To promote tourism in a country, its government either builds a building or spreads some unique information about the culture. Everyone likes to travel and especially when it’s about to roam abroad.
Some beautiful, high in cultural, and famous countries of the European Union (EU) launched Schengen visa services for Indians and other countries citizens.
Read More: Visa On Arrival Countries for Indians
The European countries signed the Schengen Agreement on June 14, 1985.
In this blog, we have mentioned everything connected with Schengen countries’ visas for Indians. Read the full blog and apply for your Schengen visa to explore 26 countries.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area or Schengen Visa Countries includes 26 European nations. Most countries, with their mutual understanding, decided to abolish border controls between each other. The Schengen area countries signed a Schengen Agreement.
Bulgaria and Romania are one of the non-Schengen countries that have signed the agreement, but they have not yet activated as active members. Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway are not in the European Union, but they have registered their name inside the Schengen Area.
Here Is the Complete List of 26 Schengen Area Countries
- Austria
- Belgium
- Estonia
- Greece
- Latvia
- Malta
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Slovenia
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
Which European Countries Are Not Part of the Schengen Area?
Not all EU countries are part of the Schengen agreement. They come into the Schengen zone but have not accepted the proposal to be a part of Schengen visa countries.
Here is the list of countries associated with Europe, but they do not come into the Schengen Zone.
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Ireland
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Serbia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Romania
The microstates of Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City have not signed any Schengen agreement, which means they are not members of Schengen visa countries. The microstates of Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City exist inside the Schengen area, but their existence is still not counted.
Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen Zone, but they have plans to join as members of the European Union.
What is a Schengen Visa for Indians?
The Schengen visa, also called a short-stay visa, allows Indians to visit the Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days. This visa authorises Indians to explore 26 Schengen countries within 180 days.
This visa has validity for a specific period. Schengen visa for Indians is an opportunity to travel freely between the 26 Schengen countries until the date their visa is valid.
The best part of travelling to 26 countries with a Schengen visa is that you can choose the multiple-entry option when you fill out your visa form to leave and re-enter the Schengen area within 180 days.
What are the Different Types of Schengen Visas for Indians?
Type A Schengen Visa – Airport Transit Visa
The type A visa, also known as Airport Transit Visa, gives authority to its holder, the citizen of non-Schengen states, to wait for their flight in the international zone of an airport located in a Schengen country. This type of visa is for those travelling from one non-Schengen country to another and whose flights connect to the airport of a Schengen area.
But, a person with this type of visa has no permission to enter the Schengen country where he is waiting for his flight to reach his destination country.
Type B Schengen Visa
This visa is sanctioned on the name of those whose journey will last fewer than five days, and their current visa states are replaced by type “C” with the state “transit”.
Type C Schengen Visa
It is the most common one of the Schengen countries’ visas for Indians. A short-stay Schengen visa is issued to the applicant by the visa service providers, such as embassies or consulates of the Schengen area country.
With the short stay Schengen visa, you can stay and travel to explore the Schengen area for less than 90 days over 180 days.
To leave or enter the Schengen visa countries, you can mention a single-entry, a double-entry, or a multiple-entry in your visa application form for the short-stay category C Schengen visa.
Type D Schengen Visa
This national visa is generally applied by those who want to stay in a Schengen country to study, work or live for longer than 90 days (up to 1 year).
What are the Reasons to Apply for a Short-Stay Schengen Visa?
Apply for a Schengen visa if you want to travel to European countries for the following purposes.
- Tourism
- Business
- Visiting friends or family
- Attend cultural events
- Be a part of sporting events
- Airport and seafaring transit visits
- Official visits
- Medical tourism
- Short-term study
- Research purposes
If you are a frequent traveller, you should apply for a multiple-entry Schengen Visa, which comes with validity for up to five years. When you visit your destination Schengen area with these multiple Schengen permits, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days in 180 days.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa From India?
Contact the consular authorities of the Schengen visa country you want to go to for your Schengen visa. If the country you wish to visit does not provide embassy or consulate services, you can approach the officially authorised agencies for your visa stamping and processing.
Just like Superb Enterprise is officially approved by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to provide certificate attestation services to the applicant. Similarly, the government authorities have legally authorised agencies to receive application files for visa processing services.
What are the Documents Required for a Schengen Visa?
Submit the following documents with your Schengen visa application duly completed and signed by the authorities for your Schengen visa.
- Two recent id photos
- Your passport copy
- A letter that includes the reason for your trip
- Your return ticket confirmation
- Your accommodation proof
- Travel insurance certificate
How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost for Indians?
The fees for a type C Schengen visa are;
- For adults, €80 (6,425.14 Indian Rupee)
- For children between the age group of 6 to 12, €40 (3,212.57 Indian Rupee)
The Schengen countries visa for Indian children under the age of 6 is free.
When Should You Apply for a Schengen Visa?
Apply for your Schengen visa three to six months before the date of your tour trip. It is because the authority may take time to scrutinise your documents and provide attestation on your certificate if your purpose of living is to study or work in any Schengen zone country and process your visa.
Read More: Best Countries to Work Abroad for Indians
What is Schengen Travel Insurance?
Is Travel Insurance mandatory for Schengen Visa application?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory to apply for a Schengen Visa. Whatever travel and medical insurance you take must cover the whole Schengen Area.
Yes, it must cover the countries you are going to, and you have no plans to visit. Your travel and medical insurance should be a minimum of €30,000 (24,08,719.68 Indian Rupee) and cover accidents, illnesses, emergency treatments, and death.
How much Bank Balance is Required for a Schengen Visa?
Your bank balance must show that you have €3000 (2,40,916.55 Indian Rupee) to apply for a Schengen visa. If you do not have this amount in your bank, you can show your family or guardian’s bank account as your sponsor.
Contact us for document attestation services if you plan to visit a Schengen country.
