Schengen Tourist Visa (Europe)
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Schengen Tourist Visa (Europe)
A Schengen Tourist Visa allows you to visit 27 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area – including popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. For Indian travelers, it enables you to tour multiple European countries under a single visa.
This is a short-term visa (Type C), allowing stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Once issued, you can travel freely across Schengen countries without internal border checks.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for a Schengen tourist visa, you must meet the following:
- Valid Indian Passport: Your passport must have at least 3 months validity beyond your planned exit from Schengen and 2 blank pages.
- Purpose of Travel: Must be for tourism, visiting friends/family, or attending non-work short-term events. Paid work is not allowed.
- Financial Means: You must show that you can afford your trip – each country has a per-day minimum (around €50–120/day depending on accommodation). Provide recent bank statements as proof.
- Strong Ties to India: You should demonstrate reasons to return (job, family, education, business, property, etc.).
- No Criminal Record: You must not pose a security risk. Serious criminal history may lead to refusal.
- Travel Insurance: Mandatory. It must cover at least €30,000 for emergency medical, evacuation, and repatriation, valid across all Schengen countries.
- Visa History: If you’ve had a previous Schengen visa, you must have followed its terms (no overstays, etc.).
- Correct Jurisdiction: Apply to the country where you will spend the most time. If equal, then apply to the country of first entry.
Required Documents:
Prepare the following standard documents (embassy-specific checklists may slightly vary):
- Visa Application Form: Fully filled and signed.
- Passport: Valid with required validity and blank pages. Include photocopies of previous visas and travel stamps.
- Photographs: Two recent passport-size photos (35mm x 45mm, white background, no glasses).
- Cover Letter: A personal letter explaining your travel plan, reason for visit, travel dates, financial support, and assurance of return.
- Travel Itinerary: Day-wise travel plan, including countries, cities, and transportation methods.
- Flight Reservations: Round-trip flight reservation matching your travel plan. Do not purchase actual tickets before visa approval.
- Accommodation Proof: Hotel bookings for each day of stay. If staying with family/friends, submit an invitation letter and a copy of the host’s ID/residence proof.
- Travel Insurance: Insurance document covering the full trip and fulfilling Schengen minimums (€30,000 coverage).
- Financial Proof:
- 3–6 months of bank statements
- Income Tax Returns (last 2–3 years)
- Pay slips or business income proof
- Property or investment documents (optional but helpful)
- Employment or Education Proof:
- NOC from employer or school/college
- Employment certificate or business registration if self-employed
- Civil Documents (if applicable):
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate (for minors)
- Consent letter from parents (if a minor travels alone)
- Invitation Letter (if visiting someone): Letter from the host detailing your relationship, address, duration of stay, and their ID/residence card copy.
- Photocopies: Many consulates require both originals and photocopies.
Application Process:
Indian citizens can apply for a Canada Tourist Visa through two main pathways: online via the IRCC portal or offline via VFS Global visa application centers.
01
Choose the Right Embassy:
Apply to the consulate of the country where you’ll spend the most time (or first entry if time is equal).
02
Schedule Appointment:
Apply via VFS Global or the relevant embassy’s portal. Choose an appointment for in-person document submission and biometrics.
03
Fill Out Form:
Complete the visa form (online or offline, depending on country). Print and sign.
04
Prepare Documents:
Gather all required documents. Some consulates require demand drafts for visa fees.
05
Attend Appointment
Go to the visa center on time. Submit your documents and give fingerprints/photo. Biometrics are valid for 5 years for future applications.
06
Pay Fees:
Visa fee is usually €80 (approx. ₹7,000 for adults). VFS may charge an additional service fee.
07
Wait for Processing:
Processing usually takes 10–15 working days. It may take longer during peak seasons.
08
8. Receive Passport:
Pick up or receive by courier. If approved, your passport will have a Schengen visa sticker. If rejected, you will get a written reason for refusal.
Visa Processing Time:
Approximately 80–100 working days for Indian applicants (this is about 4 months). The processing time can vary depending on the volume of applications and the specifics of your case. During peak travel seasons or due to backlogs, it might even extend beyond this range. It’s highly recommended to apply at least 3-4 months in advance. (Note: If you have an urgent travel need, you may try for priority processing by paying extra, but this option is not always available for visitor visas.)
Visa Validity & Stay Duration:
- Typical Validity: First-time travelers often receive visas only for the trip duration. Frequent travelers may get 1-year, 2-year, or 5-year multi-entry visas.
- Stay Duration: You can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Entry Rules: If issued by France, ideally enter through France. It’s not mandatory, but entering through the issuing country avoids complications.
- Overstay: Avoid overstaying even by a single day. Fines, bans, or future visa refusals can result.
How Sagar Visas Can Help:
- Itinerary Planning: We help plan a realistic multi-country route that satisfies visa criteria and avoids red flags.
- Documents & Forms: We assist with form filling, ensure all documents are correct, and double-check for consistency.
- Financial Review: We review your bank balance, income proof, and may suggest a sponsor if required. We ensure you meet daily fund requirements.
- Insurance Assistance: We help you get valid Schengen-compliant insurance policies.
- Booking Support: We assist with refundable or dummy flight and hotel bookings suitable for visa.
- Appointment Scheduling: We book your appointments and prepare you for what to expect at the center.
- Interview Prep (if needed): In rare cases of interviews, we coach you on answering questions confidently.
- Follow-up: We track your application status and assist if additional documents are requested or if you wish to reapply after rejection.
With Sagar Visas, your European travel dreams are in expert hands – from Eiffel Tower views to Italian gondolas, we help make it happen.
Europe’s charm is calling – from the canals of Amsterdam to the castles of Germany.
Let Sagar Visas guide you through the Schengen visa journey so you can explore Europe stress-free.
- 📞 Contact us today to get started!
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