Today, Europe remains a premier destination for Indians to visit. As a result, there’s been an increased demand for Schengen visa for Indian passport holders in recent years. According to statistics from the Internal Migration & Affairs of the European Commission, Indians submitted over 700,000 applications for these visas in 2015.
A Schengen visa is a unique type of visa that enables travellers to enter through one country and travel freely within 26 European countries without having to produce their passport at every border crossing.
India is one of Europe’s most significant tourist markets, with over 10 million travelling to Europe annually. This number is expected to increase to 15 million in 2020. Given the huge number of tourists that visits Europe, various queries have risen among Indians concerning this visa and its application. Here’s what you need to know about it.
Application Requirements
When applying for a visa to travel to one or more of the member states, you need to understand the requirements as well as the application process. If you’re planning to travel, it’s advisable you apply through the consulate or embassy of the nation you’ll be staying at the most.
During your visa application, keep in mind that you need to issue the required documents personally once you’ve scheduled an appointment at the consulate or embassy. It’s always advisable to schedule the appointment at least 15 days before your departure since that’s the approximated time required for the procedure taking place in the corresponding institution.
Each Schengen nation has more or less similar requirements in issuing visas to the concerned party. However, slight differences exist here and there, depending on the embassy or consulate on the needed documents besides the major identification papers and your current financial status. Some of the documents you can expect to present include:
- A signed and completed Visa Application Form
- You should provide an attached photo, which should have a passport format, a light background, and a full-face capture. It should also be recent.
- The passport together with the copies of your former visas, valid for at least three months before your departure is necessary. The passport should have at least 2 blank pages.
- Verification of accommodation for the entire duration of the planned stay in the Schengen area
- You must demonstrate proof of adequate means of subsistence throughout the planned stay in the Schengen area. Bear in mind that this differs across countries.
- You must secure travel health insurance, covering any health emergency with hospital care. The policy should cover expenses up to €30,000; the sum depends on the residing days and it should be valid in every Schengen country. You must purchase the policy before collecting the visa and in the event that you face visa rejection, you can cancel it.
For a minor, you require these extra documents:
- The birth certificate
- Both parents need to sign the application form
- In situations where one parent has complete custody, you need to attach the family court order
- Certified copies of passport/ID of both parents
- A notarized authorization signed by either guardians or parents if the minor is to travel alone
Types of Schengen Visas
The three kinds of visas accessible to travellers worldwide are:
- Uniform Visas
This kind permits the holder to reside in or transit through a Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period from the entry date. Depending on the travel purpose, you can obtain the visa for transiting through the airport of a Schengen nation without entering the nation or for residing within the Schengen area for a certain period depending on the visa’s validity.
- Limited Visas
This visa enables the visa holder to visit and enter a particular country in the Schengen Zone. The visa holder can’t enter a different area that isn’t specified.
- National Visas
These visas are for professionals and students who have to live in a Schengen nation for a particular period. They can be acquired under multiple and single-entry schemes.
Insurance for Schengen Visa
Schengen visa insurance is compulsory for most non-U.S. citizens travelling to Schengen nations in Europe. It’s also necessary for U.S. citizens travelling for more than 90 days to Schengen areas. This policy typically covers:
- Emergency health expenses
This benefit is mandatory for this policy. In the event that you get sick or sustain an injury while on a trip, this benefit would cover eligible health costs.
- Trip interruption
This benefit is applicable in the event that you need to return home earlier than you’d intended because of covered reasons such as the demise of a close relative.
Some of the insurance plans you should consider when travelling to a Schengen area include:
Patriot Plan
If you’re looking for a plan that meets Schengen requirements, the Patriot Plan is one of them. The insurance provider offers Patriot International, a plan that offers coverage for persons travelling outside their home nation whose destination doesn’t include the U.S. or its territories. The plan is accessible for groups, individuals, and families for 5 days minimum up to a maximum of two years. Furthermore, it has a complete package of global benefits.
Atlas Plan
Atlas Travel offers coverage for unforeseen medical costs and benefits of emergency travel such as emergency health evacuation as well as kidnap and ransom circumstances abroad. Some of the benefits you can expect under this coverage include outpatient treatment and hospitalization as well as an emergency reunion.
If you’re planning to travel to a Schengen country, it’s imperative you familiarize yourself with the requirements so you can plan accordingly. Hope the guide above gives you a head start on your Schengen trip planning.