Schengen Visa for Indians

27 member nations or countries of the Schengen Agreement are accessible with a Schengen Visa. There are 27 member nations in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are members of the European Union, while the remaining four are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Since the controls are based on predetermined criteria in accordance with the Schengen agreement, the member states do not conduct border checks at their internal borders. 

The Schengen Area/Zone is defined by the Schengen Agreement where the members allow free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, services, and capital, based on common rules. The members share common travel and movement rights which helps them in controlling external borders by strengthening the common judicial system and police cooperation. The Schengen Zone consists of the following members -

Features of the Schengen Zone

The abolition of borders between the members of the Schengen area benefits the citizens and the governments in various ways. Few of the features of the Schengen Zone are listed below -

1. Within the Schengen Zone, the citizens of any country can liberally cross the internal borders without any border checks (subject to valid Schengen Visa or permit).
2. The members share common standards for crossing the external borders.
3. Police and Judicial collaboration to fight crime effectively.
4. The presence of Schengen Information System (SIS), a unique database to share information pertaining to individuals, goods, criminals, etc.
5. Borders checks can be introduced for a maximum of 30 days, if required.

Security System of the Schengen Zone

Strong security procedures have been put in place in the Schengen Area to safeguard the populace against fraud, criminal activity, etc. The Visa Information System (VIS), Schengen Information System (SIS), and European Dactyloscopy (EURODAC) security system enable the members to create and share a database for a variety of purposes.

The members can access information on individuals entering the Schengen Zone, those marked for criminal activity, and individuals barred from entering the Schengen Zone thanks to the database. The following is a list of each system's specifics:

Visa Information System (VIS) - Collects and exchanges information of short-stay visa applications.

• Supports Visa Issuance and Border Check Processes
• Protects Schengen Travelers
• Supports with Asylum Applications
• Improves security measures

Schengen Information System (SIS) - Collects and exchanges information of people who are suspected to be criminals along with data of people who are not allowed to enter/reside in the Schengen Zone. Moreover, it collects information pertaining to stolen/lost assets and missing people.

• Allows Collaboration of Border Control and Law Enforcement
• Supports Vehicle Registration Collaboration
• European Dactyloscopy (EURODAC) - A fingerprint database to identify asylum seekers and illegal border-crossers.
• Supports applications of Asylum Seekers
• Supports VIS
• Avoids, identifies, and explores crimes, terrorism, and other threats

Schengen Visa Eligibility Criteria

All Indian citizens and citizens of other nations who are currently residing in India can apply for a Schengen Visa in India. The citizens of the following countries are required to apply for a Schengen Visa in order to visit any of the Schengen member states -

Nationalities of the following countries require an airport transit visa in order to change the aero plane at an airport in a Schengen Area country during the course of their travel -

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka

Application Process for the Schengen Visa

The completed application form along with the required documents need to be submitted by the Embassy/Consulate or its representatives in India. The following list mentions the required details for the application of the Schengen Visa -

Filled in application form (option of online and physical forms) with the following details -

1. Surname/family name as per the passport
2. Surname/family name at birth, if different from present name
3. First Name(s) as per the passport
4. Date of Birth in MM.DD.YYYY format
5. Place of Birth as per the passport
6. Country of Birth
7. Current Nationality, if different from nationality at Birth
8. Gender
9. Marital status
10. If the applicant is a minor, then details such as full name, address, and nationality of the person holding legal guardianship or parental authority is required on the form.
11. National Identity Number, if applicable
12. Travel Document Type with options ranging from Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport, Service Passport, Official Passport, and Special Passport to Other types of travel documents.
13. Travel Document Number along with, date of issue, valid until, and issuing authority.
14. Applicant mailing address along with the email address and Telephone Number
15. Details of residence in another country, if the applicant lived in a country other than the current nationality.
16. Current Occupation
17. Details of Employer or Educational Institution
18. Purpose for the Trip whether it's Tourism, Business, Official Visit, Medical Treatment, Study, Transit, visit Family/Friends, Cultural, Sports, Transit/Airport Transit, or any other.
19. Destination Member State
20. Member Stte of first entry
21. Number of Entries required
22. Duration of the intended stay or transit indicate number of days
23. Details of Schengen Visas Issued during the past three years.
24. Fingerprints
25. Details of Entry Permit for the Final Destination Country, if applicable
26. Arrival Date
27. Departure Date
28. Details of the invitation
29. Details of Travel and Living Expenses
30. Personal details of a Family Member who is residing in a European Union, EEA, or Swiss National
31. Signature along with Date and Location
    1. Two photographs of the applicant as per the visa application guidelines
    2. Applicant's passport with at least three months of validity after the return date and copies of the previous visas, if any.
    3. A €30,000 travel insurance coverage with validity across the Schengen area.
    4. The itinerary and a cover letter stating the purpose of the visit.
    5. Details of flight itinerary including flight numbers and dates of travel along with entry and exit details.
    6. Details of accommodation during the entire visit.
    7. Details of marital status.
    8. Proof of sufficient financial funds to support the visit and all other expenses.
32. Additional documents for applicants who are:
    1. Employed - Employment contract, current bank statement of latest 6 months, leave permission from your employer, Income Tax Return (ITR) form, etc.
    2. Self-employed - A copy of your business license in India, company bank statement of the latest 6 months, and Income Tax Return (ITR).
    3. Students: Proof of enrollment and no-objection certificate from school or university.
    4. Retired - Pension statement of the latest 6 months

