Schengen Visa Appointment

Visa Appointment Schengen: Key Highlights

Schengen visa procedure can be daunting for many people, especially those visiting for the first time. In Indian, online Schengen visa application is not available. Instead, they must book an appointment with the diplomatic representation of the Schengen state they plan to visit. Take a look at some quick facts related to the Schengen appointment process:

*Disclaimer: The above table is as per the latest Schengen visa requirements & is subject to change. Kindly go through the official Schengen website to understand the exact requirements for a Schengen visa appointment in India.

How to Book an Appointment for Schengen Visa

In India, you need to book an appointment for a Schengen visa online to submit your Schengen visa application. Generally, Schengen visa appointments can be scheduled at the respective Schengen embassy, consulate or designated visa application centre, depending on the jurisdiction.

Most Schengen countries don't accept visa applications unless made through VFS Global/TLS/BLS as per the official website of that country. For example, if you want to travel to Spain, then you can apply through BLS International. Once you've filled out the visa application form online, you must print it out and submit it to the designated Schengen visa application centre.

Once you have applied for the relevant Schengen visa and determined the official submission centre for the country you want to visit, you can book Schengen visa biometric appointment online by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Schengen state you wish to apply for the visa. That specific Schengen state will have a designated visa application centre in India. In many cases, it is VFS Global.

Step 2: Go to the service provider's homepage. You will find options to apply for or book an appointment for a Schengen visa for the state(s) you plan to visit.

Step 3: Sign in to your account. Use the credentials you used to apply for a visa to log in to the account.

Step 4: Click on 'Book an appointment' for the Schengen visa you have applied for.

Step 5: Click on 'Start New Booking' and fill in the appointment details. These will include:

• The closest visa application centre (VAC)
• Appointment Category
• Sub-categories such as short-stay or long-stay Schengen visa

If applying through VFS, you will see a notification about the earliest available slot. After filling in all the details, proceed to the next step.

Step 6: You will be directed to a 'Your Details' section. It will consist of the following:

• You full name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Passport number
• Passport expiry date

Fill in the information and save it to proceed further. There is also an option to add another application, depending on your requirement.

Step 7: Click on 'Book an Appointment' and select the slot. You can select the Schengen visa application date, and appointment time (morning, evening, etc) and continue accordingly.

Step 8: If applying through VFS Global, then there is an option to 'Add Services' depending on your requirement.

Step 9: Review your details and proceed to the payment. You can easily pay online for the appointment booking. After payment, an acknowledgement receipt will be generated. Print this receipt for your future use.

Step 10: Prepare the documents required for the Schengen visa, the acknowledgement receipt and any other supporting documents before your visit to the designated VAC or Embassy.

Note: Depending on the visa service provider opted, these steps may vary slightly. The procedure mentioned above is according to the VFS Global Schengen visa appointment.

What Happens During a Schengen Visa Appointment?

All Indians who wish to visit one or more Schengen states must book an appointment at the designated office of the Schengen country they’re planning to visit. Only then is their visa application submitted to the embassy. They must also carry along the needed documents including their passport, supporting documents and other required documents specific to their visa category.

Indians also need to submit their fingerprints and/or necessary biometric information here. For this reason, it is often referred to as Schengen visa biometric appointment in India.

They will also need to submit two or more recent identity photos depending on the requirements stated by the Schengen country.

Depending on your visa and the country you plan to visit, a Schengen visa interview may be required.

You may even be asked to visit the Embassy or consulate for the said interview if specified. If there's an interview, it is only meant to understand your intentions for visiting the Schengen area.

Documents Required for Schengen Visa Appointment

Those applying for a Schengen visa must prepare the required documents on the day of their appointment. Required documents for Schengen visa appointment in India are shared below:

• A completed Schengen visa application form with the necessary details
• Indian passport with a minimum 3-month validity period after the date of your departure
• Appointment acknowledgement printout
• 2 or more recent photos, as per the Schengen photo rules
• Schengen travel health insurance of a minimum of 30,000 EUR or 50,000 USD
• Proof of accommodation
• Flight itinerary (round-trip) as well as internal flights
• Cover letter describing your reason for applying for visa plans while staying etc.
• Proof of parental consent if minor
• Copies of any prior Schengen visas
• Proof of sufficient funds depending on the Schengen state you're visiting
• Other supporting documents specified in your Schengen visa application

Waiting Time for a Schengen Visa Appointment in India

It is strongly recommended that you schedule a Schengen visa appointment at least 4-6 weeks in advance. By no means should you schedule an appointment last moment. Given the high number of Schengen visa applications from India, you must book an appointment at least 2 weeks or 15 days before the planned departure from India.

Please note that holiday seasons can be especially busier, especially during Christmas, New Year and Spring seasons. There is significant waiting to schedule a Schengen visa appointment in India post-COVID, so ensure that you have enough buffer between your visa appointment and travel dates. Also, ensure that you carefully arrange all documents before reaching the visa application centre. There is no refund of the Schengen application fee if it gets rejected. Given that there are many cases of Schengen visa rejections make sure to prepare well for the upcoming Schengen visa biometric appointment

Tips to Prepare for Visa Appointment (2024)

Applying for a Schengen visa can be pretty confusing, especially if you plan to visit multiple countries or this is your first time applying for a Schengen visa. The following tips will come in handy for your upcoming Schengen visa appointment:

• There is no provision to get an e-visa for Schengen nations or apply for a Europe visa online. You can only submit an online filled Schengen visa application after downloading and signing it at the designated office of the Schengen country. For this, a Schengen visa appointment must be scheduled timely in India.
• Schengen visa appointment is usually made online. It is important to book a slot at your earliest convenience to avoid delay.
• One visa application centre can often serve as an application spot for other Schengen nations. If you’re planning to visit different countries, then you can clarify any doubts here.
• It is not possible to visit any Schengen embassy, VAC or consular office without scheduling an appointment is impossible.
• You can opt for a VFS Schengen visa appointment or even apply through a tourism agent if you have trouble with the application.
• Many visa service providers like BLS also offer home collection services in case you’re unable to visit the visa application centre.

Make sure to buy international travel insurance for Schengen states, as it is going to save you a lot of financial expenses in case of an emergency.