So, you have an Indian passport and have been enjoying smooth
Visa process for countries like Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore . Try your hand at Schengen Visa and you will
realize how much pain Indians have to go through to visit a country just as a
tourist for few days. You will need to
do more preparation than you would have done for a job interview.
Schengen Visa: It is a common visa that allows visitors,
entry to multiple countries in Europe which have signed Schengen agreement. You can find complete details
here. If you are planning to visit one
or more countries out of these, then you need to apply for Schengen Visa. Also
remember that if you want to visit any other European country not listed below, then a separate Visa is required from
respective country.
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Following is the list
of documents that need to be submitted:
Passport valid at least three months beyond the stay in the
Schengan area, with available pages for visa sticker and of “standard” quality
(not damaged, torn, faded etc). Your previous passport (mandatory). Passport
issued for 20 years are not accepted.
Visa application forms duly filled & signed by Passenger.
Two Latest passport size Photographs, white back ground w/o
Border, 45 X 35 mm, 80% face should be Cover on Photo.
A covering letter drafted on the passenger’s Letter Heads or
normal paper (personal/official) to the respective consulate. (Mention purpose,
duration of visit, who will bear the Expenses & complete itinerary ). The
letter should be signed by applicant.
Confirm Hotel Booking/Accommodation
Confirmed Return Air Ticket
Bookings for internal travel like bus or train booking
between cities.
Travel insurance: Overseas medical insurance with minimum
coverage of Euro 30,000 – for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses
(Photocopy)
NOC from company stating that you will join office back on a
particular date.
Address proof in case your passport is not issued from your
current city.
Last six months salary slips If salaried
Last Three Years Income Tax Returns (Personal)
Last Six Months Original Bank Statement (Personal) with Name
& Address to be mentioned on it.
If you have been refused a visa by an Embassy or High
Commission in the last 3 years: Written explanation about the reason for trip
and refusal and the copy of refusal from the concerned Embassy or High
Commission.
Wedding cards from both the sides, engagement/Roka
Photographs (at least 10) along with the NOC from the parents of groom &
bride both (Applicable when applying as a couple together)
Credit card copy
Copy of Passport first & last page
Documents cannot be submitted by post. You will need to
submit either in person or apply via a travel agent.
Some general tips about documents:
1. Make sure you maintain a good balance (1 Lac or above)
consistently over a period of last few months in your bank account. If you transfer a big amount just few days
before application date then that may raise eyebrows. Also a current balance of
2 lac would be a good number to show that you can bear the expenses in Europe
yourself.
2. It would be better if you have visited some other
countries earlier and thus do not have a blank passport. As per my
understanding blank passports have higher chances of rejection.
3. You can submit your fixed deposit copies as an additional
proof of funds.
4. Embassy wants to make sure you would return to your home
country hence NOC letter becomes important indicating you have to return to
your job.
5. Take every document very seriously as you never know one
document may cause a problem.
6. Though application procedure is same for all countries in Schengen Visa region, still
it would be a good idea to visit embassy web site of specific country you want
to visit. Some countries may require additional documents.
If you are thinking
that I am mentioning whole process with unnecessary seriousness :) , then it
would be good to know that my tourist visa to Spain has been denied in past and
I was not told the reason. Embassies do not require you to give a reason for
rejection. My rejection letter only has a statement” Your application has been
rejected”. Hence I have reason to inform others so that probability of
rejection is less.
When you are visiting multiple countries then embassy to
which the application should be made is decided based on following rules:
(a) The Member State whose territory constitutes the sole
destination of the visit(s).
(b) If the visit includes more than one destination, the
Member State whose territory constitutes
The main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length
or purpose of stay.
(c) If no main destination can be determined, the Member
State whose external border the
Applicant intends to cross first in order to enter the
territory of the Member States.
[Source: http://makrandtraveldiary.com/schengen-visa-requirements-for-indian-passport-holders/]
