european tourist visa for indian

New Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Visitors: Key Questions Answered 

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 23rd, 2024 at 5:39 AM EDT

Destinations value Indian travelers, but lengthy visa processing times lasting months act as significant deterrents. The adoption of these new regulations by European authorities reflects a proactive effort to tackle these concerns, aiming to boost tourism flow.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.

Indian travel agents had been complaining of Schengen visa delays as a major challenge to the summer travel rush from India.

• How does one qualify for the longer duration visas?

The European Commission can issue a two-year multiple-entry visa after a traveler “has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.” This demonstrates a positive travel history and compliance with previous visa regulations.

Subsequently, after granting the two-year visa, authorities may issue a five-year visa if the passport has has adequate validity remaining.

• What benefits do holders of these extended visas enjoy?

During the validity period of these visas, holders can enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals within the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

• Which countries are part of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including 25 European Union member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. Additionally, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen area.

• Are there any restrictions or conditions to these visas?

Schengen visas do not grant the right to work within the Schengen area and are for short stays only. Additionally, the visas are not purpose-bound, providing flexibility for travel within the specified period.

Industry Take

Skift also spoke to players in the Indian outbound travel industry to understand what has changed in the new Schengen visa rules.

• How is this different from the earlier visas that Schengen countries offered? Don’t they already offer multi-entry visas with longer duration to Indians?

Mahendra Vakharia, managing director of Pathfinders Holidays, said there was no standard policy of Schengen states for issuing these long-term visas earlier. Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy and Spain usually issued long-term visa, but it was all subjective. “With this new policy it should be a standard rule now,” Vakharia said.

• Travelers mainly complain of longer processing times, has that changed?

Here too, there is no standard processing time as it varies from country to country, according to Vakharia. “France and Spain have been processing visas within four days, and then there’s Croatia, which takes 60 days,” he said.

Processing time will not change as of now, it will take time for the visa rules to be enforced, said an industry source, while highlighting that the visa would be especially useful for corporate travelers.

What Promoted The Move?

Speaking on the possible motivations, Vakharia acknowledged various reasons, including administrative capacity constraints at embassies to cater to the huge inflow of applications.

“As there is an overwhelming demand from Indian travelers, the process of securing visa appointments has posed significant challenges , especially for travelers residing in cities lacking VFS Global centers,” he said.

The European Commission said in an statement that the decision reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation on migration policy. Facilitating people-to-people contacts is a key aspect of this agenda, acknowledging India’s importance as an EU partner.

The decision also reflects a realization of the strong economic benefits derived through the spending power of Indian tourists. As Vakharia aptly puts it, “Why let go of the Golden Indian Goodie Bag?”

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Tags: asia monthly , europe , european commission , European summer travel , european union , india , india outbound , schengen , visa , visas

Photo credit: Park Guell in Spain. Unlike many Schengen countries, Spain has been processing visas within four days for Indian travelers. Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz / Pexels

Applying for a Schengen visa

The information on this page is indicative and not exhaustive. Interested parties should seek additional information from the Embassy or Consulate of the country of their main destination.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A Schengen visa can be obtained in the form of a single-entry visa , allowing the holder to enter the Schengen area once, or a multiple-entry visa , which is granted for several visits to the Schengen area for as long as it is valid.

The short-stay visa calculator can be used to calculate the remaining period of allowed stay. The user's guide will help you navigate the calculator with step by step instructions and practical examples.

An airport transit visa allows its holder to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen area during a stopover or a change of flights. This visa does not allow its holder to leave the international transit area of an airport.

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?

Certain non-EU citizens must hold a short stay visa when traveling to the Schengen area. The EU has a common list of countries whose citizens are required to hold a visa when crossing its external borders. There are national derogations from the visa requirements for certain travellers.

Some third-country nationals must also hold an airport transit visa when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in any of the Schengen States . For citizens of certain additional countries, an airport transit visa is required when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in some of the Schengen States . There are some categories of persons who are exempt from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa (see Article 3(5) of the Visa Code ).

Where to apply?

You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country you intend to visit . If you intend to visit more than one Schengen States, you should apply at the Consulate of the country where you will spend the longest period of time.

If you intend to visit several Schengen States and the stays will be of equal length, you must apply at the Consulate of the first country you will visit.

As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country in which you legally reside.

More information for each Schengen country can be found on dedicated websites

When to apply.

