Europe, the world's second-smallest continent, is no doubt the most visited global destination. Facilitating this travel influx is the Schengen visa—a crucial document issued by Schengen countries, allowing entry via air, land, or water, and permitting a 90-day stay within a 180-day period.
Contrary to a common misconception, the Schengen visa is not a blanket ‘Europe visa.’ While it grants access to the European continent, it's limited to the 27 European nations participating in the Schengen agreement.

All Indians travelling to any country within the Schengen region must have a Schengen visa, which is where this comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about Schengen visa comes in handy. So, let’s dive right into it without any further delay.

What is a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen visa is a short-term entry permit, facilitating travel to any Schengen zone member for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It allows you to move freely within the Schengen zone, with no border restrictions between countries. Purposes such as tourism, business, or study are valid reasons for entry. For stays exceeding 90 days, a national visa for the specific country must be pursued.

Schengen Countries Requiring Indian Citizens to Carry Schengen Visa

Indian citizens must obtain a Schengen visa to visit 27 European countries. These include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. A short stay type C Schengen visa is necessary for tourism, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.

Schengen Visa from India

Despite Europe being a top destination for over 10 million Indians annually, no visa-free arrangements for Indians exist presently. A Schengen visa from India is imperative for travel. Most Schengen countries maintain an embassy in India, responsible for issuing Schengen visas. In cases where a specific nation lacks an embassy in India, visa applications can be processed by the embassy of another nation handling visa procedures, such as Switzerland's embassy for Liechtenstein.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa?

The Schengen visa application involves several steps, varying by embassy. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a visa independently:

1. Schedule Your Visa Appointment: Start by booking an appointment for your visa at the nearest application center. It's wise to do this well in advance, considering potential wait times, especially during peak periods.
2. Create Your Online Profile: Begin your application by establishing a profile on the designated visa application portal. Look for the option to initiate a new visa application and proceed to either register a new account or log into an existing one.
3. Fill Out the Visa Application Form: Thoroughly complete the application form online, ensuring accuracy and completeness in all provided details. Upon completion, the portal typically generates a checklist of required documents for your visa appointment. Print this checklist to bring along.
4. Prepare Your Documentation: Gather all necessary documentation as outlined in your application form's checklist. This step is critical and may take some time to ensure all documents are correctly filled out and compiled.
5. Attend Your Visa Appointment: On the scheduled date, visit the visa application centre, bringing all required documents and preparing for a brief interview. This may also include the submission of your biometrics.
6. Await Application Outcome: Following your appointment, the processing of your visa application commences, with a timeframe ranging from 15 to 30 days or more, depending on various factors. You'll be notified of the decision through your chosen communication method. If your application is successful, instructions for collecting your visa from the application centre will be provided.

Schengen Visa Fees for Indians

The Schengen visa fee is standardized across Schengen Area countries. For adults, the fee is €80 (approx. INR 7,154.41), for children it is €40 (approx. INR 3,577.20), and minors younger than 6 are exempt.

Please note that visa fees are subject to change.

Schengen Visa Processing Time from India

Visa processing time, post-submission at the application centre, typically takes 15 days or more. This duration excludes online form completion, appointment scheduling, and biometrics submission time.

Why choose Brightsun Travel to apply for your Schengan Visa?

Choosing Brightsun Travel to apply for your Schengen Visa has multiple advantages, from tailored solutions and expert knowledge to reduced stress and saving a lot of time and efforts. With 24/7 assistance from our expert agents, you can navigate the whole visa application process without any stress, ensuring a smooth and successful result. Brightsun travel offers an efficient and seamless answer to all your visa needs with an expert team of dedicated visa specialists, who are well-versed in the intricacies of each country's visa regulations.  Reach out to our experts on 0124 416 3060 to apply for your Schengen visa today!