Schengen Visa Application Requirements from India

Here is the list of visa requirements to be eligible for a Schengen visa from India:

Application form

The application form is a mandatory document that you need to apply for a Schengen visa from India. All the accurate information and data must be filled out in the form. You can easily find the form on the website of the application centres or embassies of the countries. You can download this form, fill out all the information, and sign the form.

**Indian passport (copy as well as the original) **

You must submit a copy of the passport as long as your original passport. The passport must have a validity of three months from when you leave the Schengen region. Moreover, your passport should have 2 completely blank pages, and it should have been issued in the last 10 years.

Photographs

You are required to submit your photographs that are according to the guidelines mentioned by the application centre. The photos should not be older than 6 months and you require two photographs with the application. This is one of the documents required for a Schengen tourist visa from India.

Civil status certificates

To apply for a Schengen visa from India, you have to submit civil status certificates like your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and family certificate. This is one of the essential documents needed when applying for a Schengen visa from India.

Accommodation proof

You need proof of where you will be staying in the Schengen region. The documents include proof of hotel bookings, Airbnb bookings, or proof that your stay will be either with your family member or a friend. This is a mandatory document required for the Schengen tourist visa from India.

Flight itinerary

You must attach a return ticket from the country you are visiting back to India. If you plan to take any internal flights, then the tickets for those also need to be attached as proof along with your Schengen visa application. This is an important visa requirement for Indian citizens.

Travel health insurance plan

As a part of your application, you need to have a travel health insurance plan. The travel medical insurance plan needs to meet the guidelines of the Schengen region. A travel health insurance policy with coverage of €30,000 to cover any possible injuries or illnesses has to be provided with the application. This is a top requirement for eligibility for a Schengen visa.

Visa fee receipt

You need to attach a receipt that states that you have paid the Schengen visa fee. If you do not pay the required fees, the application for the visa will not be processed.

Cover letter

You have to provide a cover letter along with your Schengen visa application. The cover letter states the reason for your visit, the total duration of your stay in the Schengen country, and the things you will be doing while you stay there.

Copy of your past Schengen visas (if applicable)

If you have had a Schengen visa before, a copy of the visa needs to be submitted along with your Schengen visa application.

Certificate of birth and consent from parents (if applicable)

If a minor is applying for a Schengen visa, they need parental consent along with their birth certificate. If one of the parents or guardians is travelling with the minor, consent is still required.

The application form has to be signed mandatorily by both the minor’s parents (in some circumstances, a sign of one parent will work).

Financial proof

To apply for a Schengen visa, you must submit your bank account statement with the application. The transactions of the previous 3 to 6 months must be shown clearly, along with the balance in the account and regular transactions related to income.

Depending on the type of employment, the proof that needs to be submitted includes

• In the case of an employed person

A contract of employment and a certificate of leave from your present employer.

• In the case of a self-employed person

You need to submit a business license (if applicable) and bank statements of the business.

• If you are a student

You need to submit a registration certificate from the current institution. The ID card, a registration certificate signed by your faculty and stamped by the institution, and your transcript.

• In case you are retired

You have to submit your bank statements that showcase the pension that you have received in the previous six months.

Biometric information

On the day you have your visa interview, you need to submit your fingerprints and other biometric information. If this is the first time you are applying for a Schengen visa or if you submitted the application more than 5 years ago, you will have to submit your fingerprints.

In case the child is below the age of 12, fingerprints are not required. This is an essential requirement for eligibility for a Schengen visa.

Short-term Schengen visas are submitted for a variety of reasons, and depending on why you have submitted the application, some of the documents might differ. So, check the specific requirements for the visa type you plan to apply for. Thus, before you plan to apply for a visa, ensure that you keep in mind all the Schengen visa requirements from India.

In case you are unsure about the documents required for the Schengen tourist visa from India or any other visa, it is essential to confirm the same from the VAC. The VAC website will contain all the information about the documents that you need.

Most of the embassies will require you to submit all the original documents. There is no process for filing your application online. You need to visit the VAC to submit your Schengen visa application. Also, you need to submit the original passport.

Ensure that you fulfil all the Schengen visa requirements so that your visa is not denied. If you skip any document, there is a chance that the visa will be denied. Furthermore, get the right travel insurance policy, as, without one, your application will be considered incomplete. It is also the best way to ensure a stress-free and successful trip to the Schengen area.

Information last updated May 23. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.