I have recently applied for Schengen Visa after a long wait and a lot of documentation. The process was not that complicated. I had to take help from my friends who have travelled to Europe in the past, some travel agents and few articles from VFS website.
But I couldn’t find proper consolidated information or a good Schengen Visa Guide for Europe Tourist Visa from India. So I decided to make one.
This guide is based on the research I did and experience that I had during my Schengen visa process which I applied from France. Most of the things are common for all during the process but some differ like appointment TAT, VFS fees etc.
Table of Contents
- How early you should start the Visa Process
- Where to apply your Europe Tourist Visa
- Fill the Visa Application Form
- Book Appointment
- Experience at VFS Centre
- Visa Fee
- Documents Required for Schengen Visa Appointment
How early you should start the Visa Process
Visa process takes time in general. For Schengen Visa, the time it will take for the whole Visa process depends on which country you live in and which country you are applying your Schengen Visa from.
During peak season, June, July and August, there is a huge backlog for processing Visa in many countries.
From what I have seen about the timelines when applying from India, you should start the process at least 60-70 days before your trip. Especially when you apply during peak season.
After submitting the Visa Application form online, the first appointment that was available for me was after more than 3 weeks. And the embassy takes at least 15-20 working days to process the visa.
So it is important that you check these timelines for your country of residence and the country of visit.
Where to apply your Europe Tourist Visa
Visiting only one Schengen country: If you are visiting only one Schengen country then you will apply it at the diplomatic representation of that country.
Visiting multiple Schengen countries: If you are planning to visit multiple countries during your Europe trip then you need to need to select the embassy based on the number of days you will be staying in the countries.
- You need to apply from the country where you will spend most of your days during your visit.
- If the number of days are equal in multiple countries then you need to apply Schengen Visa from the country where you will be visiting first.
Fill the Visa Application Form
You can download the form and fill it offline or you can apply Schengen Visa online on the country’s official visa website. To find the official website go to VFS Global site and select applying country and destination country.
Fill the form accurately with all the details that are requested in the application form. The details requested from one country can be different that the other.
Print the form in case of online application and sign it.
Book Appointment
One your Visa Application form is filled you fill have to book an appointment on VFS Global site for your country.
There are 15 centres all over India, choose which every is closest to you.
While booking the appointment you will have to mention the application number that you must have got while submitting the application form.
Also, you can book appointment for multiple people at the same time. I was travelling with my wife, so I booked only one appointment for both of us.
VFS Service Fee
You will have to pay applicable VFS service fee when booking appointment for your Schengen Visa. In my case, VFS centre at Delhi was charging INR 2588 per person.
Additional Services
Courier Assurance: This just gives you enhanced compensation if your passport gets lost or damaged during the transportation. This was priced at INR 770 pp.
Important: This VFS fees include SMS and Email updates for your application. And also it covers the courier fees for getting your passport back to you. But people at VFS will ask if you want to opt for this “Add on” service as if it was a courier service just to charge you more. You will have to mention them that you need normal courier service which you have already paid for and then he will give you a form to input the delivery information. If you don’t fill the form, you will have to collect your passport from the VFS centre.
Don’t fall in their trap of paying extra.
Experience at VFS Centre
I booked the earliest appointment of 9:00 AM. Reached the VFS centre 30 minutes earlier. There were good number of people for Schengen Visa that were waiting to get the tokens. But after the tokens were given, those people got divided into different countries.
For France, I was the only one. It tool almost half hour to reach to the France counter from the entrance at VFS. After that the representative asked for my docs one by one and after the mandatory docs he asked me if I want to submit any additional docs then I can do it. I showed him additional docs and he took it as he said those additional docs will be helpful. List of docs shared in next section.
Then we repeated the same process for my wife.
VISA Fee
Then we paid the VISA fees at the same counter which was around 6700 per person.
This whole process took only 15-20 minutes. And then we went to another room for biometric scans. Which took additional 5 minutes for both of our and then we were out of the VFS centre.
As per my experience, there is no need of any dedicated representative during the process at VFS centre. The process is simple and straight forward so you can opt out of premium lounge if you want.
Documents Required for Schengen Visa Appointment
I will segregate the documents in mandatory and additional documents as per my experience with the VFS representative for France Schengen Visa.
Mandatory Documents
Visa Application Form
You need to have the printout of your visa application form along with the registration receipt that you would get along with the application form printout. Make sure it is dated and signed.
Photograph
Most of the professional photographers will already know what the specifications are for a passport sized photo for VISA application but I am still sharing the details here:
- Recent two identical photos. Not older than six months.
- Photo size: 35x45mm.
- Coloured photograph.
- Head should take 70-80% of the photo.
- Brightly coloured background. Light grey is suggested.
Don’t paste the photos on the application form. Just hand it over to the representative when he asks for it.
Cover Letter
The cover letter will explain the representative who you are, why and where you are visiting and when you will come back.
The following are the things that your cover letter should cover:
- Purpose of your visit
- Duration of your visit
- Where you live
- Where you work
- Proof of how you will fund the trip
- The list of additional docs that you have attached
- Detailed itinerary – Attached sample below
Detailed Itinerary
This will be a very important document for your VISA application. So make sure your fill this with correct details.
Return Flight Reservations
You will need to have a copy of your flight booking including your return flight. The flights tickets need not to be confirmed. You can book dummy flights yourself or with the help of a travel agent.
Hotel Reservations
You will need to have a copy of all the hotel reservations for your stay. You can easily book hotels with 0 cancellation charge for many travel sites.
Travel Insurance
Copy of travel insurance for each applicant which should be valid for your full stay and should cover minimum €30,000.
Financial Proofs
The reason for asking Financial proofs by the embassy is just to know if actually will be able to afford your stay in the visiting country.
For Salaried individuals
- ITR of last 2 years
- Bank statement
- Salary Slips for last 3 months
For Company Owners
- Company Registration
- Bank Statement
Socio-Professional Proofs
Employment Proofs
- Employment/Offer letter
- Leave approval letter
Proof of marriage: You can give additional docs for your proof of marriage if you are travelling as a couple. You can give either of the docs mentioned below:
- Marriage Certificate
- Marriage Affidavit + Marriage photo + Marriage card copy
Additional Documents
Here are the list of additional documents which you should give to make your case stronger:
Travel History
If you have travelled in the past and have any other VISA and stamps on your passport, then you can attach a copy of those to show your travel history.
Funds Proof
- Credit cards statements to show your credit limit
- Summary of your investments done in mutual funds or deposits
Identity Cards
- PAN Card
- Aadhar Card
Do your research
Make sure you do your research. The process/documents might slightly differ if you apply for any other country and/or apply from any other country.
Happy Travelling!