In order to get a Schengen visa, it is necessary to apply for
multiple entry visa from one of the Schengen countries. (For more on Schengen
countries, read our article.) I applied and got a tourist Schengen Visa through
the French Embassy last year: and here’s the good, bad and ugly of the process.
Where to apply?
The French Embassy has outsourced the processing of their visa
to an Indian company called VFS. So all the necessary information about what,
where, how and when is available on the VFS France site. Any applicant
can download visa forms for different categories for the site too.
How much it costs?
For information on the visa fees structure: http://visafromhome.com/schengen-visa/. When we
include the Visa fee + VFS’ processing charges, it rounds up to about Rs 5000.
How long it takes?
There are two aspects to this: first is scheduling of
appointment and then the entire procedure of submitting, interview and getting
the visa. The first part entirely depends on how busy the VFS is. I would
definitely recommend getting your appointment date at least a month or
month-and-half before your departure. This can be done online or by calling
their VSF service.
Once you have your date, the second part takes only 2 days and
is done at the French Consulate of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata (to the
best of my knowledge). So remember, if you don’t live in these cities, there
will be a trek involved.
On the scheduled appointment day, the applicant has to FIRST go
to the VFS office and submit the documents. The VFS officer then issues an
interview token upon the receiving of the visa fee for the following day. The
applicant then goes for his interview the next day (at the French Consultant)
and receives his visa the very day.
Regarding the paperwork?
Don’t underestimate the power of paperwork. If they ask for a
document, make sure you have it. And don’t let pride step-in. In my case, I
happily wrote that my father was funding my trip – even though it was not the
case – and showed his bank statements instead of mine, because of course, it
made my application stronger. I arrived with a complete set of travel,
accommodation and financial documents.
Questions at interviews?
The good news about the French Visa system is that if your paper
work is strong, then the interview is a mere formality. For the tourist visa,
they ask the usual questions like: who is funding? How many days? What
accommodation? Etc. If the applicant is traveling alone, they might ask why? To
that I simply give a guarded but confident answer like “some of my friends will
be joining me on my trip”. Please do NOT mention things like “I have
family” or boyfriend. These are strict NO. At visa interviews, it is never a
good idea to be TOO HONEST! (Though, read Aditi Tandon’s
comment below for a contrary view. Also, if you get nervous during interviews,
it might be better to just stick to the truth and slug it out).
What is a biometric?
The French consulate insists on taking biometric every time the
applicant applies for a visa. Biometrics involves taking imprints of all your 8
fingers and 2 thumbs on a machine that they keep for records. I think, all the
four consulates now have the biometric facilities available. When I applied
last year, only the Mumbai and Delhi Consulates did, which meant I had to
travel from Bangalore to Mumbai for this.
Other tips.
Even if you are actually staying with friends/family/hosts, I
would suggest for you to not mention this in your application. The French
system has a complicated procedure for anyone staying with French citizens. The
host family has to first collect a paid application from the Town hall. Next,
they are forced to answer absurd questions related to their personal/financial
situation. (Again read Aditi Tandon’s comment below for a contrary view. Also,
if you get nervous during interviews, it might be better to just stick to the
truth, get your paperwork done in advance and slug it out).
Take my advice, just make cheap hostel bookings across the
country that you can easily cancel after getting your visa: they can’t question
the bookings and it is the simplest and easiest way to keep the paper work
light. (And stick to your story during the interview).
Multiple set of original documents: Always keep two set of
originals of your bank statements or other documents. My bank statement was
misplaced by the VSF officer…thankfully I had another copy of my originals at
the day of the interview.
- See more at: http://visafromhome.com/schengen-visa/
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