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A Schengen Visa is a visa issued by any of the 26 Schengen member countries, and it allows the visa holder to travel freely within the Schengen zone on a single visa, without any border control and passport checks. Schengen visa holders can stay for up to 90 days in a six (6) month period. The Schengen countries are 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. Schengen visa is valid for leisure and business travel only.
Additionally, travelers with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa can also enter, stay and transit other European countries that are outside of the Schengen zone such as Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania WITHOUT the need for an additional visa (for tourist purposes)
Schengen Visa Document Requirements
Business:
1. Valid passport must not be older than 10 years also it must be valid for at least THREE MONTHS longer than the intended stay. The passport must also have at least TWO BLANK PAGES to affix the visa and should be along with all old passport booklets. Handwritten passports, Passports with observation and passports of 20 year validity are NOT acceptable.
2. 2 clear photo copies of passports first and last pages.
3. 1 Online Visa Applicantion Form to be filled and duly signed at two places (column #37 and in last) by the passenger in his own handwriting only.
1) Link for online Application form (https://www.vfsvisaservices.com/Swiss-Global-Appointment/AppScheduling/AppWelcome.aspx)
4. Disclaimer Form and Medical Declaration Form signed by the passenger.
5. 2 Photograph in matt finish should be latest with 80% face coverage and white background (3.5mm x 4.5mm).
6. Covering Letter on company letter head (Addressed to The Visa officer, The consulate of Switzerland) with mentioning duration of visit, purpose of visit, expenses clause .
7. Invitation Letter
8. Travel Insurance as per Schengen specification, matching with ticket dates with risk coverage of Euro 30,000. For downloading the list of Approved Insurance Companies and detailed information on Travel Insurance please visit our visa forms section of our website.
9. Return Confirmed ticket, covering all the sectors
10. Confirmed Hotel as per the ticket (with hotel Name, Address, Telephone no and Email. Id)
11. Company registration certificate
12. Original updated Personal bank statement for last 6 months with bank seal and signature from the authorized person from the Bank.
13. Personal Income Tax Return for Last 3 years.
14. Original updated company bank statement for last 6 months with bank seal and signature from the authorized person from the Bank.
15. Company Income Tax Return for Last 3 years.
16. Occupation proof
In case of Employee –
a) Proof of employment (employment certificate/NOC) and Pay slip of last 3 months.
In case applicant is the proprietor / owner of the company-
a) Cover letter on companies letter head ,company’s Original 3 month’s bank statement (with bank seal and signature), proof of paid income tax (for 3 years), company memo, partnership deal, establishment license or proprietorship etc are required.
For student-
a) leave letter / report card issued from School and ID is required.
If the applicant is sponsored –
a) proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a national form of the Schengen State concerned (seethe website of the Member State of destination)
If the applicant is retired–
a) Proof of retirement, pension statements for the last three months; – proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business.
17. Proof of Occupation
a) Company Registration Certificate / Certificate of Incorporation / Proof of Proprietorship / Partnership Deed
b) Brief Company Profile
c) Articles of Memorandum (In case the applicant is MD/Director)
d) Last 3 month’s personal & business bank account statements
e) Company’s Indian Income Tax Return for the last 2 assessment years
18. BIOMETRIC MANDATORY for all Applicants w.e.f. 02-Nov-2015. (Please see instructions below)
Tourist:
1. Valid passport must not be older than 10 years also it must be valid for at least THREE MONTHS longer than the intended stay. The passport must also have at least TWO BLANK PAGES to affix the visa and should be along with all old passport booklets. Handwritten passports, Passports with observation and passports of 20 year validity are NOT acceptable.
2. 2 clear photo copies of passports first and last pages.
3. 1 Online Visa Applicantion Form to be filled and duly signed at two places (column #37 and in last) by the passenger in his own handwriting only.
1) Link for online Application form (https://www.vfsvisaservices.com/Swiss-Global-Appointment/AppScheduling/AppWelcome.aspx)
4. 2 Photograph in matt finish should be latest with 80% face coverage and white background (3.5mm x 4.5mm).
5. Personal Covering Letter (Addressed to The Visa officer, The consulate of Switzerland) with mentioning duration of visit, purpose of visit, expenses clause .Details of all Applicants with name, passport number, If Applicable
6. Travel Insurance as per Schengen specification, matching with ticket dates with risk coverage of Euro 30,000. For downloading the list of Approved Insurance Companies and detailed information on Travel Insurance please visit our visa forms section of our website.
7. Tour itinerary /Day to day Itinerary
8. Return Confirmed ticket, covering all the sectors
9. Confirmed Hotel as per the ticket (with hotel Name, Address, Telephone no and Email. Id)
10. Original updated Personal bank statement for last 3 months with bank seal and signature from the authorized person from the Bank.
11. Personal Income Tax Return for Last 2 years.
12. Occupation proof
In case of Employee –
a) Proof of employment (employment certificate/NOC) and Pay slip of last 3 months.
In case applicant is the proprietor / owner of the company-
a) Cover letter on companies letter head ,company’s Original 3 month’s bank statement (with bank seal and signature), proof of paid income tax (for 3 years), company memo, partnership deal, establishment license or proprietorship etc are required.
For student-
a) leave letter / report card issued from School and ID is required.
