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The eligibility criteria, steps, information you'll need to apply, required documents, fees/timing, and glossary source links below are drawn from official government sources, reproduced under the licence(s) above. Vibistic's own commentary — the scope note, freshness notes, and "what changed" entries — is separate and not government content.

Schengen Visa (Short Stay)

This is the checklist for the scenario you selected, not a personalized assessment — general information, not immigration advice.

Vibistic last checked the official guidance behind this checklist on 2026-08-02.

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Preparing for: Me

Each traveler's checked steps and document readiness are tracked separately here to help you prepare. Depending on official guidance, each traveler may need a separate application, fee, appointment, or evidence — check the relevant official guidance for each person. Tracking preparation here does not change how any application is actually handled.

Fee and timing

Official application fee
€90 — Schengen visa fee: €90.00 (adult) — a separate VFS Global service cost also applies

Source: India· Creative Commons Zero v1.0 (CC0) · last verified 2026-07-30 · Check the live official figure

Earliest you can apply
6 months before you travel
Published decision time
No processing-time figure is published on the pages this app cites — apply no later than 45 days before your trip.

Source: Apply India· Creative Commons Zero v1.0 (CC0) · last verified 2026-07-30 · Check the live official figure

Tell us your intended travel date and we'll work out the official earliest-application date, plus a suggested date to start preparing.

Documents to prepare

0 of 15 preparation items resolved

Documents: 0/10 · Application steps: 0/5

  1. Required

    1. The signed, printed application form for your visa.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      Complete your own application form online — only then will you receive a form with a unique code. Forms without this code may cause issues while processing your application, so don't use someone else's form.

      Application form — original document

    2. Proves your identity and nationality.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      Must not be more than 10 years old, have at least 2 blank visa pages, be valid for at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area, and be signed. Also bring a colour copy of the biometric-data page and the last page (for Indian nationals), plus any prior Schengen entry/exit stamps.

      Travel document

    3. Valid proof of legal residence in the country where you submit your application — or, if applying outside your own country of residence, proof of why you can't apply there instead.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      For example: a passport or other travel document, a residence permit valid for at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area, a visa, or a work permit. If you're not a resident of the country where you're applying, you must show why you can't apply in your country of residence instead.

      Proof of legal residence in the country where you live

    4. Shows your ties to the country where you live, depending on your situation.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      Employee: your employment contract and a recent letter from your employer approving your leave, plus payslips from the past 3 months. Self-employed or a company owner: the company's registration certificate (with GST registration number, if registered in India), bank statements from your business account, and your income tax return with a verified barcode. Retired: pension statements from the past 3 months, plus other proof of money or property. Student: a statement from the educational institution where you're enrolled. If none of these apply to you: for example, a document proving you're a caregiver, own a house or other real estate, or have children attending school in your country of residence.

      Proof of social or economic ties to the country where you live

    5. Explains your trip.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      Must include the reason for your visit, the duration of your stay, the names of fellow travellers (if applicable), and information about your transportation and accommodation.

      Cover letter

    6. Shows where you will be staying during your visit.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      A reservation for the entire duration of your trip (hotel, holiday rental, rented accommodation, or campus). If travelling to multiple Schengen countries, bring proof of accommodation for each one.

      Proof of accommodation in the Netherlands

    7. Shows you have sufficient financial means to cover your stay.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      Your personal bank statements from the past 3 months (stamped and signed by the bank), or proof of Indian income tax returns from the last 2 tax years.

      Travel and costs of stay

    8. A reservation in your name for travel to and from the Schengen area, and your travel plans.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      You don't need a paid travel ticket. If participating in an organised tour, you'll need a booking or reservation for it.

      Travel reservation

  2. Conditional

    1. Not required if you hold a diplomatic passport.

      Proof of travel medical insurance in your name.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      Must state that the insurance covers all Schengen area countries for your entire stay, and covers at least €30,000 in medical expenses (hospital stay/treatment, emergency care, prescription medication, and repatriation, including in the event of death).

      Travel medical insurance

    2. Only if a child under 18 is included in the application, travelling alone or with one parent/guardian.

      Proves the child's identity and the consent of their parent(s)/guardian(s) to travel.

      Form: Digital image · Stage: Application

      Details

      A recent extract of the child's birth certificate. If travelling with one parent/guardian: a written consent statement notarised by a public notary from the parent/guardian not travelling (or a court ruling/proof of sole custody, if the travelling parent/guardian has it). If travelling alone: a notarised consent statement from both parents/guardians. Plus a colour copy of a valid travel document with the signature and photo of the parent(s)/guardian(s) with custody or guardianship; a copy of a parent/guardian's own valid Schengen visa if they have one; a death certificate if a parent/guardian is deceased; proof of guardianship if a guardian has been appointed; or a court ruling allowing the child to travel, if there is one.

      Documents relating to minors

Your application checklist

0 of 5 completed

  1. Confirm you need a visa. To apply for a Schengen visa in India, go to the VFS Global application centre in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, or New Delhi — you can submit an application there if you live in India, Afghanistan, or Bhutan.

  2. Gather all the documents on the tourism checklist — your application can be rejected if you don't submit all of them.

    Go →
  3. You can apply for your visa up to 6 months ahead of your trip. Apply no later than 45 days before your trip. Book your own appointment online — avoid unnecessary costs by not going through an intermediary.

  4. Submit your documents and passport, provide fingerprints (if you are 12 or older), pay the visa fee plus VFS Global's separate service costs, and indicate whether you want to collect your passport or have it sent to you. You must appear in person, even if you're under 18.

  5. You'll receive an email once your application has been processed — it won't say whether it was approved. If approved, the visa will be affixed to a page in your passport.