Schengen Area There are 26 member states that require the Schengen Visa — Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Documents Required While there might be a few additions to the general list of documents, depending on the country you’re travelling to, this is what you’re required to be ready with:
- Application Form – this has to be downloaded from official website. You can also fill it online and print out a hard-copy.
- 2 passport size photos – these should have the complete face with ears visible, clicked against a white background. About 70-80% of the picture needs to be filled with the applicant’s face. This will be 35mm x 45mm in size, with a matte finish.
- Passport, and copies of previous visas – your passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
- Travel Insurance confirming a minimum of €30,000 within the entire Schengen area.
- Cover letter – state the purpose of the visit and the itinerary.
- Flight tickets – stating dates, the point of entry and exit.
- Proof of accommodation
- Tickets for travelling within the Schengen area (if applicable)
- Bank statement – this needs to show a minimum balance of €3000 over the last 6 months. If you do not have this amount in your bank, you could show a family member’s/guardian’s statement instead, with an accompanying letter stating that they are sponsoring your travel and stay. The bank statement needs to be attested by the bank.
- An employment contract.
- Income Tax Returns for the last 3 years
- Letter from the university (if you’re a student) – this needs to be accompanied by a “no objection” certificate from the university.
- Pension statement (applicable if retired)
Time Taken to Process Minimum 3 weeks, this depends on the nationality of client holds.
Book an appointment It is advisable to book an appointment a month in advance in order to ensure smooth preparation for your upcoming journey. The earliest you can apply is up to 12 weeks before the date of departure.
Pay the fees .Once the visa application form is checked by the officials, you will be asked to pay the visa amount. This can be paid in cash or by card. Visa costs differ for different Schengen countries.
Submit the application during the visa interview You will need to attend the interview in person. Carry your filled-out application form and the necessary documents, and go to the visa application centre at the scheduled time. During the interview you will be asked questions about your trip and purpose. Ensure that you have everything in place.
Visa Refusals The right to issue a Schengen Visa lies with the concerned embassy/consulate. If for some reason your application for a visa is denied, all your documents, including your passport will be returned to you.