The application must be submitted to the Consulate  at least 15 days before the intended journey and cannot be lodged earlier than six months prior to the start of the intended journey. You may have to book an appointment before lodging the application.

What documents are needed to apply?

• A valid passport. The passport’s expiry date should be at least 3 months after the date of your departure from the Schengen area. In the case of multiple-entry visa, the passport’s expiry date should be at least 3 months after your departure from the last country visited.
• A visa application form .
• A photo in compliance with ICAO standards .
• Medical insurance covering emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in case of death).
• Supporting documents relating to the purpose of your stay, evidence of financial means during your stay, your accommodation and your will to return to your home country after your stay.
• Your fingerprints will be collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants).
• Additional documents can be requested by the Consulates.

How much does a visa cost?

• 80€ for adults;
• 40€ for children aged 6-12;
• 35€ for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus;
• 60€ for applicants from Cabo Verde.

An additional fee may apply if you go through visa service centres , which collect applications on behalf of Consulates in some cases.

The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.

Processing time of the application

The normal processing time of a visa application is 15 days. This period may be extended to up to 45 days, if a more detailed examination of the application and/or additional documents are required.

Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens falling under the Free Movement Directive are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.

Refusal of a visa application

The decision to refuse a Schengen visa and the reasons for the refusal are transmitted to the applicant using a standard form. The decision to refuse the issuance of a visa includes the reasons on which the refusal was based, and the procedures and deadlines for submitting an appeal.

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Schengen Visa for Indian Citizens

The schengen visa – what is it.

Anyone planning a visit to Europe from India should be aware of the Schengen Visa. This is an important consideration for Indian nationals as the visa has great benefits. The visa is currently valid in a total of 26 member countries across the European continent (known collectively as the Schengen Area ). This article provides comprehensive information on the Schengen Visa for Indian Citizens.

The Schengen Visa is a travel document that allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area, without the need for additional paperwork. For example, if you begin your travel in France and wish to move on to Germany or Spain (or any other of the 26 member states) you can do so without the need to obtain additional visas. There are no internal borders to negotiate across the Schengen Area, making it simple move from one country to another.

Schengen Visa types for Indian Citizens

Before applying, you need to determine the type of visa you require. The following criteria will help you decide which visa is suitable for you:

A  Uniform Schengen Visa  permits the holder to stay in, or travel within, any country in the Schengen Area, for up to a maximum of 90 days at a time within a six-month period from the date of issue. These can be issued as:

• a single entry visa, meaning the holder can only enter/exit the Schengen Area once • a double entry visa allowing a second entry within the time period • a multiple entry visa which can be used multiple times (within the permitted time limits of the visa)

A  Limited Territorial Validity Visa  is available for travel only in the particular Schengen country that originally issued the visa. Holders of this type of visa are not permitted to enter any other Schengen member state. These visas are most often used in emergency/humanitarian situations where travel documents are not normally available.

Thirdly, there is a  National Visa . This particular visa is suitable for those who wish to study or work in any one of the Schengen countries and again is available as either a single or multiple entry.

Applying for a visa

Indian citizens wishing to apply for a visa must begin the process by arranging an appointment at an embassy. The embassy you choose for this should be either the one relating to the country you will begin your trip (first point of entry within the Schengen Area) or to the country in which you be spending the majority of your time. You can schedule your appointment online on the VFS website or, if you prefer, in person at a local VFS centre.

You should be aware that it may take up to 2 weeks to complete the process and you will probably wait up to another 10 days for the embassy to contact you; we would therefore recommend that you apply for your visa at least one full month prior to the date you wish to travel.

The following fees currently apply: Adult visa: 60 EUROS Long stay visa (>90 days): 99 EUROS Child visa (6-12 years): 35 EUROS

There will be no fee payable under certain conditions, such as for: children under the age of 6; diplomatic passport holders, students and accompanying teachers; researchers from third world countries and participants aged 25 and under at educational non-profit conferences or other events.

You will need to obtain an application form which can be downloaded from the embassy website or you may collect a hard copy from the embassy office. Along with the completed form, you will also be required to produce the following documentary evidence:

• two passport sized photographs adhering to the official standard (full-frontal head image between 32-36mm in height with a plain background; no red-eye, reflections or shadows) • a valid passport with at least two available blank pages • a sponsorship letter explaining the reason/objective of the visit and stating the duration • evidence of travel insurance purchased showing a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUROS • copies of all relevant travel tickets and a full itinerary for the trip, including accommodation bookings and any tourist packages • proof of applicant’s status, such as birth/marriage certificates and any national identity documents or cards • employment details, such as contracts, proof of income for the past six months, leave entitlement consent from your employer and any other documentation as requested • business credentials and licenses for self-employed persons along with IT returns and proof of financial means • for retirees, pension payment documents/evidence for past six months • for students, proof of enrolment and verification from school or college

The information and documentation provided by you will be scrutinised carefully by the embassy for authenticity. Once this process has been completed, you will be invited to attend an interview with an embassy official.

The interview

This is a very important part of the visa application process and it’s useful to know what to expect before you attend. The interviewer will ask you a series of questions to ascertain the reason for your travel. You will be asked to confirm all dates and your intended itinerary. Them, you will also be expected to confirm your financial status and may be asked to provide further evidence or documentation in support of this. Lastly, you will need to be able to prove that all necessary arrangements are in place and that you understand your obligations regarding the laws of the country/countries you are intending to visit, and confirm that you will return to India at the end of the visit as planned.

Biometric testing will take place at the end of the interview and the results of this will be electronically associated with your identity documentation.

The outcome

You can expect to hear from the embassy within 10-15 days. If accepted, your visa will be posted out to you in due course. If, however, your application is not successful you will receive a letter stating the reasons why. Possible reasons for rejection could be:

• providing insufficient or incorrect personal information • the necessary travel documentation and/or a fully completed itinerary was not provided • no sponsorship letter was submitted with the application (this is essential where the travel is being sponsored) • the discovery of criminal convictions or any previous history of criminal activity • insufficient financial means or proof of income for travel • passport expiry date – the Indian government requires that passports need a minimum of three year’s validity • any evidence of forged documentation or incorrect information supplied • insufficient travel insurance coverage (less than 30,000 EUROS) or insurance that does not meet the required terms and conditions for the country/countries being visited • a lack of evidence relating to booked accommodation and any travel/tourist tickets (if a sponsor is organising this on applicant’s behalf, they must send the necessary documents to the embassy) • possible damage or any evidence of tampering with the applicant’s passport • any other form of non-compliance with the procedural requirements of obtaining a visa

Tips for a successful application

There are steps you can take to ensure that your application is successful. First, you should take care to read all the guidance and application forms thoroughly before you begin your application. You should also gather together all the necessary personal information and documentation you will need during the process. The important things to remember are:

• to check that your current passport has at least three year’s validity; if it doesn’t, you must renew it immediately – also ensure there is no damage to the passport • ensure that you explain fully your reasons for travel to the Schengen Area • make sure that all of your personal details are correct and that supporting documents are available and in the correct format • include all relevant educational/professional qualifications and evidence • organise and purchase the required amount of travel insurance • obtain sponsorship letters (where required) and collate all travel/accommodation documentation • do not, under any circumstances, provide incorrect or misleading information or attempt to forge signatures • check and double check that you have followed the correct procedures all the way through the process

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What are you looking for?

A step-by-step guide to apply for a schengen visa.

File your Schengen visa application at your Visa Appication Centre in three easy steps.

Duly completed application forms may be submitted three months prior to the intended travel date. As application numbers peak during the months of April through September, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of their actual travel dates. This will help towards the smooth organization of your trip. Please note that it can take up to two weeks to process your Schengen visa , and even longer in individual cases.

File your Schemgem visa application at your Visa Application Centre in three easy steps:

Prepare the necessary documentation for your visa application using the following checklists: If you are planning to visit Germany as a tourist: Checklist for a Tourist Visa If you are planning to visit Family or Friends in Germany: Checklist for a Visit Visa If you are planning to visit Germany for a business trip of less than or up to 90 days: Checklist for a Business Visas If you are planning to visit Germany for a Trade Fair: Checklist for a Trade Fair visa If you are planning to visit Germany for a Training program of less than or up to 90 days: Checklist for a Training Visa If you're visiting Germay as a professional for a cultural, films, sports, or religious event: Checklist for Group Visas If you require an Airport Transit visa: Checklist for Airport Transit Visas

If you are visiting Germany as a Guest Scientist for less than or up to 90 days: Checklist for Guest Scientist Visas If you are visiting Germany to receive Medical Treatment: Checklist for Medical Treatment Visas (Kindly note that your photographs should meet biometric photos requirement . These photos can be obtained, among other things, at the Visa Application Centres.)

