COMMON INFORMATION SHEET FOR SCHENGEN VISA

COMMON INFORMATION SHEET

FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICANTS IN INDIA

WHAT IS A SCHENGEN SHORT STAY VISA?

It is an authorisation issued by one of the Member States of the Schengen Area with a view to transit

through or an intended stay in the territory of the Member States of a duration of no more than 90

days (short stay) in any 180 day period.

The processing of visa applications is based on the VISA CODE (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of

the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, last amended by Regulation (EU)

2019/1155 of 20 June 2019). Information given below is also based on this Regulation.

Long stay visas are issued according to the national regulations of each Member State. All relevant

information can be obtained from the Diplomatic or Consular Missions of the Schengen Member

States. Useful information can also be obtained via the EU Immigration Portal:

https://immigration-portal.ec.europa.eu/index_en

WHICH COUNTRIES ISSUE SCHENGEN VISA?

There are currently 27 European countries in the Schengen Area, 23 of which are Member States of

the European Union (below with *). These 27 countries share a common legal framework and there

are no checks on the borders between them.

The countries issuing Schengen visas (“Schengen Member States”) are: Austria*, Belgium*,

Croatia*, Czechia*, Denmark*, Estonia*, Finland*, France*, Germany*, Greece*, Hungary*, Iceland,

Italy*, Latvia*, Liechtenstein, Lithuania*, Luxembourg*, Malta*, the Netherlands*, Norway, Poland*,

Portugal*, Slovakia*, Slovenia*, Spain*, Sweden* and Switzerland.

More information on the Schengen Area can be obtained visiting the following web page:

https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area_en

WHAT TYPES OF SCHENGEN VISA EXIST?

1) SHORT STAY VISAS:

UNIFORM VISA: the holder of a uniform visa is allowed to travel to the States mentioned

above for a period not exceeding 90 days during any 180-day period. In order to calculate

the period of allowed stay the applicant can consult the short stay calculator available on the

website of the Directorate-General for Home Affairs of the European Commission.

VISA WITH LIMITED TERRITORIAL VALIDITY: the holder of a visa with limited

territorial validity is allowed to travel to the State(s) indicated on the visa sticker but not to

any of the other Schengen States.

2) AIRPORT TRANSIT VISA:

Some Schengen Member States require Airport Transit Visas for Indian nationals, a list can

be found here

Airport transit visas are systematically required for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh,

Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan,

Somalia and Sri Lanka.

The holder of an airport transit visa is only allowed to transit through the international transit

areas of the issuing Schengen Member State and possible other States, if indicated on the

visa sticker.

VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS

The applicant shall present a valid travel document (passport) the validity of which extends at least

three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States

(or, in the case of several visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the

Schengen Member States). It shall contain at least two blank pages and shall have been issued

within the previous 10 years.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I USE MY SCHENGEN VISA?

On the visa sticker the “number of entries” is indicated: “1”, “2” or "MULT". The holder of a multiple

entry visa ("MULT") may enter the Schengen area an unlimited number of times during the validity

of the visa while respecting the rules on duration of stay.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A SCHENGEN VISA IN INDIA?

Indian nationals and nationals of other countries legally residing in India can apply.

Persons who do not reside in India may only apply if they are legally present in India and can present

a justification for lodging an application in India rather than in their country of residence.

WHICH MEMBER STATE IS COMPETENT FOR EXAMINING AND DECIDING ON MY VISA

APPLICATION?

The Schengen Member State competent for examining and deciding on an application for a uniform

visa shall be:

(a) the Schengen Member State whose territory constitutes the sole destination of the visit(s).

(b) if the visit includes more than one destination, or if there are several separate visits within 2

months, the Member State whose territory constitutes the main destination of the visit(s) in

terms of the length or purpose of stay.

border the applicant intends to cross first in order to enter the territory of the Member States.

For more information regarding the competent consulate of the Schengen Member State (if there

are more than one) and information regarding possible commercial intermediates and external

service providers, please visit the web pages of the Schengen Member States indicated at the end

of this document.

https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy/who-must-apply-schengen-visa_en;

In the chapter “Airport transit”, click on the hypelink contained in “some of the Schengen States.”

WHAT TO DO IF A SCHENGEN COUNTRY DOES NOT HAVE AN EMBASSY/CONSULATE IN

INDIA?

All Schengen Member States, except Liechtenstein, have an Embassy/Consulate in India and issue

visas. Schengen visa application for Liechtenstein shall be submitted at the Embassy of Switzerland

in New Delhi.

Please note that applications can be submitted to an external service provider. You are

encouraged to check the websites of relevant Schengen Member States (links at the end of this

document) in order to know where you can lodge your application.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE APPLICATION IS LODGED WITH THE MEMBER STATE OR THE

CONSULATE THAT IS NOT COMPETENT FOR EXAMINING AND DECIDING ON MY

APPLICATION?

