Schengen Visa From India

Planning a trip to Europe? Awesome! Did you know that if you have a Schengen Visa, you can travel to any of the 26 countries within the European Schengen Area without any hassle or paperwork? In we've broken down everything you need to know about Schengen visa for Indians, including the different types, their validity, how to apply online and much more. Keep reading to find out everything about Schengen visa application with an Indian passport, and get ready for an amazing European adventure!

A Schengen visa application is a request for permission to enter the Schengen area for short stays—aka standard Schengen visa—and long stays, for purposes like tourism, business or study. There are currently 27 countries in the Schengen area that share a common legal framework with no checks on the borders. 

Yes, if you are an Indian citizen, you need a visa to enter Europe or any of the Schengen areas. This will allow you to travel to any of the 27 Schengen countries, whether you're going to work, studying, or enjoying a holiday. However, keep this in mind that it is still up to the border control in each country to decide whom to allow and whom not

Depending on the purpose of the visit, there are a few types of Schengen visas for Indians. They are:

With a Type A or Airport Transit Visa, you can transit through or wait for your connecting flight at an airport in a Schengen Area country. You need to apply for this visa if you are travelling from a non-Schengen country, including India, to another non-Schengen country and have to wait for a connecting flight to a Schengen country airport. However, you cannot enter the country with this visa. 

The Type B Schengen Visa is also the Transit Visa. It allows you to transit through more than one Schengen country on the way to a non-Schengen country and is valid for 5 days.

The most popular Schengen visa is the Type C Short Stay visa. Schengen Area country visa service centres (including embassies, consulates, or external providers) are the official visa application providers. With this visa, you can travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 6 months. 

These are the category C Schengen visa features:

According to the purpose of your trip, the short-stay category C Schengen visa can be a:

You will need the type D long-stay Schengen visa, also known as the national visa, if you want to study, work, or live in a Schengen country. According to the purpose of your trip, the type D visa can be:

You can apply for a Type D visa if you are travelling for: 

The Schengen country you plan to stay in will issue the Schengen Type D visa based on their national legislation. You may need to contact the national visa service centres to learn more about the conditions and formalities you need to meet. Depending upon your circumstances, you may get a Type D visa either as a single or multiple-entry long-stay visa.

The Schengen visa allows you to travel to the Schengen Area for 90 days. This visa is valid for a period of 6 months. If you're planning several trips to and from the Schengen Area, you can apply for the Schengen Multiple Entry visa.

Processing a Schengen visa can take a long time, so it is best to apply for a Schengen visa application process a few weeks ahead. Once an application is submitted, you may need to wait around 15 days to know whether your visa was approved or rejected. However, in rare instances, you may need to wait up to 45 days. 

The table below lists some basic Schengen visa costs for Indians, which you will need to pay at the time of application.

*Note these visa fees may change as per different travel agencies and government guidelines also, they are non-refundable.

Here are the documents you need while applying for a Schengen visa:

If you are the legal guardian or parent of a minor applying for a Schengen visa, you will need to submit further documentation. These documents include:

*Note the list of documents is changeable and the consular office can ask for more necessary documents.

Here are the key photo requirements you need to follow during your Schengen visa application process.

Follow these simple steps to apply for Schengen visa online.

No, a visa on arrival for an Indian passport is still not available for any European countries. However, you can apply for Schengen visa online and easily visit most European countries.

So, now that you know you need travel insurance to get a Schengen visa, look for a plan that covers everything that could go wrong while you are abroad, not just medical costs. For a budget-friendly option, check out Acko Travel Insurance for Schengen visa to cover accidents, illnesses or medical emergencies. It will also cover you if you lose your passport, money for your trip, and a lot of other things.