Please fill out the online application form , print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Those applying for a Schengen visa in Mumbai are kindly requested to fill in the online application forms according to VIDEX format, which can be found above. Please ensure that a high quality printout of the barcode is submitted with the application.

Please print out & sign the following declarations in order to complete your documentation: Declaration on True and Complete information Declaration on Health Insurance Additional Contact and Legal Representation information

Now you can schedule an appointment for the submission of your visa application and submit it at the nearest Visa Application Centre.

For further information, please visit the VFS Global Website

Alternatively, after scheduling an apppointment, you may also submit your visa application at the German Mission of your local jurisdiction.

Visa Application Centres

List of Visa Application Centres across India.

How to schedule an appointment?

Find information on how to schedule appointments for Schengen Visa, German National Visa & for attestations.

Travel Medical Insurance

Please note: German Missions accept Indian Travel Medical Insurances only from approved Indian Travel Insurance companies.

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Explained: How New Schengen Visa Rules Ease Europe Travel For Indians

The schengen area comprises 25 countries out of the 27 eu countries except the republic of ireland and cyprus..

A Schengen visa permits a brief stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe.

The European Union (EU) recently introduced a revamped visa system tailored specifically for Indian nationals. This new system offers substantial advantages to Indian citizens, allowing them access to long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, which can significantly streamline travel plans and enhance the overall experience for those venturing into the Schengen area.

What Is Schengen Visa

The Schengen area comprises 25 countries out of the 27 EU countries except the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus. It includes countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This extensive area not only offers diverse cultural experiences but also facilitates seamless travel across borders for visa holders.

A Schengen visa permits a brief stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. This visa may be issued as either a single-entry, enabling one entry into the Schengen area, or a multiple-entry, allowing multiple visits for the duration of its validity.

How The New Rules Affect Indians

Under the new regulations, Indian travellers can now obtain a two-year Schengen visa, a marked improvement from the shorter validity periods previously available. To qualify for this extended two-year visa, applicants must have acquired and appropriately utilised two Schengen visas within the preceding three years. Upon successful utilisation of the two-year visa, travellers can typically expect to be eligible for a five-year Schengen visa, provided their passport maintains sufficient validity.

The new rules essentially say that Indian travellers can move freely within the Schengen member countries for short stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period, without the need for additional permits or authorisations. Under this system, eligible travellers with a proven track record of travel will have simplified access to visas with extended validity, provided their passport's validity permits.

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The 'Cascade' system, as it's termed, is designed to reward frequent travellers with progressively longer visa durations. It begins with a two-year visa, and upon successful use, travellers can potentially qualify for a five-year visa. While these visas do not restrict the purpose of travel, they do not allow the right to work within the Schengen area.

The decision to tweak the rules comes in the broader context of improving relations between the EU and India

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Schengen Tourist Visa for Indians: How To Apply & Requirements

Last Updated : 02 May 2024

Last Updated : 02 May 2024 at

30 Seconds Summary

Indian travellers seeking a Schengen tourist visa must ensure they hold a valid Schengen tourist visa.

Start Early: Initiate the application process well in advance.

Choose the Right Embassy : Select the embassy or consulate of your main Schengen destination.

Prepare Thorough Documents : Ensure all necessary documents are complete and accurate. Include proof of financial means and travel insurance.

Attend Appointments on Time : Be punctual for any required appointments or interviews.

Important Information

— Type Of Visa

— Visa Fees

— Visa Validity

— Length of Stay

— Visa Processing Time

— Quickest Visa Appointment

If you're an Indian citizen, you can apply for this short-stay visa to make your European adventure a reality. This visa allows you to visit 27 countries in the Schengen Area . The duration of your stay under this visa is subject to the 90/180 rule, allowing you to enjoy up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

What is a Schengen Tourist Visa?

A Schengen tourist visa, categorised as "C," falls under the short-term visa classification. This type of visa permits the holder to stay within the Schengen Area for a specific duration based on the visa's validity. The "C" category includes three subtypes depending on the number of entries allowed:

Single-Entry Visa

Double-Entry Visa

Multiple-Entry Visa

Choosing a Schengen visa is like picking the right ticket for your trip. There are three types: single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry. The one you need depends on where you're going and why. But you must follow the 90/180 rule regardless of your ticket.

