Fancy a trip to Europe? You must! A trip to Europe is
not as expensive as you may think and can be one of the most enriching
experiences of your life. Each country has its own unique culture which is so
different from our own here in India. From spectacular monuments to scenic
landscapes, from trekking and adventure opportunities to a vigorous nightlife,
Europe has it all. The first step of course is to get your Visa.
Here is all that you need to know about the Schengen
visa for Indians:
What is a Schengen visa:
Short-stay or “Schengen” visas allow holders to move
freely in countries in the Schengen Area for stays not exceeding 90 days per
period of 6 months from your first entry to the Schengen Area. Schengen visas
may be issued for one or several entries. This type of visa is generally issued
for tourism, business travel, family visits.
Indian nationals and nationals of other countries
legally residing in India can apply for a Schengen visa to travel to one or
more of the countries in the Schengen area. On obtaining the Schengen visa, the
holder is allowed to circulate within the Schengen territory multiple numbers
of times. However, if the holder of this visa leaves the Schengen territory,
he/she cannot re-enter again without a new valid visa.
Which countries are covered by the Schengen visa?
As per the European Union, there are currently 26
European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the
European Union. These 26 countries share a common legal framework and there are
no checks on the borders between them.
The
countries issuing Schengen visas are:-
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*
Switzerland
Countries marked as * are included in the European
Union.
When
to apply:-
According to the EU, it is advisable to lodge the
application at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. It is
important to note that applications can be lodged no more than three months
before the start of the intended visit.
How
to apply:-
Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment
for the lodging of an application.
The applicant shall present a valid travel document
(passport) which extends at least three months after the intended date of
departure from the territory of the Member States (or, in the case of several
visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the
Member States). It shall contain at least two blank pages and shall have been
issued within the previous 10 years.
One shall download the latest form of the application
since that is the only form accepted.
Download the latest Schengen visa application form
2016
The application form can be filled in either by
handwriting or by typing into it. The applicant has to sign the form in the
corresponding gaps. If the applicant is a minor, the parents have to submit a
written consent and also sign in the corresponding column of the application
form.
Requirements:-
Every Schengen country shares more or less the same
requirements for issuing a visa. However, depending on the consulate/embassy,
there can be small differences in the additional documents required.
The application form must be fully completed and signed
in the corresponding blanks.
One recently captures passport-size photo is to be
attached.
The passport as well as all the copies of your
previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is
required.
The passport must have at least two blank pages.
One must have a copy of the reservation of the return
ticket for the time intended to be travelling.
The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured,
covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones
native country due to medical motives. This health insurance policy has to
cover expenses up to 30,000 euros, the sum depending on the residing days, and
also it has to be valid in all Schengen countries. The health insurance policy
must be purchased before picking up the visa and if your visa is refused you
can cancel it!
In
addition, tourists need to submit:-
Bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
The detailed itinerary of the traveling days in the
Schengen Zone, hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a resident
of a Schengen country.
Where
to apply:-
In cases where the applicant will be traveling to one
and only one Schengen country, the applicant has to apply at the appropriate
embassy/consulate of the certain country.
If the applicant is planning to visit two or more
Schengen countries, it is highly recommended to be applying for the visa in the
embassy/consulate of the country you will be residing in for most of the traveling
days, referred to as the main destination.
In case there is no main destination but just a
random visit to several Schengen countries, the applicant has to apply for the
visa in the embassy/consulate on the first Schengen country he/she will enter according
to the itinerary.
Once it’s determined in which embassy/consulate one
will apply in, the applicant will apply in the embassy/consulate of that
country that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
If
visa is refused:-
Even after the applicant submits all the required
documentation and proof, the consulate/embassy has the authority to deny
him/her the visa since there is no right to a Schengen visa whatsoever. The
magnitude of the documentation will assure the applicant that the request is
accepted and will be preceded yet it’s never a guarantee to an issued Schengen
visa. Therefore, it’s highly recommended not to make nonrefundable travel
arrangement prior to getting the visa.
Applicants who have been refused a visa have the
right to appeal. Appeals shall be conducted against the Member State that has
taken the final decision on the application and in accordance with the national
law of that Member State.
Disclaimer:-
The information provided in this article is to the best of our knowledge.
Please visit the embassy website for the most recent updates.
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