Schengen Visa Fees for Indian Passport Holders

The Schengen Visa fee is a non-refundable mandatory fee which differs based on the type of the visa and the applicant's country. Most embassy/consulates allow multiple payment methods such as cash, debit and credit cards, etc.

The cost of the visa is based on the going exchange rate. Indian undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students traveling for academic training and study are exempt from paying the visa fee. Also, anyone under the age of 25 who are asking for a visa for non-profit participation in conferences, sporting activities, cultural events, or educational events do not have to pay the visa cost. In addition, Indian researchers who travel to any Schengen Member to do scientific study are exempt from paying the visa charge. To learn more about other visa waiver programs, applicants are urged to visit the websites of specific Schengen states.

Schengen Visa Types

There are various types of Schengen Visas which determine the validity and limitation of the visit. Based on the consulate/embassy of the member which issues the visa, the validity and rules may differ. The Schengen Visa is broadly divided into the following three categories -

1. Uniform Schengen Visas (USV) - The holder of this type of visa is permitted to transit through or remain in the Schengen region for up to 90 days within a six-month period beginning on the date of entrance. Depending on the intended use of the trip, a visa may be obtained for passing through a Schengen country's airport without entering the nation or for a set amount of time within the Schengen Area according to the visa's validity. The short-term visa is under the "C" category, whereas the Schengen Airport Transit Visa belongs to the "A" category. The short-term visas can be obtained under the following schemes -
   1. Single-entry - The holder of a single-entry visa is only permitted one entry into the Schengen Area throughout the duration of the visa. The validity of the visa ends whenever the holder departs the Schengen Area.
   2. Double-entry - The visa holder may visit the Schengen Area twice during the allotted time period, depending on the validity of the visa. The visa expires when the holder departs the Schengen Area a second time.
   3. Multiple-entry - The visa holder can choose to enter and leaves the Schengen Area multiple times within the specified duration. The Uniform Schengen Visa is applicable for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
2. Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV)-LTV allows the visa holder to enter and visit a specific country in the Schengen Zone. The visa holder cannot enter any other area of the Schengen Zone which is not specified in the visa. LTV is issued in very few instances such as the non-availability of a valid travel document or other humanitarian reasons.
3. National Visas - The National Visas are issued to individuals such as students and professionals who need to reside in a Schengen country for a specific period of time. National Visas can be obtained under single-entry and multiple-entry schemes.

Under the three categories of Schengen Visa, the following types of visa are granted to the applicants -

1. Tourist Schengen Visa
2. Business Schengen Visa
3. Student Schengen Visa
4. Working Schengen Visa
5. Transit Schengen Visa

Tourist Schengen Visa - An individual must apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa before traveling to any country in the Schengen Area, whether it's to visit family or friends or for leisure. Unless otherwise specified on the visa, the visa holder may stay in a Schengen nation for a maximum of three months after the visa has been accepted. Unless specifically stated otherwise, this type of visa does not permit the holder to work within the Schengen Area.

The citizens from the specified countries are required to apply for a short-term Tourist Schengen Visa when they wish to travel to any of the Schengen Zone. Whether the visa is obtained under the single-entry or multiple-entry scheme, the visa holder is not allowed to stay for more than 90 days in a six-month period from the date of entering the Schengen Zone.

Documents Required for Tourist Schengen Visa

Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process -

1. One passport format photograph with a light background where the complete face is captured.
2. A valid passport with three months of validity from the departure date. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
3. Copy of the confirmed airline ticket for the return journey.
4. Travel visa insurance policy which is valid in all Schengen countries. In the event of visa application rejection, the applicant can claim for a refund after cancelling it.
5. Proof of accommodation.
6. Latest bank statement for the past six months.
7. Official affidavit of support is applicable for applicants who will require financial support for their visit.
8. Details of the travel plan.
9. First-time travelers need to submit additional documents.
10. Invitation letter, if applicable.

