Schengen Visa Requirements For Indians - What You Need To Know

The Schengen Area encompasses 27 European countries that have abolished internal borders, allowing unrestricted movement within the zone. A Schengen visa is often a prerequisite for travellers visiting these countries. Here, we delve into the comprehensive requirements for acquiring a Schengen visa.

What Is A Schengen Visa?

​​A Schengen visa is a travel document that allows individuals to enter, transit through, or stay within the Schengen Area, which comprises 27 European countries agreeing to the Schengen arrangement to eliminate internal borders for easier travel. It permits travellers to move freely across these countries without the need for additional border checks within the Schengen Zone for a specified period.

This visa is typically granted for short stays, allowing visitors to engage in tourism, business meetings, family visits, medical treatment, or other approved activities for a maximum duration of 90 days within a 180-day period.

What Are The Schengen Visa Requirements For Indians?

You'll need to submit certain travel documents for a successful visa application. These documents form part of the Schengen visa requirements for Indians. There are quite a few. However, I’ll explain each document you need.

Tip: Create a document checklist before you start your visa application. This is the best way to stay current on which documents you have and what you still need.

You need the following travel documents:

A Valid Passport

Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you intend to return to your home country. If your passport is close to its expiry date, you must renew it before applying.

Your passport must be in good condition and have at least 2 blank pages available.

2 Recent Passport Photos

Your passport photo must meet certain Schengen visa requirements.

Here is a brief overview of the requirements your passport photo must meet:

• Two identical photos. Not older than six months.

• The photo size must be 35 x 45 mm or 2 in x 2 in.

• Your photos must be in colour.

• Your head should cover most of the photo. There are certain exceptions depending on your religion.

• Ensure that your photos have a white background.

If you’d like to find out more about the Schengen passport photo requirements, you can read our dedicated blog.

Schengen Visa Application Form

Your application form must be completed truthfully, and make sure you review it. An incomplete Schengen Visa application is one of the main reasons for visa refusal. Something as small as misspelling your name could be the cause of a denied visa.

Using your passport as a reference when filling out your Schengen Visa form is important. Always ensure that the information you enter is correct and avoid common mistakes.

Flight Itinerary Or A Return Flight Ticket

Another important Schengen visa requirement for Indian citizens is a flight itinerary or a return flight ticket. It must show the date you’ll be travelling to the Schengen country and when you’ll return. This is just to show proof that you will return to your home country before your visa expires.

Here’s what you can submit:

• Return flight tickets.

• Flight itinerary.

• Flight reservations.

Proof Of Financial Means

If you want to visit a Schengen country, you must prove that you have the financial means to support yourself during your stay.

Documents you can present include:

• Recent bank statements (6 months).

• Credit cards.

• Pay stubs.

• A letter of employment that indicates your monthly salary.

Note: Each Schengen country has its own financial requirements. So, make sure you check and meet them before you apply.

Proof Of Accommodation

During your Schengen Visa interview, you must submit a document indicating where you'll stay during your visit.

The documents you can include:

• A hotel reservation/hotel booking.

• An Airbnb reservation.

• A letter of invitation (if you plan to visit relatives or friends).

Don’t pay for your accommodation, only reserve your place. This ensures you won't lose money if your Schengen visa is denied.

A Cover Letter

Authorities want to know why you plan to visit the Schengen Area and what you plan to do there, and that’s exactly what a cover letter indicates.

Your cover letter can include the following information:

• Your personal details.

• The date you plan to travel.

• The date you plan to return to India.

• The cities you’re going to visit during your stay.

• An agenda.

• Flight itinerary.

You can read our dedicated blog for a more in-depth guide on your Schengen visa cover letter.

Valid Schengen Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is another Schengen visa requirement that is mandatory for all travellers. Your Schengen travel insurance must meet a few requirements.You can read more about the requirements your travel insurance must meet in our dedicated blog.

Employment Status Documents

You're required to submit documents based on your employment status. Here’s a breakdown of what you must submit based on your employee status.

If You're Employed:

• An employment contract

• Your bank statements for the past 6 months

• An acknowledgement letter from your employer stating you will be out of the office.

• An Income Tax Return (ITR) Form.

If You're Self-Employed:

• An Income Tax Return (ITR) Form

• A copy of your company's most recent bank statement.

• A copy of your business license.

If You're A Student:

• Proof that you're enrolled at a recognised education institution.

• A letter of no objection from your school verifying that they have no objections to your absence.

Proof Of Civil Status

Proof of civil status isn’t always needed; rather, be safe than sorry. You can present the following documents as proof of Civil Status:

• A birth certificate

• A marriage certificate

• A death certificate.

What Are The Schengen Visa Requirements For Minors?

In addition to the other documents mentioned earlier, you must submit the following documents if a minor applies for a Schengen visa.

• A Schengen Visa application form signed by both parents or a legal guardian

• A copy of the minor's birth certificate:

• A notarized parental authorisation is signed by both parents (or guardians) if the child will travel alone.

• Passport or ID copies of both parents.

• If the minor is a student, you need a school enrolment certificate.

What Are The Schengen Visa Requirements If I Visit Friends Or Family?

If you plan on visiting friends or family living in a Schengen country, you must submit all the above documents and an invitation letter.

Here’s what your letter must include:

• Personal details of the person you’re visiting.

• Their physical address.

• When you plan to stay with them (the dates).

• When you plan to leave.

• If they will support you financially, they'll need to attach documents proving they have sufficient funds.

• Copy their valid passport or ID.

Conclusion:

Acquiring a Schengen visa involves meticulous preparation, and you must also follow specific Schengen visa requirements from India. Your visa will be denied if your documents don’t meet these requirements. Make sure you double-check the requirements before you apply.

Remember, these requirements serve as general guidelines and may vary slightly among Schengen Area countries.

Government Sources

Atlys aims to provide you with up-to-date and correct information. We know how important accurate visa information is, which is why we only use government sources for our blog posts.

• European Union

Visa information can change at any given moment. This is why we always encourage our readers to check the government websites before applying.