If the applicant is sponsored –
a) proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a national form of the Schengen State concerned (seethe website of the Member State of destination)
If the applicant is retired–
a) Proof of retirement, pension statements for the last three months; – proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business.
If applicant is travelling for honeymoon then Marriage certificate or Marriage Card and Engagement /Marriage photographs are required.
If minor is accompanied by one parent/travelling alone shall provide aNOTARIZED NOC from other/both parents with their passport copy.
Self Employed
a) Company Registration Certificate / Certificate of Incorporation / Proof of Proprietorship / Partnership Deed
b) Brief Company Profile
c) Articles of Memorandum (In case the applicant is MD/Director)
13. BIOMETRIC MANDATORY for all Applicants w.e.f. 02-Nov-2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Schengen Visa allows you to travel throughout the 26 Schengen countries without having to get a visa for each individual country. You may travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Schengen Visa was introduced to make travelling faster and easier between all the EU countries that signed up for the agreement.
A Schengen Visa (issued by a consulate or embassy of a Schengen State) is valid for all 26 States of the Schengen Area unless it is marked otherwise on the visa sticker. So you do not need another visa to enter or stay in the Schengen territory. However, you must be in possession of documentary evidence for the reasons of your stay and your means of support. Schengen Area comprises of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Schengen Visa is a short stay visa and takes the form of a sticker affixed to your passport. The definition of “short stay” is a stay of "90 days in any 180 days period". This means that the total duration of stay is of maximum 90 days in any period of 180 days. The precise length of validity of your Schengen Visa is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading “Duration of visit”. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading "Number of entries" by "1". A two-entry or a multiple-entry visa allows for two or several entries during the validity of the Schengen Visa. This is indicated on the visa sticker by "02" or "MULT" under the heading "Number of entries".
No, not necessarily all Schengen Visas will be granted for 90 days. You may get the Schengen Visa only for the number of days that you present in your travel itinerary and your flight & hotel bookings
You are free to apply again for a Schengen Visa if your application has been refused earlier.
The Schengen Visa cover letter is a letter which summarizes your intent to travel to a country that is part of the Schengen area. In your cover letter you should explain:
- the purpose of your trip
- when and where you intend to travel
- how your trip is going to be funded
- day-by-day itinerary for your trip
- duration of the trip
You cannot extend your Schengen Visa while in a Schengen country except in special circumstances, and exceeding your permitted period of stay is considered an act of illegality or criminality. Instead, you must return to your home country within the permitted period of stay and apply for another Schengen Visa if necessary.
A short-stay Schengen Visa allows you to enter and stay in a Schengen territory for a maximum period of 90 days within a period of six months.
The Schengen visa fees for Indians starts from Rs. 7,199. Our dedicated team of Visa experts will cater to all your Schengen Visa requirements and guide you throughout the Schengen Visa application process. You will have a dedicated Visa expert handling your Schengen Visa application.
The easiest way to apply for a Schengen Visa is to contact us. We are experts in the travel and tourism sector with over 40 years of experience. Through our expertise, in-depth knowledge, and integrity, we commit to delivering an exceptional experience to our customers each time you use our service.
Here are the steps to apply for a Schengen Visa through Akbar Travels:
While the Schengen visa process is standardized, each country can have specific nuances in their application requirements. Here’s a comparison of some common requirements and differences among various Schengen countries:
- France
- Visa Types: Short-stay (Tourism, Business) and Long-stay visas.
- Processing Time: Typically 15 days, but can take longer during peak seasons.
- Embassy Specifics: May require an appointment for biometric data collection.
- Germany
- Visa Types: Different types based on purpose (e.g., study, work).
- Application Submission: Can be submitted through VFS Global centers.
- Interview: Might require an interview depending on the case.
- Italy
- Special Considerations: Requirements can differ significantly by region (e.g., South vs. North).
- Visa Fees: Higher fees for specific nationalities or longer stays.
- Processing: May take up to 30 days during busy seasons.
- Spain
- Cultural Events: If attending events, tickets or invitations may be required.
- Health Insurance: Needs to cover at least the duration of stay with specific clauses.
- Proof of Ties: Often requires documentation showing ties to home country.
- Netherlands
- Independence for Family Visits: May require specific documents proving family ties.
- Health Insurance: Must meet certain coverage criteria.
- Processing: May vary based on nationality, especially for non-EU applicants.
- Sweden
- Application Centers: Can be submitted via authorized centers in some countries.
- Additional Documentation: May require proof of accommodations in some cases.
- Visa Fees: Reduced fees for certain age groups.
- Belgium
- Family Reunion: Specific documentation required if applying for family reunification.
- Additional Requirements: Might ask for proof of your educational status.
- Processing Times: Can be longer during peak tourist seasons.
- Austria
- Event Attendance: Requires proof of events if visiting for a specific purpose.
- Financial Proof: May require a bank guarantee in some cases.
- Insurance Requirements: Must explicitly cover emergency repatriation.
- Portugal
- Diverse Visa Options: Different types depending on purpose (work, study, etc.).
- Additional Documents: Proof of sufficient accommodation (if not staying in hotels).
- Processing Time: Can vary significantly based on the region.
- Finland
- Language Requirement: Some documents may need to be translated into Finnish or Swedish.
- Additional Evidence: May ask for proof of previous travel history.
- Application via VFS: Most applications are processed through VFS Global.