Depending on the particular Schengen country the applicant will be entering first and residing the most number of days during the visit, the visa application will need to be submitted at that particular consulate/embassy in India. Applicants are advised to apply for the Tourist Schengen Visa at least two weeks prior to the departure date of the travel.

Tourist Visa Validity- A maximum of 90 days can be spent living in the Schengen Area for those with Tourist Visas. The holder of the visa may enter and exit the Schengen area in accordance with whether it is a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. The visa holder must reapply at the consulate or embassy if he or she intends to stay in a Schengen Area for a period longer than 90 days.

Business Schengen Visa - In order to visit any of the Schengen Area for the sole purpose of business, the individual must apply for a Business Schengen Visa. The visa is issued under business specifications of the short-term visa scheme.

Documents Required for Business Schengen Visa

Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process -

1. One passport format photograph with a light background where the complete face is captured.
2. A valid passport with three months of validity from the departure date. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
3. Copy of the confirmed airline ticket for the return journey.
4. Travel visa insurance policy which is valid in all Schengen countries. In the event of visa application rejection, the applicant can claim for a refund after cancelling it.
5. Proof of accommodation.
6. Latest bank statement for the past six months.
7. Official affidavit of support is applicable for applicants who will require financial support for their visit.
8. Details of the travel plan.
9. First-time travelers need to submit additional documents.
10. Invitation letter, if applicable.
11. A brief profile of the applicant's working place(company/organization)
12. Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy/trade license/proprietorship or partnership documents.
13. Proof of Accommodation and other documents based on the consulate/embassy.

Business Visa Validity - The length of the applicant's stay between periods of six months may not exceed three months, or 90 days each year, depending on the nature of the applicant's request and the nature of the business. The visa application must be submitted at the specific consulate or embassy in India, depending on which Schengen nation the applicant will enter first and stay in for the greatest number of days during the visit. It is recommended that applicants apply for the Business Schengen Visa at least two weeks before the scheduled departure date.

Student Schengen Visa - The applicant must submit an application for a Student Schengen Visa if they are a student who want to study in one of the Schengen nations. Students from nations where entry into the Schengen region requires a visa must follow the application procedures laid out by the specific consulate or embassy of that nation.

Documents Required for Student Schengen Visa

Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process-

1. Valid travel documents such as passport with at least three months of validity from the travel date.
2. Proof of means of subsistence in either cash, traveler's cheque, credit card or any other means to support the entire duration of the stay.
3. Proof of accommodation
4. Details of the travel itinerary.
5. Medical/travel insurance valid for the entire stay.
6. Letter of acceptance from the university where the student intends to study.
7. Receipt of processing fee payment and other details as specified by the particular consulate/embassy.

Student Visa Validity - If the duration of the study exceeds 90 days period in order to complete the whole academic period, the applicant/student must also apply for a residency permit which will allow him/her to reside for a one-year period. Based on the Schengen country the student is visiting, he/she will be required to apply for the visa in that particular embassy/consulate in India. Applicants are advised to apply for a Student Schengen Visa at least three months prior to the planned travel date.

Working (Employment) Schengen Visa - Residence Permit - This type of visa allows the citizens from the non-Schengen countries to work in a Schengen country with the help of the Residence Permit. The applicant may reside alone or with his family in the specified Schengen country during the course of his/her employment. The citizens of Australia, Canada, USA, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and many other European countries can apply for their Residence Permit after entering the Schengen zone without a visa.

Documents Required for Working (Employment) Schengen Visa

Along with the filled in application form, the following details/documents are required for the application process-

1. One passport format photograph with a light background where the complete face is captured.
2. A valid passport with three months of validity from the departure date. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
3. Copy of the confirmed airline ticket for the return journey.
4. Travel visa insurance policy which is valid in all Schengen countries. In the event of visa application rejection, the applicant can claim for a refund after cancelling it.
5. Proof of accommodation.
6. A valid employment contract and other documents as specified by the particular Schengen country.

Working (Employment) Schengen Visa Validity - The applicants are advised to apply for a Working (Employment) Schengen Visa at least two months prior to the planned travel date. The visa issued on a long-term scheme which entitles the visa holder to all other benefits in the Schengen Zone as it applies to any other citizen of the Schengen Zone.

Transit Schengen Visa - In order to switch planes within the Schengen Zone, nationals of some nations must get a Transit Schengen Visa. Travelers who are changing planes while traveling from one non-Schengen nation to another non-Schengen country but are not entering the Schengen area are eligible for this sort of visa. The short-term visa category includes this kind of visa.

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