Schengen Visa From Indian

The Schengen Area is an area in Europe comprising 26 countries that have abolished visas for crossing their international borders for the nationals of the member states. As a result, the movement of people within the Schengen Area has become smoother, easier, and safer, and the complexity of the visa application process has been reduced.

Recognised as the world's largest visa-free zone, the Schengen Area covers a majority of nations in the European Union and even some non-EU nations, for instance, Norway and Switzerland. The Schengen Visa Regime is a product of an agreement signed in the year 1985 in Luxembourg, Europe, named the Schengen Agreement.

With the removal of travel restrictions within the Schengen Area, not only is it easy for the citizens of various Schengen nations to travel across the Schengen Area but also for tourists who are spared the hassle of having to apply for separate visas for different Schengen nations. Here is the full list of the nations that are a member of the Schengen Area.

A Schengen Visa is a visa that is required to visit a member nations of the Schengen Area. The simplest meaning of a Schengen Visa is that it is a document that allows you to travel to and stay in the Schengen Area. Being the most common visa applied for visits to European nations, the Schengen Visa enables its holder to enter, travel across, and exit the Schengen Area within the timelines described in the visa.

The fact that more than 15 million people used their respective Schengen Visas to travel across Europe in the year 2019 is a testament to the popularity and utility of the Schengen Visa. This visa is usually issued for a short-term stay of 90 days. However, if your intended stay in the Schengen Area is expected to be longer than 90 days, you are required to apply for a long-term Schengen Visa, also referred to as the Uniform Schengen Visa for a particular nation.

Aside from the citizens of the member countries of the Schengen Area and the citizens of nations that have a visa-free agreement with Schengen nations, every other visitor to the Schengen Area is required to have a pre-approved Schengen Visa of the right category in accordance with the purpose of their visit.

Here is a list of some of the nations whose citizens require a Schengen Visa to travel to the Schengen Area.

1. China
2. India
3. Egypt
4. Nepal
5. Russia
6. Qatar
7. Saudi Arabia
8. South Africa
9. Vietnam
10. Zimbabwe

All Indian nationals travelling to the Schengen Area must have a pre-approved Europe Schengen Visa. The category of Schengen Visa you need to apply for depends on the purpose of your visit to the Schengen Area, which could be one of the following.

1. Airport Transit
2. Transit
3. Business
4. Studies
5. Tourism
6. Visiting family or friends
7. Medical treatment
8. Official visit
9. Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews
10. Other Reasons

For instance, if you are travelling to the Schengen Area for tourism, you need to apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa. On the other hand, if the purpose of your visit is business, you must apply for a Schengen Business Visa.

There are various Schengen Visa categories depending on the nature and purpose of an individual's visit to the Schengen Area. You must be mindful of selecting the right category of Schengen Visa to apply for. Here are the different types of Schengen Visas available for visitors.

Uniform Schengen Visa: A Uniform Schengen Visa is a short-term visa for the Schengen Area. This visa is valid for a maximum stay of 90 days in the member nations of the Schengen Area. There are two subcategories of a Uniform Schengen Visa, namely a Category A Schengen Visa and a Category C Schengen Visa.

Category A or Airport Transit Schengen Visa: If you are passing through an airport in the Schengen Area, you are required to have a valid Category A Schengen Visa. This visa is referred to as a Transit Schengen Visa and is mandatory for everyone passing through the international zone of a Schengen Area country.

For instance, if you are passing through an airport in, say, France en route to the United States of America, you need to have a valid Category A Schengen Visa. This visa is, thus, a legal mandate to traverse all airports in the Schengen Area. This visa is valid for a period not exceeding 24 hours.

Category C or Short-term Schengen Visa: if you wish to travel to and stay in the Schengen Area for a short period of time (less than 90 days), you need to apply for a Category C Schengen Visa. This is a short-term visa for individuals who are not citizens of a Schengen Area member state. A Category C Schengen Visa has three variants, which have been discussed below.

Single-entry Category C Schengen Visa: A single-entry Category C visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area nation once during the validity period. The maximum number of days you can stay in the Schengen Area is clearly mentioned in this visa. You must not exceed the duration of the permissible stay as mentioned in the visa without applying for an extension of the same.

A single-entry Category C Schengen Visa also specifies the list of countries that you can visit with said visa.

• Double-entry Category C Schengen Visa: A double-entry Category C Schengen Visa is quite similar to a single-entry Category C Schengen visa. In contrast to its single-entry counterpart, though, it allows you to enter the Schengen Area twice during the validity period of the visa.
  

