How To Apply For Schengen Visa

Europe, being one of the most developed regions, is one of the most visited continents for business as well as leisure purpose. Around 26 countries in the region are members of the Schengen Area, outsiders need to apply for a Schengen Visa to enter, travel, and depart from any of the members of the Schengen Agreement. From natural wonders to historical manmade landmarks, Europe beckons tourists with all kinds of sightseeing opportunities. For businesspersons, the immensely advanced economies of the countries within the continent are fruitful for business collaborations and deals. But people don’t just travel to Europe for business purpose, Europe is a premier destination which attracts a lot of Indian travellers due to its grandeur that is shown in our Bollywood movies which has resulted in high demand for Schengen tourist visas for Indian passport holders.

What is a Schengen Visa?

Schengen visa is a special kind of visa which gives you access to travel freely without the immigration and border checks for a maximum period of 90 days in a period of 6 months to the Schengen countries. A treaty called the  ‘Schengen Agreement’, was signed by 26 European countries that allow you to travel within the ‘Schengen Area’ on a single visa – the Schengen Visa. Schengen countries comprise of 26 European countries that includes: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.

It is important to keep in mind that some countries, even though they are within the Schengen Area, or those that are part of the European Union, will require a separate visa. It is best to check well in advance whether the country you’re visiting accepts a Schengen Visa.

What are the steps to apply for a Schengen Visa for Indian Citizens?         

Follow the steps below and get your Schengen visa successfully in the most effortless way:

STEP 1

There are different types of Schengen visas and choosing the right type of visa depends upon the purpose of your travel and the duration of your stay, failing to which you can face a visa rejection. All these visa types have an eligibility criteria that an applicant must meet in order to obtain a visa. You can apply for a Schengen Visa at least 20 days prior to up to 3 months before your intended trip. No matter whether you are applying for work, study or a tourist visa the visa application process is somewhat similar for all.  However, acquiring a Schengen tourist visa is a much simpler process than a work or study visa. It is a short visit visa which gives you access for a single or multiple entry. The multiple entry visa is valid for up to 3 months. Applicants are required to adhere to the visa rules and regulations while applying for a Schengen visa.

Here are the Types of Schengen Visa:

• Tourist Visa

Out the several types of visa available, the Schengen Tourist Visa is the most popular one. Most of the Schengen visas are short-term visas that applicants need to have to travel to countries in the Schengen Area of Europe.

• Business Visa

This type of Visa is issued when you plan to travel to the Schengen Area for commercial purpose. This short-term Schengen Business Visa allows you to travel and stay in the Schengen area to attend business meeting and conferences, as well as take part in commercial/industrial events, exhibitions, etc.

This Visa allows the Visa-holder to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 3 months and has a validity of around 90 days.

• Medical Visa

The Schengen medical visa for Europe allows the applicant to get medical and healthcare treatment within the Schengen Area. This is normally a short term visa and is issued for the duration of the treatment.

This visa will require a letter from the medical institute/hospital where you are scheduled to undergo the medical treatment.

• Student Visa

With the Schengen Student Visa, the visa-holder can stay in the Schengen Area for pursuing higher education. This type of visa is issued to applicants on having their admission accepted by a renowned educational institute from within the Schengen Area.

• Work Visa

The Schengen Work Visa for Europe is a long-term visa. It is issued to skilled workers for the duration of their contract with the company operating within the Schengen Area.

STEP 2

Once you have determined the type of visa you need, the second step towards obtaining your visa is to gather all the necessary documents as per the purpose of your visit. People wishing to obtain a Schengen Visa need to submit the following documents:

• The duly filled Visa Application form
• Schengen visa fee
• Two recent passport-sized photograph
• Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages that is valid for a minimum of 3 months after the expiry of the visa you are applying for.
• Day wise itinerary of your visit for Schengen countries including your return and onward flight bookings with complete flight details.
• Travel Health Insurance Policy that covers expenses of at least 30,000 Euros
• Proof of hotel booking or other accommodation planned during your stay
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover one’s own expenses during the entire stay in the Schengen Area.

For a complete list of documents, click here

STEP 3

Once you have gathered all the required documents, it is better to get your application process done through a reliable source to avoid any chance of getting your Schengen visa denied. Having sufficient funds or simply filing the form is not enough to be granted a visa, there are still chances of visa rejections. In that case you can trust Akbartravels.com, who will make sure your visa is successful in the first attempt.

All you must do is visit our website Akbartravels.com and submit your details and collect your visa documents without you leaving the comfort of your home.

Also Read: Common Reasons for Schengen Visa Rejection

STEP 4

On receiving your documents; the Visa Experts will complete your visa application online, attach your documents and schedule your appointments. On the day of your appointment, you will be required to visit the Visa application centre (VAC) for documents and biometrics (fingerprint and digital photograph) submission.

 STEP 5

On the day of the appointment visit the VAC, submit your biometrics and visa file. Typically a Schengen Visa takes 5-15 days to process in the Embassy/Consulate.  The processing time for Schengen Visa is dependent on several factors and can change without notice at the consulate’s discretion.

So, are you all set to apply for your Schengen Visa? If yes, then let’s get started! The Visa Experts at Akbartravels.com will assist you with the entire process of obtaining a Schengen Visa, right from completing your application online, verifying documents, scheduling appointment to guiding you throughout the visa process. We are experts in the travel & tourism sector with over 40 years of experience and provide friendly, comprehensive, up-to-date visa services that cater to our client’s individual needs and have helped a significant number of individuals in getting a successful visa.

It’s time to gear up and apply for your Schengen Visa.

Read more about Schengen Visas

Tips to get Schengen Visa for Indians

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