When an application has been lodged, the Consular post verifies whether it is competent for

examining and deciding upon it. If it is not competent, it will, without delay, return the application form

and any documents submitted by the applicant, reimburse the visa fee, and indicate which consulate

is competent.

VISA FEE

Applicants shall pay a visa fee of EUR 80.

Children from the age of six years and below the age of 12 years shall pay a visa fee of EUR 40.

Nationals from countries with a visa facilitation agreement (as per January 2023: Armenia,

Azerbaijan, Belarus (partially suspended), Russia (partially suspended), and holders of non-

biometric passports from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova,

Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine), shall pay a visa fee of EUR 35.

Embassies have different policies in accepting local and/or Euro currencies for the payment of the

visa fee. Some consulates also accept payment by credit card. Please refer to the information

displayed on the relevant website of the relevant Schengen Member States.

APPLICANTS FOR WHOM THE VISA FEE IS WAIVED

(1) Children under six years;

(2) School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake

stays for the purpose of study or educational training;

(3) Researchers as defined in Article 3(2) of Council Directive (EU) 2016/801

from third

countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research or participating in a

seminar or conference;

(4) Representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars,

conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.

The visa fee may be waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:

(1) Children from the age of six years and below the age of 18 years;

(2) Holders of diplomatic and service passports;

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1575425488664&uri=CELEX:32016L0801

(3) Participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational

events, organised by non-profit organisations.

Information regarding visa fee waivers that may be provided by Schengen states and additional

visa fee waivers for specific categories of applicants can be found on the web sites of the Member

States below.

HOW LONG BEFORE THE START OF THE INTENDED VISIT SHOULD I APPLY?

It is advisable to lodge the application as early as possible and at least 15 calendar days before the

intended visit. Please note that applications can be lodged no more than six months before the start

of the intended visit (nine months for seafarers).

Holders of a multiple-entry visa may lodge the application before the expiry of the visa valid for a

period of at least six months.

DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SUBMITTING MY APPLICATION?

Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment for the lodging of an application. You are invited

to check the websites of the Schengen Member States via the links below.

WHAT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE ATTACHED TO MY APPLICATION?

Each applicant must submit a completed and signed application form, and present a set of supporting

documents. Check the website of the Schengen Member States (links at the end of this document)

for the application form and supporting documents.

Please note that during the examination of your application the consular post may in individual cases

request additional documents and you may be called for an interview.

TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE

Applicants for one or two entries must also prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid

travel medical insurance, covering emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in

case of death). The minimum cover should be of 30,000 EUR. This insurance must be valid for the

entire Schengen area and throughout the duration of the stay.

Applicants for a uniform visa for more than two entries (multiple entries) shall be in possession of

travel medical insurance covering their stays; at the time of application, they need to prove that they

have a travel medical insurance covering the period of their first intended visit, and sign the related

statement in the application form.

BIOMETRICS COLLECTION

All Schengen visa applicants in India have to appear in person in order to provide biometric data

(fingerprints and digital photography).

The photograph can be digitally taken at the time of the application or scanned from a recent one, if

conform to ICAO standards

For subsequent applications (within 5 years), the fingerprints can be copied from the previous

application file.

https://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf

In case of reasonable doubt regarding the identity of the applicant, the consulate will collect again

fingerprints within the 5 year-period specified above. Furthermore, the applicant may request that

they be collected if, at the time when the application is lodged, it cannot be immediately confirmed

that the fingerprints were collected within this 5 years period.

Visa applicants' biometric data can be collected by Schengen Member States' consulates and

external service providers but not commercial intermediaries (e.g. travel agencies).

WHO IS WAIVED FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO GIVE FINGERPRINTS?

The following applicants shall be exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints:

[Please note that applicants falling under category (b) must still appear personally at a consulate or

external service provider]

(a) children under the age of 12;

(b) persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible. If the fingerprinting of fewer than 10

fingers is possible, the maximum number of fingerprints shall be taken. However, should the

impossibility be temporary, the applicant shall be required to give the fingerprints at the

following application. The competent authorities shall be entitled to ask for further clarification

of the grounds for the temporary impossibility.

Ministers of State only) with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official

delegation when they are invited by Member States’ governments or by international

organisations for an official purpose;

This list is mandatory and exhaustive. Holders of diplomatic passports are not exempted as such

from the fingerprinting requirement. They may be exempted if they are members of the official

delegation of heads of State/ members of a national government invited for an official purpose.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE CONSULATE TO DECIDE ON MY APPLICATION?

Applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days of the date of the lodging of an application.

This period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 calendar days in individual cases, notably when

further scrutiny of the application is needed.

WHICH THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS ARE SUBJECT TO PRIOR CONSULTATION DURING

THE PROCEDURE?