If you exit the Schengen Area for a second time during the validity period of your double-entry Category C Schengen Visa, you shall not be allowed to enter the Schengen Area again on the same visa.

• Multiple-entry Category C Schengen Visa: With a multiple-entry Category C Schengen Visa, you can enter the Schengen Area multiple times during the validity period of the visa. However, you must be mindful of adhering to the 90/180 rule, which states that your stay in the Schengen Area cannot exceed a period of 90 days across the 180-day validity period of your Category C Schengen Visa.
  

It is easy to ascertain how many days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen Area. You can use the Schengen calculator to compute the number of days remaining in the validity period of your Uniform Schengen Visa. You can apply for a multiple-entry Category C Europe Schengen Visa for the following time periods.

• 1 year
• 3 years
• 5 years

Here are the types of Category C Uniform Schengen Visas you can apply for based on the purpose of your visit to the Schengen Area.

• Business Schengen Visa
• Student Schengen Visa
• Schengen Medical Visa
• Tourist Schengen Visa
• Schengen Visitor Visa
• Schengen Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Religious Events and Film Crews
• Schengen Visa for Official Visits
• The National Schengen Visa or Category D Visa: The National Schengen Visa, also referred to as a Category D Schengen Visa, is issued to individuals whose intended stay in the Schengen Area is expected to be longer than 90 days. Therefore, if you are travelling to the Schengen Area for any purpose that is long-term, for instance, the pursuit of education, work, or permanent immigration, you must apply for a Category D Schengen Visa. This visa has two main variants, namely:

Single-entry Category D Visa: If you intend to live in a particular Schengen Area member nation for a specific period and purpose, you must apply for a single-entry Category D Schengen Visa. This visa is issued to individuals who intend to return to their country after the expiry of the validity of their Schengen Visa. For instance, if you have been accepted at an academic institution in Switzerland, you can apply for a Category D Schengen Visa for the duration of your academic programme.

Multiple-entry Category D Visa: If you wish to travel across the Schengen Area without needing a separate visa for each visit, you must apply for a multiple-entry Category D Schengen Visa. The following categories of individuals are eligible to apply for this visa.

• Students in an international student programme can get a Category D Schengen Visa for one year.
• Students starting a full-time academic programme in a Schengen Area country can get a Category D Schengen Visa for one year, which can be extended in the future.
• Individuals employed teaching at any academic institution or research centre in a Schengen Area nation can apply for this category of visa.
• Professionals visiting the Schengen Area, for instance, sportspeople, artists, and experts in their respective fields, can get this type of Schengen Visa.
• Individuals who cannot exit the Schengen Area post the expiration of the validity of their Schengen Area owing to any medical emergency can apply for this category of Schengen Visa.

The Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) Visa for the Schengen Area: Issued under very specific circumstances, a Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) Schengen Visa enables you to visit a particular Schengen Area nation that has granted the visa. This visa can sometimes be granted by a group of Schengen Area nations. The reasons for the issuance of a Limited Territorial Validity Schengen Visa are usually humanitarian in nature.

If you are planning to visit any Schengen Area nation/s for a stay not exceeding 90 days, you can apply for a short-stay Schengen Visa, also referred to as a Category C Uniform Schengen Visa and a Schengen Visit Visa. Here are the reasons for which short-stay Europe visas for Indians can be applied.

1. Tourism
2. Business
3. Studies
4. Visiting family or friends
5. Medical treatment
6. Official visit
7. Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews

You must ascertain the frequency of your intended visit/s to the Schengen Area and apply for one of the following variants of a Category C Schengen Visa.

1. Single-entry Category C Schengen Visa
2. Double-entry Category C Schengen Visa
3. Multiple-entry Category C Schengen Visa

It is important to remember that a Category C Europe Visa allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum period of 90 days across a total period of 180 days, starting from the point of first entry to the Schengen Area.

You can apply for a Schengen Visa from India by following the steps mentioned below.

1.Determine the category of Schengen Visa you need, which could be a Category A, C, or D Schengen Visa.

2.Determine whether you need a single-entry visa, double-entry visa, or multiple-entry visa. This would depend on the Schengen Area country you wish to enter and/or live in and the Schengen Area countries you want to travel to.

3.Find out the details of the embassy or consulate where you must apply for the selected category of Schengen Visa.

