Schengen VISA Guide

SCHENGEN VISA GUIDE
Applying for a Schengen Visa is one of the most nerve-wracking processes, especially if you
are applying for the first time. However, we have put together the complete guide to applying
for a Schengen Visa which will help make your dream Europe trip a reality.
CONTENTS:
1. Visa appointment
2. Mandatory documents
3. Financial documents
4. Cover Letter
VISA APPOINTMENT
Applying for a Schengen Visa may be stressful but applying to a more lenient
country/embassy with low-rejection rate and faster appointment slot availability can
potentially help you secure a visa.
Note: Please do not go visa shopping on a whim. Only apply to the country that you intend to
visit regardless of the duration.
Here are a few countries with a low-rejection rate:
Switzerland 🇨🇭 Spain 🇪🇸 France🇫🇷 Iceland 🇮🇸 Poland 🇵🇱

Finland 🇫🇮 Italy 🇮🇹 Greece 🇬🇷 Lithuania 🇱🇹
MANDATORY DOCUMENTS
This is the complete list of mandatory documents to submit with the application:
1. Original Passport(s)
You must have a national passport with at least 6 months of validity to apply and 2
empty pages. If you have any previous passports, attach them with a rubber band
while submitting documents.
2. Passport size photographs

The application requires 3 passport photographs shot no more than 6 months from
the date of application and in 35mm X 40mm size with a matte white background.
3. Visa Application form
The visa application form must be filled out and signed, and attached to the
application. A few embassies require you to fill the form with a blue pen, please
check beforehand.
4. Copies of valid US, UK, or Canada visa

If you have a valid US, UK, or Canada visa, you must attach a copy in your
application.
5. Copy of passport front page and back page

The application should also contain a copy of the front page and the back page of
your passport.
6. Refusal notice
If you’ve received a refusal notice for a visa, you must attach the rejection document
to the application.
7. Travel Insurance
Your application must contain valid travel insurance with coverage up to 50,000
Euros. Get travel insurance from Digit.
8. Flight itinerary
Attach your flight bookings for the trip but only show dummy flight bookings. Dummy
flight itinerary is only valid for a few days (up to 14 days), and thus it is advisable to
get yours 2 days before the appointment date. We highly recommend engaging an
agent for securing dummy flight tickets, hotel and internal transfer bookings to save
time and money. We took help from Mr. Sanjay (073492 37913) at Blink Visa (not
sponsored). They charged us INR 2000 per applicant for all the dummy bookings
related to the visa.
9. Hotel and internal transfer bookings

Your application must contain confirmed hotel bookings and any internal transfer
tickets, like internal trains, ferries, flights, etc. We highly advisable engaging an agent
to prepare a rough itinerary to use for the visa application to save time and money.
We took help from Mr. Sanjay (073492 37913) at Blink Visa (not sponsored).
10. ITR
ITR acknowledgement for the last 3 years should be attached to the application. This
is one of the most crucial documents and if you do not have an ITR of more than 12
to 15 Lakh income, you must apply with funding from parents or siblings or spouse.
11. Address proof

If you’re applying from a different state as mentioned in your passport, you must
provide address proof, e.g., rental agreement, electricity bill, or a letter from your
bank/employer.
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
The list of financial documents required for the Schengen Visa application varies according
to the nature of your job.
For employed individuals

1. Last 3 months salary slips
2. Last 6 months bank account statements duly signed and stamped by the bank.
3. Employer NOC on the company’s official letterhead, signed and stamped by the HR
department.
For self-employed individuals

1. Company’s ITR of the last 6 assessment years
2. 6 months business bank statements duly signed and stamped by the bank.
3. Business ownership proof - Company registration, GST certificated, or partnership
deed.
For funded individuals

1. Confirmation of financial support - a sponsorship letter that includes detailed
information about the financial support and proof of funds.
2. 6 months bank statement of the sponsor/parents
3. ITR of parents/sponsor - acknowledgement of the last 2 years
Note: The recommended bank balance is 150 Euros/per day per person.
COVER LETTER
This is the most crucial important for a Schengen Visa application and here are a few tips to
frame your cover letter:
1. Write the cover letter on your own. Always take references but write the letter by
yourself - no one knows you better than you.
2. Mention the intent of your visit clearly.
3. Specify your itinerary - your travel itinerary need not be extremely detailed but it must
specify all the places that you would like to visit.
4. Request a multi-entry visa to improve your chances of obtaining a longer validity visa.
Attached below is our cover letter that helped us get a 6 months multi-entry Schengen Visa.

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SCHENGEN VISA GUIDE

Here are a few countries with a low-rejection rate:

Switzerland 🇨🇭 Spain 🇪🇸 France🇫🇷 Iceland 🇮🇸 Poland 🇵🇱

2. Passport size photographs

4. Copies of valid US, UK, or Canada visa

5. Copy of passport front page and back page

9. Hotel and internal transfer bookings

11. Address proof

For employed individuals

For self-employed individuals

For funded individuals

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