The Schengen visa encompasses several types tailored to different travel purposes and durations within the Schengen Area. The Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) comprises Type A for airport transit and Type B for transit through land or sea borders. Additionally, the Type C visa offers single, double, or multiple entries for short-term stays, catering to various intents such as tourism, business, or family visits. Moreover, National Visas (NV) are available for long-term stays, such as study, work, or family reunification, while Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV) are issued exceptionally when Schengen states hold jurisdiction over specific territories. Each visa type serves distinct travel needs and durations, ensuring flexibility for travelers across the Schengen Area.

Visa Types

If you are planning a trip to Europe, this is the perfect place for you. Awesome! Were you aware that once you have acquired a Schengen pass, you shall have direct access to the 29 countries from European Schengen Zone? No more trifles or papers. Here, we intend to several key aspects of Schengen Visa from India Residents in detail – the different types and validity, as well as many others.

Before traveling to any of the Schengen Countries, travelers have to apply for and get a visa by the embassy or consulate from which they want to enter as a primary destination or stay longer at. Generally, the application process calls for submitting required papers, attend to an appointment or interview and await your visa processing. You need to get the visa beforehand for entering to Schengen Area without any trouble.

What are the different Types of Schengen visit Visas

 

  • airport transit
  • transit through land or sea borders
  • visa offers single, double, or multiple entries for short-term stays
  • catering to various intents such as tourism, business, or family visits
  • National Visas (NV): are available for long-term stays such as study, work, or family reunification
  • Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV): are issued exceptionally when Schengen states hold jurisdiction over specific territories

What are the documents needed for Schengen Visa?

  • Original Passport with at least 6 months validity and minimum 3 blank pages + all old passports if any
  • 2 recent colour photographs (Photo Specification);
  • Personal Covering letter (For Employed – Plain paper/ For Self-Employed – Company Letterhead);
  • Original updated Bank Statement (last 3/6 months)
  • Income Tax Returns/Form 16 for last 3 years
  • Flight ticket itinerary
  • Hotel reservation
  • Day wise Itinerary
  • Marriage & birth certificates ( apply with family only)
  • Travel Insurance (minimum coverage of EUR 30000).

Employment Proof:

 

1. If Employed:-

  • Original Leave sanctioned certificate with company seal and signature
  • Last 3 months salary slip.

2. If Self Employed:-

  • Business Registration License / MOA / Partnership deed/ GST certificate
  • Processing time: 20-25 days
  • Stay period: Upto 3 months
  • Validity: 6 month
  • Entry: Single/Multiple
  • Fees: 7500

What is the procedure for applying for a Schengen visiting Visa?

Here are the steps to follow:

Gather Required Documents:

  • Passport: Make sure your passport is valid, less than 10 years old and still has at least 3 months validity from the date you plan to go.
  • Photographs: Submit 2 recent photographs with a matte background, displaying the face size of 70-80% (35X45 mm).
  • Flight Bookings: Present a return ticket booking that has been made to and from the Schengen area.
  • Travel Itinerary: Create an extensive travel schedule including the activities, dates and accommodations in detail for your stay within Schengen Area.
  • Accommodation: Include a letter from your host stating evidence of where you’ll be staying, e.g. hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings or an invitation letter.
  • Travel Insurance: Buy travel insurance for at least €30,000 that covers the whole Schengen period.
  • Financial Documents: Depending on your status:

    – For Employed: Upload your employment contract, leave sanction letter from your employer, and ITR documents.

    – For Self-Employed: Include a clear, readable copy of your business license. Additionally, provide company bank statements going back 6 months and the IT-201 Income Tax Return document.

    – For Students: Submit an enrolment proof along with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your college/university.

  • Proof of Legal Residence: In case of non-Indian citizens, submit proof for your lawful stay in India.
  • Additional Documents: You should submit additional documents based on the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, family reasons etc.), i.e. invitation letter, marriage certificate and no objection certificates.

Schedule an Appointment:

Go to the embassy/consulate’s website and book an appointment for visa submission. Expect to pay the cost of the visa  from India(which can depend on your country of origin and type of visa).

Attend the Visa Appointment:

  • Please come to the embassy/consulate on the date/time specified. Carry all the necessary documents in original and xerox copies.
  • You may also need to give fingerprints and a photo at your appointment.

Await Visa Processing:

  • Visa processing times may vary, but you can usually expect to hear in

Schengen Travel Visa Processing Time:

The average processing time Visa is approximately 15 working days. Take this time frame into consideration when you are planning your trip and visa application. Make sure you apply for visa online with plenty of time to spare before your planned travel dates for processing, particularly during peak seasons.

Benefits of Taking Schengen Tourist visa:

It offers several advantages due to the Schengen Area’s unique arrangement of 26 countries:

Multi-Country Travel: With a visa you can visit several countries within the Schengen area with only one visa. This streamlines travel, so you can see diverse cultures and landscapes all in one trip.

Time and Effort Savings: Rather than separately applying for and paying for visas in each country you wish to visit, a Visa for India Residents will cut through the red tape. This not only saves time, but also lessens the burden of administration for multiple visa applications.

Streamlined Passport Entry: Once Visa stamp in your passport you can travel to all 26 Schengen countries. This equals less time wasted on bureaucratic check-in processes and more time to Enjoy your stay.

Checklist of Schengen Countries: