Who Needs a Schengen Visa?

Indian citizens require a Schengen Visa to travel to the EU or visit the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or family purposes.

Schengen Visa for US Green Card Holders from India?

Yes, US Green Card holders from India need a Schengen Visa despite enjoying similar benefits to US citizens, as visa-free travel to the Schengen Area is not granted.

Things To Consider When Applying For The Schengen Visa?

In this section, I will cover the different types of Schengen Visas, the visa fees, and the Schengen Visa processing time.

What Are The Different Types Of Schengen Visas?

The first part of your Schengen Visa application is to determine your purpose. This is very important because it will determine the type of Europe visa for Indians you will apply for.

Here is a list of visas that are mainly used to visit the Schengen Area:

If you travel to another country and must transit through a Schengen Country, you must apply for a Transit Visa. The Transit Visa is also referred to as the Type A Visa. In addition, you can enter the airport’s international section with a “Category A” USV, sometimes an Airport Transit Visa. For connecting flights, layovers, etc., this sort of visa only allows you to pass through the airport in a Schengen nation. It forbids you from traveling to any Schengen country or region.

A Schengen tourist visa is another name for the Schengen visa for Indians. This is because visiting the Schengen Zone for tourism is arguably the most popular reason to do so. Therefore, you must apply for a Europe visa for Indians if you intend to travel to any of the great Schengen Countries to enjoy the fantastic sites, cultures, and locations. This type of Schengen Visa for Indians is considered a Type C Visa.

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Schengen Visa Application?

Although I have mentioned that you can wait up to 15 days for your visa to be processed, I suggest you start well in advance.

To complete your Schengen Visa application, you must gather the required documents, which may take time. That’s why I suggest you try and apply at least 4 weeks before your planned departure date.

When Do I Need To Apply For My Schengen Visa?

The earliest time you can start applying for your Schengen visa for Indians is 6 months before your departure date. However, I suggest you start your Schengen Visa application at least 2 months before traveling.

How To Apply For A Visa For Europe From India?

Okay, now we’ve covered the most important Schengen Visa information. One of the last and main things I must discuss is the Schengen Visa Application process.

As I mentioned earlier, applying through APAPLskylink is the fastest and easiest option when applying for your Schengen Visa.

Step 1: Gather The Required Documents

Priorities come first. Gather the necessary paperwork for your visa application. Of course, you can do this later, but gathering your materials ahead of time can help you comprehend the visa application procedure.

To be safe, make copies of all the necessary paperwork in case you misplace something.

Step 2: Complete The Application Form

The second step is to fill out the Schengen Visa application form online, ensuring you print and sign it before submission. The form requires basic personal and travel details, which, once completed, should be added to your document pile.

Step 4: Attend Your Visa Appointment

Once your Schengen Visa appointment is scheduled, arrive 15-20 minutes early at the designated Embassy or Consulate. A VFS Visa Center official will ask about your trip and require document submission, including a persuasive cover letter. Detailed information about the appointment will be covered later in this post.

Step 3: Schedule A Visa Appointment

Now that you have all the required documents, you must schedule your visa appointment (also known as a visa interview). There are a few ways you can schedule your visa appointment, such as:

These are the ways you can schedule your visa appointment.

Step 5: Wait For Your Visa To Be Processed

The Schengen Visa waiting period varies by country, but typically takes around 15 days. During processing, officials conduct background checks. After submission, relax and await visa processing.

Step 6: Receive Feedback That Your Visa Is Approved

After a 15-day processing period, collect your approved visa from the Embassy or Consulate. If there’s no update, contact them for your visa status. Some applications offer online status checks.

Things To Know After Getting Your Europe Visa For Indians

In this section, let’s look at some of the important information that you should know about after applying for a visa for Europe from India:

Can I Extend My Schengen Visa?

Generally speaking, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, you cannot extend a Schengen Visa while traveling. If you want to stay longer, you must leave the Schengen Area and get a new visa before returning to prolong your vacation.

When Will I Receive Feedback After Appealing The Visa Decision?

A visa appeal doesn’t have a fixed processing period; it can vary. While it often takes about 4 weeks, in rare cases, it may extend to 8 weeks. Following appeal approval, competent authorities promptly issue the visa, typically within 4 to 7 business days.

You’re Now Ready For The Schengen Experience!

I hope that you enjoyed reading our guide for the Schengen Visa. The next time you travel to any one of the Schengen Areas, I know you have all the information for a successful application process.

If you want to skip all the hassles of applying for your Schengen Visa, I suggest you use APAPLskylink. Also, please check out our FAQ section for more information.

Trusted Sources

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