November 28, 2024

Schengen visa: All you need to know | India News

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NEW DELHI: Schengen visa was recently in the news after reports surfaced that the Embassy of Switzerland had temporarily suspended Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups.

The embassy, however, denied the reports and stated: “We have almost 800 daily appointments through the end of September 2023. These include 22 groups.”
“People-to-people contact is at the core of Swiss-Indian relationship. In 2023, the embassy of Switzerland in India has processed more visa applications than it did in 2019. We have surpassed our pre-pandemic times processing level. From January until June, we handled 129,446 applications, as against 120,071 during the same period in 2019 – a 7.8% increase,” the embassy added.

Here’s all you need to know about the Schengen visa:

  • A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa granting individuals the opportunity to travel to any member country within the Schengen Area for tourism or business purposes.
  • The visa allows a stay of up to 90 days.
  • The Schengen visa allows tourists to visit 26 European countries.
  • The visa provides its holder with the freedom to enter, travel within, and exit the Schengen zone from any member country.
  • The Schengen Area is characterised by the absence of border controls, allowing for seamless travel within the region.
  • Schengen embassies/consulates in India typically require applicant to schedule an appointment for visa application 4-6 weeks in advance of travel date.
  • Travelers should submit their Schengen visa application at least 15 days before travel date and no earlier than six months.
  • Online applications for a Schengen visa in India are unavailable.
  • All Schengen visa applicants in India have to appear in person in order to provide biometric data (fingerprints and digital photography). Children under the age of 12 are exempt.
  • Applicants shall pay a visa fee of EUR 80 (around Rs 7,280).

Where to apply for a Schengen visa?
Applicants cannot submit their documents at whichever embassy/consulate of a Schengen country they wish to.
The Schengen Area has rules in terms of where to submit the visa application:

  • If you are visiting one Schengen country – then apply at the body responsible for visa submission of that country in India (the embassy/consulate/visa center).
  • If you are visiting more than one Schengen country – then where you need to apply depends on the number of days you plan to spend in each country:
  • If you are spending an equal amount of days in two or more countries – apply to the body responsible for visa submission of the country you will be visiting first.
  • If you are spending an unequal amount of days in two or more countries – apply to the body responsible for visa submission of the country where you will be spending more days.
  • If a Schengen country does not have an Embassy/Consulate in India, or if the present Embassy/Consulate is not issuing visas, a Schengen visa application may be submitted to the Schengen state which “represents” this country for visa matters.

For anyone applying for a Switzerland Schengen visa, several documents must be submitted, including a completed and signed Swiss visa application form, a valid passport, two passport photos, and copies of previous visas.
Additionally, applicants must provide a round-trip flight itinerary, proof of accommodation in Switzerland, evidence of sufficient financial means, and travel health insurance coverage, among other requirements.
(With inputs from agencies)



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