46 Comments

      1. Hi Subhadip,
        Loved the way you articulated each and every step.. just have one query and would love your suggestion on this. I am planning a trip to Italy and Swiss soon. I have all the relevant documents mentioned in the list, the only document missing with me is the ITR. I do have all Form 16s with me (last 5 yrs) and have more than sufficient funds in my account to cover the entire trip. I have travelled to other south East Asian countries before but have never come across this requirement for ITR.. can you please suggest whether I should go ahead, take a risk and apply for the Visa(considering it would require booking flight tickets and hotel bookings) ?

  1. Congratulations on your great trip, buddy. I might have to apply one soon so I read each point very carefully…it couldn’t have been more detailed.

    I knew most of these points since I’ve been to the US on multiple visas and it’s similar process for here too. The only difference is the travel insurance especially that it has to be valid for 10 days after departure.

    Thanks for this detailed account.

    1. Initially I was unsure whether I would be given a Schengen Visa but then after careful study I have realized that it all depends on documentation. Each embassy or consulate have a basic guidelines which if you can carefully cover you are sure to get the visa. Another important aspect is being truthful as now all our financial information are linked thus finding the truth is as easy as pushing a button.

  2. Very nice, useful, detailed and complete information for Schengen visa. Actually we are very confused about it but after getting through this blog we are totally relaxed. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Thank you Subhadip for the details. Was thinking if you help me with one little doubt I have? I will be acquiring a UK visa to visit London for about 15 days and will be required to change planes at Paris. During the 15 day stay, I intend to visit Paris maybe for a day trip. Now, I understand that a Transit Visa is required for changing flights at Paris, so, in this case does a Schengen Visa suffice? And do I apply for a single or multiple entry Schengen Visa then?
    Thanks again for the insights!

    1. If you apply for single entry then usually by default multiple entry visa is provided.

      For transition through Paris you need to get in touch with your airlines if the transit is through international transit zone or the next flight is from Schengen area depending on which you need to apply for Visa.

  4. Very detailed and thorough information. Thanks a lot. It helped me to confirm if a VISA interview and biometric can be done in Kolkata VFS. Also, if my kids will need to go for biometric. Sigh of relief indeed. Thanks and keep writing.

  5. Subhadip, I can’t thank you enough for this post. I have one question. Me and my wife will be travelling to Italy as tourists and I’ll be sponsoring her trip. Is it necessary to submit my wife’s salary statements too??? She works with a very modest salary, so her financial statements won’t be impressive.

  6. Hi,
    Can you tell me how long it took from the day of your interview till the day your status changed to approved ? My brother had his interview over a week back and there is still no update on his status.

    Thanks,
    -Auro

  7. Quick question, I got a VISA appointment in Bangalore in Italian consulate that is 8 days before the planned journey date (tickets purchased) and I am concerned since this is too close. What are the chances that the VISA will not be received on time ? Is there a courier service that can still help to receive the passport with VISA before the journey ?

  8. Dear Subhadip da,
    I am going Italy to attend a international school on physics as a research student for the first time and will be there for a month. Can you give the information, what is the right and efficient procedure to get the visa as soon as possible. It will be very helpful to me.
    regards
    Mahfuz

  9. Hi

    Is it necessary to buy flight tickets before applying for Schengen Visa becoz if your visa is denied you loosed a good amount of money

      1. Can we give the booking reference number and keep the tickets on hold while submitting the visa documents at VFS centre

          1. Hi
            what are the documents required for getting the schengen tourist visa for my mother in law 65 years old staying with us
            Rgds

  10. Hi

    what are the documents required for getting the schengen tourist visa for my mother in law who is 65 years old and staying with us

    Rgds
    debraj

  11. I’m a retired person. Should I require to submit Form 16? What I get as pension per month does not attract Income Tax, hence no tax is deducted at source. But I have sufficient fund in savings account.

  12. Dear Subhadip,
    Have got all bookings done for tour to Italy and 4 other countries. Now came to know that, healthy savings required in bank account. I have Used the savings for booking. I am yet to receive 200,000/- that I have given my friend as loan by next 15days. I have planned my touron 15oct’18. Please suggest, is there will be any problem regarding getting schengen visa. Also suggest what else property details I can show to strengthen my profile.

    1. Hi

      I have also applied for Shengen visa from 12th oct to 24th oct as i will be visiting Belgium and some other european countries. My documentation process has been completed at VFS kolkata centre on 3rd august.
      As a source of fund you can show your bank statements, Mutual Fund statements Fixed Deposits and credit card statements indicating your cash and credit limits

      Rgds
      Debraj

    2. Showing sufficient fund is important especially if you are applying Schengen Visa for the first time. Try showing sources like Credit Card or temporarily add fund to your account from somewhere.

  13. Hi Subhadip,
    Kindly let me know , if I plan to visit France and Switzerland only for travel purpose, do I get Visa from Kolkata?

    1. Hi

      If you are visiting France and Switzerland only for tourism purpose you can get schengen visa from Kolkata VFS centre

      Debraj

  14. Very helpful information. Can you tell me how to collect train tcts in advance. There are many apps and sites where one can book tcts but fares are not same everywhere. TRAIN app seems good bargain in price of fares.can I book tcts from here? Hope it is not a fake app.

  15. Hi Subhadip,
    Great article for beginners who want to plan everything on their own.
    Just one query. I am from Jamshedpur. My VFS appointment is scheduled for next week at Kolkata. Will there be an interview then and there or I will be given a later date to come to the embassy? I am travelling early March.

      1. Well, this is the first time I am applying for a Schengen Visa (though I have widely travelled in Asia and Africa). But as per the information available on the web, I think for the first Schengen application, one is generally called for an interview by the embassy!

        1. Its a call taken by the Embassy. My wife was given Visa without interview beofre me but I was called eventhough my Passport had Visa stamp of more thann 6 countries.

          It all depends on the embassy.

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