Templates › India › Visa

Schengen Visa Application (शेंगन वीज़ा)

Apply for a Schengen short-stay visa from India: pick the right embassy, prepare financial and travel documents, buy insurance, attend the VFS appointment for biometrics, pay EUR 90 and track your passport.

Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026

Steps

  1. Find the right embassy and VFS centre (सही दूतावास और वीएफएस केंद्र चुनें)

    1 day

    A Schengen visa covers short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights; if the nights are equal, apply to the country you enter first.

    In India almost all Schengen countries accept applications through an outsourced visa centre, mostly VFS Global, at centres in major cities. Open the destination country's embassy page or its VFS page for India and read the checklist for your purpose of travel (tourism, business, visiting family). Each country publishes its own checklist and may use its own online form.

    You can apply up to six months before travel and no later than 15 days before. Apply as early as allowed in peak summer months.

    Tip: Do not apply to a country just because it has earlier appointments. Applying to the wrong country is a common reason for refusal.

    Remind me

  2. Gather documents (दस्तावेज़ इकट्ठा करें)

    4 days

    Typical requirements: a passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months after you leave the Schengen area and with two blank pages; old passports; a recent photograph meeting ICAO standards (35 x 45 mm, white background); the signed application form; a cover letter with your itinerary; flight reservation and hotel bookings or an invitation letter.

    For finances and ties to India: personal bank statements for the last three to six months, income tax returns (often the last three years), and for employees, salary slips and a leave or no-objection letter from the employer. Self-employed people add business registration and company bank statements; students add a letter from their institution.

    Tip: Book refundable flights and hotels, or use reservations rather than paid tickets. Many consulates warn against buying non-refundable tickets before the visa is granted.

    Valid Passport (वैध पासपोर्ट)Passport photographs, ICAO format (पासपोर्ट फोटो)Bank statements (last 3-6 months)Employment proof: leave letter, salary slips, Form 16Income tax returns (last 2-3 years)
    Attach my documents

  3. Buy Schengen travel insurance (यात्रा बीमा खरीदें)

    1 day

    Travel medical insurance is mandatory. It must cover emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation, including in case of death, with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen countries for the entire stay.

    Many Indian insurers sell Schengen-compliant policies; check that the certificate states the coverage amount, the Schengen area as territory, and dates that match your trip. Some embassies list insurers they accept.

    Tip: Add a day or two on each side of your travel dates. If your flight is delayed and you are uninsured on any day in the Schengen area, the policy does not meet the rules.

  4. Fill the visa form and book a VFS appointment (फॉर्म भरें और अपॉइंटमेंट बुक करें)

    1 day

    Complete the visa application form required by your destination. Some countries use their own online systems (for example France-Visas for France), others use the standard Schengen form or VFS's online form. Print and sign the completed form.

    Book an appointment on the VFS website for your jurisdiction. You will choose a date and may be offered optional paid services such as premium lounge or SMS updates; these are not required.

    Tip: Book early in spring for summer travel. Slots in big cities can be booked out for weeks, and you cannot apply less than 15 days before your trip.

  5. Check your file before the appointment (आवेदन फ़ाइल की जाँच करें)

    1 day

    Arrange your documents in the order given on the embassy or VFS checklist. Missing papers can delay or sink an application, and VFS staff cannot advise on your chances.

    Bring originals and copies as the checklist requires. Make sure every document is in English or the destination country's language, or translated.

    Tip: Make your bank statement tell a consistent story. Large unexplained deposits just before applying raise doubts about whether the funds are really yours.

    • Passport with two blank pages and three months validity beyond return
    • Signed application form and appointment letter
    • Photograph meeting ICAO 35 x 45 mm specifications
    • Travel insurance certificate covering at least EUR 30,000
    • Flight reservation, hotel bookings or invitation, and day-wise itinerary
    • Bank statements, ITRs, salary slips and leave letter
    • Copies of old visas and passports, if any
    Valid Passport (वैध पासपोर्ट)Passport photographs, ICAO format (पासपोर्ट फोटो)Bank statements (last 3-6 months)Employment proof: leave letter, salary slips, Form 16Income tax returns (last 2-3 years)
    Attach my documents

  6. Pay the visa fee and VFS charges (वीज़ा शुल्क जमा करें)

    1 day

    The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; children under 6 pay nothing. In India the fee is usually collected in rupees at the exchange rate set by the embassy, together with the visa centre's service charge, which differs by country and centre.

    Pay at the VFS centre or online if your country's VFS page allows it, and keep the receipt. The visa fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.

    Tip: Check the current rupee amount on the VFS page for your destination just before your appointment. The exchange rate is revised from time to time.

    Fee
    €90 · Schengen visa fee for adults (EUR 45 for children 6-12), paid in INR equivalent
    Remind me

  7. Attend the VFS appointment for biometrics (बायोमेट्रिक्स के लिए वीएफएस जाएँ)

    1 day

    Arrive a little before your slot with your passport and complete file. Staff check that the file is complete, take your ten fingerprints and a digital photo, and keep your passport and documents to send to the embassy.

    If you gave Schengen fingerprints within the last 59 months and they are on record, you may not need to give them again, but the centre may still ask you to attend. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.

    Some embassies interview applicants or ask for originals later. Respond quickly to any request.

    Tip: Keep photocopies of everything you submit, and note your reference number for tracking. You will need it for every enquiry.

    Where
    VFS Global visa application centre · Bring passport, signed form, appointment letter, photo and all supporting documents with copies. Fingerprints and photo are taken unless you gave them for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months.
    Valid Passport (वैध पासपोर्ट)Passport photographs, ICAO format (पासपोर्ट फोटो)Bank statements (last 3-6 months)Employment proof: leave letter, salary slips, Form 16Income tax returns (last 2-3 years)
    Attach my documents

  8. Track the application and collect your passport (आवेदन ट्रैक करें, पासपोर्ट लें)

    15 days

    The embassy normally decides within 15 calendar days. This can extend up to 45 days if more checks or documents are needed. Track progress with your reference number on the VFS website and collect your passport from the centre or by courier.

    Check the visa sticker immediately: name, passport number, validity dates, number of entries and permitted days. Indian nationals who have lawfully used two Schengen visas in the last three years may be given a two-year multiple-entry visa under the EU cascade rules, and later a five-year visa.

    On your first entry, you will be registered in the EU Entry/Exit System, which records your fingerprints and face at the border.

    Tip: Count your days. Overstaying the 90 days in 180 rule, even by a day, can lead to refusal of future visas.

Documents you'll need

Valid Passport (वैध पासपोर्ट)Must be issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months after you leave the Schengen area, with two blank pages. Bring old passports with previous visas too.
Passport photographs, ICAO format (पासपोर्ट फोटो)Recent colour photo, 35 x 45 mm, white background, face clearly visible, taken within the last six months.
Bank statements (last 3-6 months)Shows you can pay for the trip. Use recent statements, ideally with bank seal or downloaded from net banking, and explain large one-off deposits.
Employment proof: leave letter, salary slips, Form 16Employees provide a leave or no-objection letter on company letterhead plus recent salary slips. Self-employed people provide business registration and company statements.
Income tax returns (last 2-3 years)ITR acknowledgements show steady, declared income and ties to India. Many embassies ask for the last three years.

Official sources

Related templates

All templates

General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.

Use this template Free. Track progress and get reminders before deadlines.