4.Apply for a Schengen Visa at least a fortnight before your intended date of travel to the Schengen Area. You cannot file an advance visa application more than 6 months prior to your travelling date.

5.Ensure that you have all the necessary documents required for your Schengen Visa application.

6.Schedule your Schengen Visa interview appointment with the relevant embassy or consulate. Check if the Schengen Area nation/s you plan to visit allow for online visa applications.

7.Reach your scheduled visa interview appointment on time and carry all the required documents.

8.Make the payment of your Schengen Visa fees, as applicable.

9.Wait for the results of your Schengen Visa interview, which should not take more than 15 days to be shared.

In addition to the appropriate category of Schengen Visa, you must also opt for Schengen Travel Insurance from India.

All Indian nationals applying for a Schengen Visa need certain important documents. You must be aware of the Schengen Visa requirements before starting the application process. Here are the documents that constitute the Schengen visa requirements for Indian citizens:

1. Your Indian passport which must be valid for at least 3 months from your intended date of entry into the Schengen Area (this passport must not be older than 10 years)
2. Two latest passport-sized photographs with a light background
3. A print-out of your Schengen visa application form duly filled and signed
4. Travel insurance for Schengen Visa containing a medical cover of at least €30,000 and covering medical evacuation and repatriation
5. The proof of your intended accommodation during your stay in the Schengen Area
6. Your flight itinerary to and from the Schengen Area
7. The proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay in the Schengen Area
8. A cover letter describing your purpose for visiting the Schengen Area
9. The proof of your civil status, including your marriage certificate and, if applicable, the birth certificate of your children

If you have a Schengen Visa, you can visit any of the following 26 member nations of the Schengen Area:

It is, however, advisable to check whether the Schengen Area country you are planning to visit has a separate visa policy for a particular category of visas. You can check out the visa information for all these countries through their official government websites or through their embassy and consulates in India.

It is important to note that since all the countries in Europe do not comply with the Schengen Visa Regime, you may need a separate visa for some European countries. In addition to the above member countries of the Schengen Area, you can also visit certain non-Schengen nations with a Schengen Visa. These nations include Colombia, Romania, Belarus, Bulgaria, and Serbia, to name a few.

The permissible duration of your stay in the Schengen Area depends on the category of the Schengen Visa granted to you and the validity period mentioned therein. Here are the validity timelines of various categories of Schengen Visas.

1. Category A Schengen Visa: A Category A or Airport Transit Schengen Visa is valid for a maximum period of 24 hours.

2. Category C Schengen Visa: A Category C or short-stay Schengen Visa is valid for a stay of 90 days across 180 days from the point of first entry into the Schengen Area. You must strictly adhere to the above 90/180 rule whilst computing how long you can stay in the Schengen Area on your present visa.

3. Category D Schengen Visa: A Category D Schengen Visa or a National Schengen Visa is valid for the specific duration mentioned in the visa. This visa is valid for a stay in the Schengen Area that is longer than 90 days.

It is extremely difficult to get a Schengen Visa extension, particularly if you have exceeded the stay limit permissible in your Schengen Visa. For instance, if you have a Category C Schengen Visa which allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum period of 90 days, but you end up staying in the area beyond the expiration of your visa, it is highly unlikely that you can get a visa extension.

However, it is possible to get a Schengen Visa extension before your visa expires or before you have exceeded the permissible stay limit as mentioned in the visa. In order to get this visa extension, though, you must furnish proof that it is absolutely impossible for you to leave the Schengen Area and/or important for you to stay. These reasons could be humanitarian reasons, force majeure, or important personal reasons, and a visa extension is subject to the approval of the requisite authorities.

If your Schengen Visa application is rejected, you are allowed to appeal against said rejection. The rejection of your Schengen Visa application is accompanied by the reasons behind the rejection. Furthermore, there is also a document detailing the procedure for filing an appeal for the reconsideration of your visa application.

If you feel that the reasons behind the rejection of your Schengen Visa application are unfounded, you can file an appeal against the decision. However, it is advisable to study and understand the reasons listed by the relevant embassy or consulate for the rejection of the visa and apply them to improve any subsequent visa applications. You can file a fresh Schengen Visa application by repeating the process from the start and making the payment of the fee again.

Schengen Insurance is an insurance policy that financially safeguards your trip to the Schengen Area. You can end up facing a wide gamut of unforeseen circumstances during your trip to and stay in a Schengen Area nation/s. This can include accidents, sicknesses, flight delays and cancellations, baggage loss, loss of a passport, etc.

