You must obtain a Schengen visa if you intend to go to Europe. This visa permits you to travel freely inside the Schengen zone comprising 26 countries. You can easily visit all the European countries in a single trip, but you cannot only visit any Schengen visa countries without a visa.
What Are The Schengen Visa Fees?
Now that you know what kind of visa you need to apply for, it’s better to discuss the cost of the Schengen visa application. The following is a list of the fee for different age groups.
- Adults should expect to pay 80 Euros ($81) (₹6,964) for a Schengen visa.
- Children (6-12) must pay 40 EUR (41 USD) (₹3,482) for a Schengen visa.
- Fee-free Schengen visa for children under the age of six
The visa application fee for Indians will be according to the current exchange rate.
Necessary Documents For Schengen Visa Approval:
If you intend to visit more than one Schengen country during your stay, you must apply for a Schengen visa and specify where you intend to spend most of your time.
For a visa, you may need the following documents:
- A valid accommodation request, including an invitation from the host and any necessary supporting documentation.
All applicants must complete and sign their own Visa Application.
- Two passport-sized photos were taken within the past three months. No shiny surfaces must exist in the 35 mm, 45 mm photos. It ought to show off about 80% of your face at most.
- Valid passport (not more than 10 years old) for at least the next three months.
- Round-trip plane tickets to and from every country
- Complete travel itinerary
- Accommodation confirmations from hotels or Airbnbs where you intend to stay.
- Your choice of travel insurance for Schengen visa covers medical expenses up to €30,000
- Bank statements from the past three months would suffice to demonstrate financial capability. The financial sponsorship letter is required if you have a sponsor
- Documentation establishing identity as a student, worker, or business owner
If Employed
- Submit contract of employment
- Leave permission
- Income tax return
If Self-Employed
- Copy of business licence
- Bank statement of the company for at least 6 months
In The Case of Students
- Proof of enrollment in educational institutes
In The Case of Minors
- A permission letter signed by guardians.
How To Apply For A Schengen Visa As An Indian Citizen?
If someone wants to apply for a Schengen visa from India, there are the following steps to process the application:
Gather The Required Documents
Things must be prioritised. Get your visa application ready by gathering the required documents. You can do this anytime, but being prepared will make navigating the visa application process more manageable.
If you lose any of your important documents, it is prudent to prepare duplicates.
Complete The Application Form
The next thing to do is fill out an application for a Schengen visa. Typically, I submit my applications using the online form. Schengen visa applications require hard copies of supporting documentation to be submitted.
The application form can be finished in a few minutes. Your name, passport number, and trip specifics are all required. Please sign and date a hard copy of the application when completed. Then you may tally it up with the rest of the paperwork you need.
Schedule A Visa Appointment
After you have all your documents ready, the next step is to schedule a visa interview. You can have several ways of arranging your interview, such as:
Make a visa appointment by calling the appropriate Embassy or consulate.
Appointments must be made through a different Embassy.
Attend Your Visa Appointment
After scheduling a visa appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with the date and time. You must inform the Embassy or consulate when you schedule your visa appointment. We recommend you arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before.
You will be asked travel-related questions and personal information during the visa appointment. You must be honest in providing all the information during the visa appointments. The embassy representative may also ask you to present your documents. Remember to include a convincing cover letter with your documents.
Wait For Your Visa To Be Processed
As has been mentioned earlier. The waiting per for Schengen visa approval depends on the country you are applying to. You can get your Schengen visa generally in 15 days, but sometimes, complications during application procedures may take more than 15 days. During the visa appointment procedures, the Embassy conducts several background checks. The last thing is to wait patiently for your visa approval.
Receive Feedback That Your Visa Is Approved
As previously stated, you have to wait at least 15 days for your visa to be processed. After your visa is approved, you can easily collect it at the Embassy or consulate. If you are still waiting to hear or get an email regarding your visa approval, then contact the embassy or consulate and ask about the status of your application. Additionally, some Schengen visa applications allow you to check your visa status online.
What Are The Most Common Reasons For Schengen Visa Rejection?
Sometimes short-stay Schengen visas get rejected. There may be many reasons for visa rejections, and applicants must be more informed. Suppose the consular officer needs to get all the necessary information. In that case, it may also cause rejection because with this information the consular will recognize whether you are eligible for this post.
Another reason for visa damage is that information received by the applicant needs to be corrected or corrected.
Applicants are susceptible to dishonest behaviour. Sometimes the information the applicant provides must meet the visa application requirements or the country the applicant is applying for travel. In a few cases, the in-person interview of the candidate could go better with the representative of the Embassy or consulate. It’s essential to keep in mind that the interview with the consular decides on your application. In addition, the information the applicant provides sometimes differs from the rules and procedures of visa application or the country to which the applicant travels.
Here is a list of the 10 most common Schengen Visa mistakes that people make during their Schengen Visa application procedure:
- You do not meet the document standards
- The information you gave needs to match the information on the necessary papers.
- You started your visa application after you were told to
- Incorrect information about the sponsor in your application
- Not having travel or health insurance
- You need more money to qualify
- You have a passport that is broken or can’t be read
- Putting forward fake or forged papers
- You must show valid proof that you have a place to stay during a visit to Schengen zone
- You need to provide more proof for your visit
How Do I Appeal If My Visa Is Denied?
If your visa application was denied, you can appeal the decision by following this short eight-point checklist. But let’s say you have questions about a Visa appeal template or need more details about the process.
If your Schengen visa application is rejected, you should read our instructions on how to file an appeal.
Here is a fast four-step strategy for appealing a Schengen visa denial:
First, compile any paperwork you still need.
Step 2: Draft your appeal letter
Step 3: Include any supporting materials
In the fourth step, you’ll file an appeal with the Embassy or consulate.
Should You Reapply For A Visa?
You can choose one of the two ways if your visa gets rejected. You can appeal the decision on your initial application or submit a new visa application. Remember that if your first Schengen visa application was denied, subsequent applications might be turned down. I opted to pursue the visa appeal process rather than reapply.
It would help if you reapplied as soon as you knew your Schengen visa application was rejected. However, there are a few outliers. For example, Switzerland and Finland, two Schengen nations, have unique regulations on reapplying for a visa following a rejection. So it would be better to go through the visa requirements of a specific country you have intended to visit.
If your visa application for Switzerland is denied for the first time, you can reapply 1 month after rejection. Finland approaches each case independently. In other words, when you reapply for your Schengen Visa, it will be decided by Embassy consular. This process could take from one to six months.
How Long Does A Schengen Visa Application Take To Get Approval?
It has been stated already that you have to wait for 15 days for your visa approval process. We suggest you start the process in advance. Gather all the required documents for your Schengen visa application, which may take time. Applying 3 to 4 weeks before your planned trip to the Schengen zone is essential.
Note:
Visa requirements always keep changing for every country. So before making any travel bookings, always keep in mind to check all the passport and visa requirements on the official website of the specific country you want to apply.
