6. Attend the interview on the day of your appointment. Show up on time and try not to be nervous. Remember that the interview is a crucial part of your visa application.
7. Pay the visa fee. All Schengen states have fixed and synchronized visa fees. For more information check Schengen visa fees for Indian citizens.
8. Wait for the processing of your visa. After the interview, you will have to wait for at most 15 days, for a response on your application.

All Schengen visa applications submitted by Indians are processed by the embassies/consulates in India.

Schengen Visa Requirements for Indian Passport Holders

When applying for a Schengen visa in India, you will have to submit a number of required documents. These documents are crucial; therefore, you really need to be careful when collecting them. Make sure they all comply with the standards set by the embassy where you are applying.

To apply for a Schengen visa in India, you need to submit the following documents:

• Download the visa application form. Fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
• Two recently taken photos must be attached. The photos should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about visa photo requirements for Indian citizens.
• A valid Indian passport or other travel document.  No older than 10 years, with a validity of at least 3 more months beyond your planned date of leaving Europe.
• Evidence of legal residence in India. – as a national ID card, or residence permit.
• Travel Insurance for Schengen visa in India – You can book online through MAWISTA by ALLIANZ or via any travel insurance company in India that meets the following requirements: Medical coverage of at least Euro 30,000. Medical evacuation/ repatriation must be covered.
• A cover letter stating the purpose of visit and itinerary.
• Flight itinerary reservation from India to Europe and back. Including dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the specified state/states. Learn how to get a flight reservation for visa from India.
• Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay. Learn more about Hotel Booking for Visa application here.
• Proof of civil status. (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay.

 

Additional Schengen Visa Requirements based on your Employment Status in India

Depending on your occupational status in India, you will need to submit the following additional documents when applying for a visa to Europe from India:

If you are employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement, of latest 6 months (Online Bank statements are not acceptable).
• Leave permission from your employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license in India
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of enrollment
• No-objection certificate from your Indian school or university

If retired:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

• Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied by the rest of the mandatory documents, then handed personally at the correct Embassy/Consulate or its representatives in India.

Other specific requirements when applying for a different Schengen visa type in India:

• Business visa requirements for Indians
• Tourist visa requirements for Indians
• Visitor visa requirements for Indians

Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa in India?

The EU countries have established their embassies, consulates and visa application centers all around India, which are responsible on the admission and procession of visa applications made by Indians. However, not everyone can apply for a Schengen visa in India.

Only the following are eligible to file their visa applications at the Schengen embassies / consulates / VACs in India

• Indian passport holders
• Nationals of third-world countries, which are required to obtain a visa to Europe, living in India under a permanent or temporary residence permit

Which Member State Examines and Decides on my Visa Application?

The Member State competent for deciding on your visa application must be:

• The Member State that is your sole destination of visit
• The Member State whose territory is the main destination of your visit (as far as length or purpose of stay), or
• The Member State whose borders you intend to cross first to enter the Schengen Area

What if the Schengen country you intend to visit has no Embassy/Consulate in India?

In this case or if the present Embassy/Consulate in India is not currently issuing visas, then your Schengen visa application should be submitted to the Schengen member state “representing” this specific country regarding visas.

Applications can be submitted to:

• Schengen visa application for Greece from Goa must be submitted to the Portuguese Consulate General in Goa, India.
• Schengen visa application for Slovakia from Mumbai must be submitted at the Hungarian General Consulate in Mumbai, India.
• Schengen visa application for Slovenia from Goa must be submitted at the Portugal General Consulate in Goa, India.
• Schegen visa application for Iceland must be submitted at the Danish Embassy in New Delhi, India.
• Schengen vsa application must be submitted at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi, India.

What if I apply at the Member State or Consulate that is not competent for deciding on my Visa Application?

In such cases, the Consular post will, without delay, return the application form and any other documents submitted by the applicant, reimburse the visa fee, and indicate in which competent consulate you should apply next.

Schengen Visa Fees for Indian Passport holders in Indian Rupees and in EUR

Visa Category Visa Fee in INR Visa Fee in Euro Schengen Visa (Adult) 4400 60 Schengen Visa (Child between 06-12 years of age) 2600 35

* The applicable visa fee in Indian Rupees is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice.

You can contact the Embassy to check whether they pay with credit card, as some Embassies have incorporated this method of payment.

Visa Fees are waived for:

• Indian children under 6 years of age,
• Indian pupils, graduate and postgraduate students as well as accompanying children, who undertake the journey for educational training and study purposes,
• Up to 25-year-old representatives of non-profit organizations travelling as participants in seminars, sports, cultural or educational events by other-non profit organizations, and conferences,
• Indian researchers travelling to carry out scientific research,

The following Indian applicants may also be waived the visa fee:

• Holders of diplomatic and service passports,
• 25-year-old participants of sports, cultural or educational events, seminars – organized by other non-profit organizations.
• Children of ages 6 up to 12

Any other information on additional visa fee waivers for specific applicant category and visa fee waivers provided by the Schengen states, should be sought on the websites of each individual Member State.

When to Apply for a Schengen Visa from India?

The allowed period to apply for a Schengen visa in India is as following:

• The earliest you can file a visa application: three months before you start your planned trip.
• The latest you can file a visa application: at most 15 working days before you intend to travel to Europe.
• The recommended time to file a visa application: at least three weeks before your trip.

Do I Need a Visa Appointment in order to Submit my Application?

Yes, Indian applicants are need to make an appointment with the specific Embassy/Consulate in India, in order to deliver the visa application.

How long does it take to get a Schengen Visa in India?

Applications should be made final within 15 calendar days from the date you submitted the visa application in the corresponding Embassy/Consulate in India.

This period may be extended up to 30 days, especially in cases when further requirements are made to the applicant. In some rare cases, it may lead up to 60 days, the maximum.

What should I do if my visa gets refused?

If you have been refused a visa, you have the right to appeal! All appeals must be conducted against the final decisive Member State in accordance with the national law of the specified EU Member State.

Every Member State, upon refusal, indicates the references to their exact national laws and the specific procedure that is related to the right of appeal, as well as the authorities with which you should appeal and the time limit for delivering the appeal.

Find out 12 Common Reasons Why Visa Applications Get Rejected!

What documents should I bring with me when travelling on a Schengen Visa?

At the external borders, all Indian citizens holding an EU visa can be requested to show the documents that justify the purpose and the conditions of their stay as well as proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the period intended to travel and stay as well as for returning to India or transit to a third state, for which you possess proof of admission.

If you do not have the above-mentioned documents, you must acquire such means lawfully!

Which EU countries can Indian citizens visit with a Schengen Visa?

Indian citizens holding a valid Schengen visa are allowed to visit the 26 Schengen countries:

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

Can an Indian citizen living in the UK apply for a Schengen visa from the UK?

Only Indian passport holders that have been legally residing in the United Kingdom for more than three months and hold a valid UK residence permit can apply for a Schengen visa in the UK. Non-residents such as Indian travelers and Indian tourists who plan on staying in the UK for three months should apply for a Schengen visa in India.

For Indian Citizens living in the US, please read: Applying for a Schengen Visa in the United States as an Indian passport holder.