With a Schengen Insurance policy, you can protect yourself against a majority of the above events. In addition to providing your Schengen trip with a layer of financial protection, it is mandatory to have a Schengen Travel Insurance plan to apply for a Schengen Visa. You must have a Schengen Travel Insurance amounting to €30,000 or more to be able to apply for a visa to visit the Schengen Area. Your Schengen Insurance Plan must cover medical expenses as well as the cost of repatriation.

You must opt for a Schengen travel insurance policy that provides extensive coverage at a feasible price. Your Schengen Travel Insurance plan must have the following covers.

1. Baggage Cover
2. Journey Cover
3. Medical Cover
4. Covid-19 Cover
5. Flexibility to extend the cover

If you are looking for a suitable Schengen insurance plan, then your search must stop at Tata AIG. With our comprehensive Schengen Insurance Policies, you can get extensive coverage for your trip to the Schengen Area. In addition to offering a wide variety of covers, the Tata AIG Schengen Travel Insurance plans are light on your pocket as well. You can get a Tata AIG Schengen Travel Insurance Plan, starting at just ₹40.82 per day*.

Here are the benefits of a Tata AIG Schengen Travel Insurance Policy.

1. Travel Assistance: With the Tata AIG Schengen Insurance Policy, you get coverage against the loss or stealth of your passport, delay or cancellation of your flights, and the cancellation of your hotel bookings.

2. Cover for Accidents and Sickness: If you happen to meet with an accident during your Schengen trip or fall ill, you can get coverage for the resultant expenses under your Tata AIG Schengen Travel Insurance Plan. This includes a cover for hospitalisation expenses.

3. Cover for Baggage Loss and Delay: Our Schengen Insurance Policy comprises a cover for the loss or delay of baggage at any of the airports you traverse during your journey to the Schengen Area.

4. Cover For Personal Liabilities: If you happen to get involved in any incidents in the Schengen Area that result in any personal liabilities that are covered under your Tata AIG travel insurance policy, you can get coverage for the same.

5. Hijack Cover: Our Schengen Travel Insurance has a provision for a Distress Allowance in the unfortunate event of you falling victim to a hijack during your Schengen trip.

6. Covid-19 Cover: In light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, we have included a cover for Covid-19 in our Schengen Insurance Policy. This plan covers the cost of your Covid-19 treatment if you get diagnosed with the virus during your trip.

7. Payment in Rupees and Coverage In Dollars: You can get coverage in United States Dollars for your Schengen Insurance Plan whilst paying in the Indian National Rupee.

8. Swift Policy Purchase Process: At Tata AIG, we have a swift, simple, and seamless policy purchase process that has been designed keeping your convenience in mind.

9. Affordable Plans: Our Schengen Insurance Plans are pocket-friendly. You can get your Tata AIG Schengen Travel Insurance Plan at as low as ₹40.82 per day*.

10. Automatic Extensions: In the unfortunate event of you being hospitalised in the Schengen Area near the expiration date of your Schengen Insurance Policy, we shall automatically extend the plan for 60 days or until your discharge from the hospital. Furthermore, if your return flight gets cancelled or delayed, we shall extend your Tata AIG travel insurance policy for 7 days.

Travelling to another country has a diverse set of challenges, and there is a wide gamut of things that may cause your plans to derail, ranging from the cancellation of flights and the loss of baggage to falling ill whilst in a foreign land. Therefore, it is pivotal to opt for an adequate travel insurance policy and have a certain degree of financial security during your travels.

With the Tata AIG Schengen Insurance Plan, you can have extensive coverage for your trip to the Schengen Area and be protected against adverse events that may transpire during your journey to and from or stay there. Starting at just ₹40.82 per day*, our travel insurance plans are easy to study, understand, and purchase. All you have to do is visit our official website and compare travel insurance plans to find the most suitable plan for you.

In addition to selecting a suitable Schengen Travel Insurance Plan, you must also ascertain the category of Schengen Visa you need to apply for, the procedure for the application and screening of Schengen Visas, and the fee for Schengen Visa, which is presently ₹7,088 for adults and ₹5,310 for children aged 6 to 12 years (of Indian nationality). However, this fee can change with any fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Euro and the Indian National Rupee.

Having an optimal Schengen Travel Insurance Plan and the appropriate category of Schengen Visa are essential prerequisites of a safe trip to the Schengen Area.

Information last updated Jan 22. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.