A Schengen Member State may require to be consulted or informed by other Member States during

their examination of visa applications lodged by nationals of specific third countries or specific

categories. Such consultation does not apply to airport transit visas.

For information of countries that are subject to prior consultation or information see:

https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy/decision-visa-

application_en

WHAT CAN I DO IF THE VISA IS REFUSED?

Applicants who have been refused a visa receive a standard form notifying and motivating refusal.

They have the right to appeal, following the procedure and respecting the time limit indicated in the

standard form. Appeals are made against the Schengen Member State that has taken the decision,

in accordance with its national legislation.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT

You have the right to submit a complaint regarding:

- the conduct of staff at the consulate or from the external service provider;

- the application processing.

Check the website of the Schengen Member States for information on the procedure to follow.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I HAVE TO TAKE WITH ME WHEN I TRAVEL ON A SCHENGEN VISA?

Mere possession of a Schengen visa does not confer an automatic right to enter the Schengen Area.

At the external border, visa holders may be requested to produce documents justifying the purpose

and conditions of their intended stay; that they have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the

period of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third state into

which they are certain to be admitted, or are in a position to acquire such means lawfully. For full

information see – Information Sheet to Visa holders

FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU/EEA NATIONALS AND SWISS NATIONALS

If you are a family member of an EU/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway or Swiss national, you shall

benefit from a simplified and accelerated visa procedure, including exemption from the visa fee, as

long as you meet the following criteria:

(1) You are a family member (this includes a spouse, registered partner, child who is under 21

or a depending family member) of an EU/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway or Swiss national (or

of his/her spouse/registered partner); AND

(2) That EU/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway or Swiss national is residing in another Member State

than that of which he/she is a national or travelling there to take up residence; AND

(3) You are accompanying the EU/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway or Swiss national or planning

to join him/her for residence.

The visa should be applied for at the Embassy/Consulate of the country of future residence of the

EU/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway or Swiss national, not at the Embassy of his/her country of origin.

If you think you qualify for visa facilitation you will need to show proof that you meet these criteria

when you submit your visa application.

For other queries please refer to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

LINKS TO THE WEB SITES OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE SCHENGEN AREA,

AND OF THEIR EXTERNAL SERVICE PROVIDER FOR VISA APPLICATION

BELGIUM

https://india.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-to-belgium/visa

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/bel

CZECHIA

https://mzv.cz/newdelhi/en/ko/visa_information/index.html

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/cze/

DENMARK

https://indien.um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/how-to-apply-for-a-visa/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/dnk

GERMANY

https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/-/1908794

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu/

ESTONIA

https://newdelhi.mfa.ee/general-info-about-short-term-stay-in-estonia/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/est

GREECE

https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/en/india-en/visas

https://in-gr.gvcworld.eu/

SPAIN

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/nuevadelhi/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-

Schengen.aspx

https://india.blsspainvisa.com/

FRANCE

https://in.ambafrance.org/Applying-for-a-French-visa-in-India

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fra/

CROATIA

https://mvep.gov.hr/consular-information-152362/visa-152363/152363

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/hrv/

ITALY

https://ambnewdelhi.esteri.it/ambasciata_newdelhi/en/informazioni_e_servizi/visti

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/

LATVIA

https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/visa

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lva

LITHUANIA

https://in.mfa.lt/in/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/visas (copy and paste to your browser)

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ltu

LUXEMBOURG

https://newdelhi.mae.lu/en/Visa-to-Luxembourg

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lux

HUNGARY

https://delhi.mfa.gov.hu/eng/page/konzuli-informaciok

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/hun

MALTA

https://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/en/Embassies/Hc_New_Delhi/Pages/Visa-Advice-for-Foreign-Nationals.aspx

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/mlt

NETHERLANDS

https://netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/applying-for-a-short-stay-

schengen-visa

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/nld

AUSTRIA

https://bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-new-delhi/travels-to-austria/entry-and-residence/visa/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/aut/

POLAND

https://gov.pl/web/india/c-type-schengen-visa

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/pol/

PORTUGAL

https://novadeli.embaixadaportugal.mne.pt/en/consular-section/general-information

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/prt/

SLOVENIA

https://gov.si/en/representations/embassy-new-delhi/vizumske-informacije-veleposlanistva-new-delhi/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/svn/

SLOVAKIA

https://mzv.sk/web/dilli-en/services

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/svk

FINLAND

https://finlandabroad.fi/web/ind/entering-finland

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fin

SWEDEN

https://swedenabroad.se/en/about-sweden-non-swedish-citizens/india/going-to-sweden/visiting-sweden/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/swe/

ICELAND

https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-new-delhi/visa-to-iceland/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/isl

LIECHTENSTEIN

For visa purposes is represented by the Embassy of Switzerland; see relevant websites

NORWAY

https://www.norway.no/en/india/services-info/visitors-visa-res-permit/

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/nor/

SWITZERLAND

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/india/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/che/