Where to apply for a Schengen Visa in India ?

Where to apply for a Schengen Visa in India - embassies and consulates

Schengen Countries have very strict and clear rules on where you should apply for a Schengen Visa in India. It is important to make sure you apply at the right embassy or visa application center in India, as applying at the wrong place will likely result in your application being refused - even if it is correctly filled out and there are no problems with you traveling to the Schengen Area - or you will need to resubmit it, wasting time and money.

How to figure out where to apply for a Schengen Visa in India

Three factors determine where you should file your Schengen Visa application - the number of countries you will be visiting, the number of days you will be spending in each, and the country you will be visiting first.

If you are planning to visit only one country, then you need to apply via the diplomatic representation of the Schengen state you will be visiting, situated in your country of residence.

If you are planning to visit more than one country, then where you need to apply depends on the number of days you will be spending in each state. When spending an equal amount of days in each state, then you need to apply to the diplomatic representation of the country where you will arrive first. If you are spending more time in one country than another, then you will need to apply at the embassy, consulate or visa application center of the country where you will be spending most of your trip.

Where in India you can apply for a Schengen Visa?

Most countries have their embassy in New Delhi, with some having consulates in other major cities including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Most countries, however, outsource initial visa applications to third-party visa application centers which will collect your biometric data and review your application before passing it on to the embassy or consulate. The firm VFS Global, for example, has centers in :

Mumbai,
Pune,
Puducherry,
Chennai,
Jalandhar,
Jaipur,
Hyderabad,
Goa,
New Delhi,
Kochi,
Chandigarh,
Ahmedabad,
Kolkata,
and Bengaluru.

If the country you plan to travel to does not have formal representation in India, another Schengen Area country’s embassy may handle visa applications.

What documents will I need when applying for a Schengen Visa?

You will need to fill in an application and pay a fee of €80 (€40 for minors) and provide supporting documents, including two recently taken passport-style photos and a passport or other travel documents that are less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area. You will also need travel and medical insurance covering you up to costs of €30,000, a cover letter stating your itinerary and the purpose of your visit, as well as a flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, proof of your civil status, like a marriage certificate, and proof you have means of subsistence during your stay.

How can AXA help?

AXA offers several insurance policies for travel in Europe, from a low-cost option, priced at as little as €22 ($24) per week of your trip, that will meet the Schengen Visa requirements, to the Europe Travel insurance, from €33 per week, which covers expenses up to €100,000, and the multi-trip insurance, which will cover you for ongoing visits. None of these policies will require you to pay an excess fee on medical costs.

Those seeking a multiple-entry visa can purchase the Multi Trip insurance from €328 per year, which again covers you for expenses up to €100,000.

Frequently asked questions about where to apply for a Schengen Visa in India

What should I do if the country I am applying to does not have an embassy in India?

Although most countries are represented in India - those without an embassy will be represented by another country’s consulate - embassy or visa application centers which you should apply to.

Do I have to attend my visa application interview in person?

Yes you must in order to confirm your supporting documents and provide biometric data - unless there are exceptional circumstances that prevent this.

If I previously applied for a Schengen Visa - do I have to apply again?

Yes. Unless your Schengen Visa is a multi-trip one and still valid. If your visa application was in the past five years - you may not need to submit new biometric data with your application.

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Where to apply for a Schengen Visa in India ?