Schengen Area visa

One visa, 29 European countries

Schengen Area visa: quick answers

Do Indians need a visa for Schengen Area? Yes. A Schengen visa is a sticker visa issued by the consulate of the country you spend most nights in. Vistolane prepares your file to the consulate's checklist and books your VFS appointment; you attend in person for biometrics and submission and pay the visa fee and the VFS service charge at the centre. Entries and validity are decided by the consulate. Study, work and family routes need a sticker visa.

How much does a Schengen Area visa cost? Vistolane charges ₹1,807 per traveller to prepare the file and book the appointment. Visa fee (EUR 90) and the VFS service charge are paid at the centre on the day; Vistolane does not collect them. Premium adds ₹903, Business ₹1,807.

How long does a Schengen Area visa take? 15 calendar days from submission in most cases; up to 45 days when the consulate asks for more.; home-affairs.ec.europa.eu publishes 7–15 days. Vistolane shows the document deadline and appointment date before you pay; the decision itself is the authority's.

Schengen Area Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for Indians: quick summary

ItemDetail
Visa typeSchengen short-stay visa (type C)
FormatSticker visa (visa centre appointment)
Government fee₹9,569 (paid at the centre)
Vistolane fee₹1,807
All-in per traveller₹1,807
Processing time7–15 days
ValidityDecided by the consulate (single trip up to multi-year)
Stay90 days in any 180
EntriesDecided by the consulate
BiometricsRequired
Sourcehome-affairs.ec.europa.eu
Last verified2026-10-26

About the Schengen Area Schengen short-stay visa (type C)

A Schengen visa is a sticker visa issued by the consulate of the country you spend most nights in. Vistolane prepares your file to the consulate's checklist and books your VFS appointment; you attend in person for biometrics and submission and pay the visa fee and the VFS service charge at the centre. Entries and validity are decided by the consulate.

A Schengen visa is a sticker visa issued by the consulate of the country you spend most nights in. Vistolane prepares your file to the consulate's checklist and books your VFS appointment; you attend in person for biometrics and submission and pay the visa fee and the VFS service charge at the centre. Entries and validity are decided by the consulate.

Vistolane fee ₹1,807 per traveller; the government fee of ₹9,569 is paid at the centre. Total to Vistolane ₹1,807. Validity decided by the consulate (single trip up to multi-year), stay 90 days in any 180, decided by the consulate entry. home-affairs.ec.europa.eu publishes a processing time of 7–15 days (verified 2026-10-26).

Proof of funds for Schengen Area, by category

Indicative minimums. Officers read three to six months of statements and compare the closing balance with your itinerary, tuition or salary; the number matters less than the story the statements tell.

CategoryIndicative funds
Tourist / visitor₹1.89 lakh
Student₹12.3 lakh
Work / sponsored₹1.42 lakh
Family / partner₹2.84 lakh
Business / investor₹5.11 crore
Permanent residence₹1.89 lakh

Schengen Area visa document checklist

  • Passport valid at least six months beyond the return date, with two blank pages
  • Recent passport photo on a plain background (35×45 mm or the digital spec)
  • Bank statements for the last three to six months, stamped or downloaded with the bank's name visible
  • Proof of employment, self-employment or study (letter, payslips, NOC, enrolment)
  • Return or onward booking and a day-by-day itinerary that matches the dates on the form
  • Accommodation confirmation or a host's invitation with their ID and address proof
  • Travel insurance where the destination requires it
  • Completed online form printed and signed
  • Biometrics appointment confirmation
  • Previous visas and entry stamps, especially refusals

Student applicants add the offer letter, tuition receipt and, where required, an English test; sponsored workers add the employer's certificate or contract. Every upload is checked by vistolane against the Schengen Area checklist before filing.

Official sources

Fees and windows are re-checked when the authority publishes changes; the date of the last check appears on the destination page.

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Questions, answered

Do Indians need a visa for Schengen Area?

Yes. A Schengen visa is a sticker visa issued by the consulate of the country you spend most nights in. Vistolane prepares your file to the consulate's checklist and books your VFS appointment; you attend in person for biometrics and submission and pay the visa fee and the VFS service charge at the centre. Entries and validity are decided by the consulate. Study, work and family routes need a sticker visa.

How much does a Schengen Area visa cost?

Vistolane charges ₹1,807 per traveller to prepare the file and book the appointment. Visa fee (EUR 90) and the VFS service charge are paid at the centre on the day; Vistolane does not collect them. Premium adds ₹903, Business ₹1,807.

How long does a Schengen Area visa take?

15 calendar days from submission in most cases; up to 45 days when the consulate asks for more.; home-affairs.ec.europa.eu publishes 7–15 days. Vistolane shows the document deadline and appointment date before you pay; the decision itself is the authority's.

What documents do I need for a Schengen Area visa?

A passport valid for the full stay, a recent photo, the completed form, flight and accommodation bookings, three to six months of bank statements and proof of ties such as an employment letter. Students add the admission letter and tuition evidence; workers add the sponsor's offer. The Schengen Area checklist on this page is the one Vistolane files with.

How much bank balance do I need for a Schengen Area visa?

About ₹1.89 lakh for a tourist visit, rising to ₹5.11 crore for the most demanding route, held steadily over three to six months rather than deposited last week. This is Vistolane's planning guideline, not an official minimum: Schengen Area publishes no fixed figure unless its checklist states one.

Can I apply for the Schengen Area visa online, or is it visa on arrival?

You attend the VFS appointment in person: fingerprints, photo and the paper file are taken there. Nobody can courier a passport in your place. Visa fee (EUR 90) and the VFS service charge are paid at the centre on the day; Vistolane does not collect them.

How long can I stay in Schengen Area on this visa?

90 days in any 180; entry: decided by the consulate; validity decided by the consulate (single trip up to multi-year). Overstaying affects every future application, so count days from the entry stamp.

Is an interview or biometrics required for Schengen Area?

Yes: You attend the VFS appointment in person: fingerprints, photo and the paper file are taken there. Nobody can courier a passport in your place. Vistolane books the slot and prepares the file.