Good News: Schengen Visa for Indian Travellers not halted

Putting Rumours to Rest: Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups not stopped, clarifies Swiss embassy in New Delhi

Are you also shocked by the Schengen visa news? The news has been abuzz with reports claiming that the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi has halted Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups.

**Sample of France Schengen Visa for Indians**

The temporary pause in visa appointments for Indian tour groups is due to the high volume of unprocessed visa applications, leading to a backlog. The speculation sparked concern among travellers and the tourism industry alike. However, recent clarifications by the Swiss Embassy have laid these rumours to rest, assuring that visa appointments for Indian tour groups have not been stopped.

The Schengen visa for Indians is a crucial document that allows travellers from non-European Union countries to visit any of the 26 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within six months. For Indian tourists, the Schengen visa and a Europe tour package have been a gateway to exploring the diverse landscapes, rich culture, and historical treasures of Europe. With a valid Schengen visa, Indian tour groups can freely travel across multiple countries without the need for separate visas, making it a popular choice for travellers seeking a multi-country experience.

In recent weeks, the rumour quickly spread through social media platforms, news articles, and travel forums, causing confusion among travellers and tour operators therefore, the Swiss Embassy has issued a statement, clarifying that there is no ban on visas for group tours from India.

A spokesman from the Embassy stated that “The Embassy of Switzerland in India has not suspended Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups. We have almost 800 daily appointments through the end of September 2023. These include 22 groups. People-to-people contact is at the core of Swiss-Indian relationships. In 2023, the Embassy of Switzerland in India processed more visa applications than it did in 2019. We have surpassed our pre-pandemic times processing level. From January until June, we handled 129,446 applications, as against 120,071 during the same period in 2019, a 7.8% increase. The following measures have been implemented since the beginning of this year to further ease the visa application process for Indian applicants.

First, the applicants can apply for their visa six months before their date of travel, as against one month in the past. So, someone wishing to travel in June can already apply for a visa in January. Second, the Embassy has increased its overall capacity in India. With a new Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lucknow, there are now nearly 13 VACs all over India, where applications can be submitted. Third, currently, it takes no more than 13 working days between the appointment by VFS and the Embassy’s decision on the application.” stated a spokesperson from the Embassy of Switzerland in India.

The Swiss Embassy in New Delhi has clarified that there has been no cessation of Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups. This clarification comes as a relief to the Indian tourism industry and travellers planning their European adventures. However, the incident serves as a reminder for all of us to be cautious and verify the information before accepting it as fact. By doing so, we can ensure smoother travel experiences and a stronger, more informed community of travellers.

With the Swiss embassy’s clarification, it is now evident that Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups remain unaffected and that you can easily apply for a Switzerland visa, book a magical Switzerland tour package and explore the mesmerising country with your loved ones. Well, with Akbartravels.com by your side, there is no limit to your travel dreams. From cheap flight ticket bookings and comfortable accommodation to all inclusive tour packages and visa services for all countries, trip planning is no more a challenge.

So, how about planning a tour and exploring breathtakingly beautiful places in Switzerland?

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Prisca Vaniyapilly

Travel is in Prisca’s DNA, and she is always looking to explore new places and share those experiences through writing. Off the page, she spends her free time baking, nurturing her garden, and enjoying long movie marathons to unwind and relax.