My Schengen Visa Experience
One advantage of the Schengen visa is that you need only one visa to visit 27 countries from the Schengen Area. Countries like United Kingdom, Ireland etc. however are not part of the Schengen Area even though they are part of the European Union and you need a separate Europe tourist visa to visit these countries.
Anyone who has applied for the Schengen visa would know that it is a highly-stressful and highly-frustrating activity. To top that, there is a high likelihood of being rejected. Even if someone is given the visa, the waiting time is too long. In the meantime, what can an applicant do?
Visa fees -
Above 12 years : 80 Euros
6 to 11 years: 40 Euros
Children under 6 years: Free of charge
ü I applied for a Schengen visa on 28th August 2023 and decision on my application was taken on 20th September 2023 and I finally received an approved multilateral visa for duration of 45 days.
ü It is mandatory to schedule an appointment with BLS international Spain visa application center for filing a Spain Business Visa/ visitor visa/ tourist/any other
BLS International Service Charge – INR 1487
My appointment was scheduled at Chandigarh (Very non-cooperative staff)
My Take -
The only difference between tourism and Business visa being –
For business meetings
Original invitation letter from the Spain-based company/companies. Written in Spanish, the letter should refer to the purpose of the visit and, the existing commercial relationship with the applicant. His/her name, passport number and envisaged travel dates should also be mentioned.
For participation in conferences, business fairs or sports events
Original letter of invitation from the organizers. The letter must clearly mention the name and passport number of the applicant, duration of the event, whether the expenses of the travel and accommodation shall be paid by the applicant or by the organizers, and involvement of the applicant in the event.
In case of corporate participation, also a cover letter of the applicants’ company. The letter should mention the names of its employees travelling to Spain.
ü
I had an invitation from an organisation for a forum in Spain. I attached all email invitation and correspondence photocopies and day wise program schedule.
List of documents attached –
1) Visa application form
One photograph not older than 6 months of the applicant, 35-45 mm and on a white background, should be affixed on the application form.
2) Passport of the applicant with at least two blank pages, valid for at least three months after the duration of the anticipated stay and issued in the last ten (10) years. Old passports can also be included. If there is any visa refusal in the latest 2 years, please provide the refusal notice or a written explanation about the reasons.
I had japan visa rejection just a month ago and I explained them that rejection was due to shortcomings in the application documents. I had forgotten to book hotels for 7 days in Japan (thinking & assuming, I will manage hotel booking on my arrival in Japan). Also, flight dates and itinerary was mismatching.
3) One copy of the pages of the passport with biographic data (in the case of an Indian passport, at the beginning and the end).
4) Proof of travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros to cover any expense which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment. The insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen States and during the entire period of stay
I bought a travel insurance for around INR 500 (from Tata AIG) for my duration and made sure it had coverage for missed flight (cancellation or delay)
sworn declaration for travel insurance has to be signed and submitted by the applicant – this particular declaration was returned by BLS, so not required
5) Details of the trip
· Cover letter (account of the purpose of the visit).
Here’s my cover letter (Take printout in a single page and there can be few mistakes as i forgot to save a soft copy) – Click here
· Flight bookings (roundtrip). It is advisable not to buy the air ticket until the visa has been granted.
This is the most challenging part, I have made a video on YouTube channel “CountrysideTravels”.
I booked dummy ticket for $5. There are various websites online where you can buy. But there is a catch, most of the dummy flight tickets have validity ranging from 1 to 14 days and visa decision usually takes around 14 days or more (sometimes can be early). So the risk always remain.
Basically the embassy just wants to make sure the flight schedule (flight you are planning to book) and your planned itinerary are in sync. Thereby do not buy an original ticket but a dummy ticket will do (though it may expire before your visa application decision)
· Hotel accommodation for the duration of the stay.
I booked hotels through expedia (all pay at hotel and cancellable bookings)
6) Evidence of economic means o Original, stamped and signed bank statements of the applicant and sponsor (if any) of the last six months. Original, signed letter by the sponsor detailing the concepts/amount to be covered and proof of the relationship of the sponsor with the applicant must be submitted, if relevant. o Income tax returns (ITR-V or Form 16) for the last two years and PAN card copy of the applicant and sponsor, if applicable. o Salary slips for last three months, when available. o Title of property in Spain, pension slips or proof of deposits, if relevant.
I attached last 2 year ITR Form.
You need to submit 3 months of bank statements. Online bank statements are not accepted and you need to get this from your bank with the proper authorization seal and signature.
How much bank funds required?
No particular figure can suffice and it is at sole discretion of the embassy. At times, a solid bank balance application has been rejected and application with minimal fund approved.
Rule of thumb is to have a consistent minimum bank balance for Schengen visa of Rs 1,00,000 (On an average of 60-90 Euros per day) over the past 3 months. Just an advice, ensure you have atleast 3-4 lakhs standing fund (liquid or fixed deposits). *Amount invested in Insurance may not be taken into this figure.
e.g. Finland government on its website says:
“The applicant must have proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration and purpose of the stay and the cost of living in the country. In Finland a minimum of EUR 30 a day is required.”
Also, income cash flow should be consistent and uniform, last minute money transfers are looked down on. For employees, In addition, 6 months’ salary slips, 3 years Income tax returns, a copy of PAN card also need to be submitted.
Therefore please make sure documents are as per standards and requirements.
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 3.
For subsequent applications (within 5 years), the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file.
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.
(c) if no main destination can be determined, the Schengen Member State whose external
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 thereare 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.
