Europe Visitor Visa

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any member of the Schengen Area, for stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. It eliminates border controls between the 29 participating European countries.

You must submit your application to the consulate of the country where you will spend the most number of days (main destination). If you are spending an equal number of days in multiple countries, apply to the consulate of the country you will enter first.

While there is no fixed minimum, you must show you can support yourself during your stay. Each country has a minimum daily budget requirement (usually EUR 50 to EUR 100 per day). A liquid balance of INR 3 Lakh to 5 Lakh supported by steady income tax returns is recommended.

Yes, travel medical insurance is strictly mandatory for all Schengen visa applications. The policy must cover all Schengen member states, have a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, and include repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation.

No. Work of any kind is strictly prohibited on a Schengen visitor visa. Engaging in employment or providing professional services to European companies violates your visa terms and can lead to deportation and travel bans.

Yes. You must submit your physical passport during your VFS biometric appointment. The consulate holds your passport during the review period and stamps the physical visa sticker (vignette) inside it upon approval.

The 90/180 rule states that you can only stay in the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. This is calculated retroactively from any day of your stay, looking back at the past 180 days.

Salaried applicants must provide bank statements for the last 6 months, payslips for the last 3-6 months, original Income Tax Returns (ITR-V) for the last 2-3 years, and an official leave approval letter from their employer.

Standard processing times typically range from 15 to 20 calendar days once VFS submits the file. However, during peak travel seasons (summer and winter holidays), consulates can take up to 4 weeks. Early filing is recommended.

If your visa is refused, you will receive a standard refusal form detailing the specific grounds (such as unclear purpose or insufficient financial proofs). You have the right to appeal the decision (remonstrance) or submit a new application addressing the objections.