Required Documents for a Tourist Schengen Visa

The specific documents required for a Schengen tourist visa can vary slightly depending on the country you're applying to and your individual circumstances.

However, here is a general list of documents commonly required for a Schengen tourist visa application:

Visa Application Form : Complete and sign the official application form of the specific Schengen country you plan to visit.

Passport : A valid passport with at least two blank pages and a validity that extends beyond your intended stay in the Schengen Area.

Passport-sized Photos : Recent passport-sized photos meet the Schengen visa photo requirements .

Travel Itinerary : A detailed travel itinerary of your trip, including flight reservations, accommodation details, and planned activities.

Proof of Accommodation : Hotel reservation or a letter of invitation if you're staying with friends or family. Generate a Schengen invitation letter effortlessly by filling in the blanks using this tool.

Proof of Financial Means : Provide proof of sufficient funds , such as bank statements or an official letter from a sponsor indicating financial support to cover your expenses during your stay.

Travel Insurance : Proof of travel insurance covering a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses and repatriation for your stay.

Proof of Employment or Student Status : Employment letter or enrollment certificate if you're a student.

Schengen Visa Fee : Payment of the visa application fee. The amount can vary by country and visa type for Schengen .

Additional Documents : Depending on your situation, additional documents may be required, such as a No Objection Certificate from your employer, proof of ties to your home country, or a marriage certificate, if applicable.

It's crucial to check the specific requirements of the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country you plan to visit, as there may be variations in the documentation needed. Always apply well before your intended travel date and follow the guidelines provided by the consulate or embassy.

How To Apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa?

Applying for a Tourist Schengen Visa involves several steps. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Determine the Schengen Country to Apply To

Begin by identifying the primary Schengen country you intend to visit, usually based on the duration of your stay or your initial entry point into the Schengen Area. This country will be the focus of your visa application.

Step 2: Check Visa Requirements

Visit the official website of the embassy or consulate of your chosen Schengen country to review specific visa requirements. Familiarise yourself with the list of necessary documents and any additional conditions for a successful application.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Download and diligently fill out the Schengen visa application form from the official embassy or consulate website. Ensure all details are accurate and complete; this information is crucial for visa processing.

Step 4: Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary documents as outlined in the visa requirements for Schengen . This typically includes your passport, passport-sized photos, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, financial statements, and travel insurance. Thoroughly prepare these documents to support your application.

Step 5: Schedule an Appointment

Check if the embassy or consulate requires appointments for visa submission. If an appointment for a Schengen visa is necessary, schedule one well in advance to secure a convenient time to submit your documents.

Step 6: Attend the Appointment

On the scheduled day, attend the embassy or visa application centre appointment. Submit all the required documents, pay the visa fee, attend a visa interview , and, if necessary, provide biometric data . This step marks the official submission of your visa application.

Step 7: Pay the Visa Fee

Ensure the payment of the Schengen visa fee using the specified methods accepted by the embassy or consulate. This fee covers the processing costs associated with your application.

Step 8: Wait for Processing

After submission, patiently wait for the processing of your visa application. The duration can vary but typically takes a few weeks. Use this time to track the status of your application if the embassy provides a tracking service. Upon completion, collect your passport, now stamped with the Schengen visa if approved, and review its validity dates. Always adhere to the guidelines provided by the embassy or consulate throughout the application process.

Applying for a Schengen tourist visa with Atlys is like taking the express lane through the visa application journey. Forget about the confusing paperwork and complicated steps – Atlys simplifies everything.

Everything You Need To Know About Tourist Schengen Visa From India

How much does a schengen visa cost.

The Schengen visa fees for Indian nationals remain constant, regardless of the visa's validity. Here's a breakdown of the fees:

Standard Visa Fee: The regular Schengen adult visa fee is €80 (around INR 7258).

Children Aged 6 to 12: If your child is between 6 and 12, the fee is reduced to €40 (approximately INR 3629). Children under 6 don't need to pay any visa fee.

Please be aware that the visa fees mentioned in INR are subject to change based on fluctuations in the exchange rate.

When Should You Apply For A Tourist Schengen Visa?

Submit your Tourist Schengen Visa application at least 15 calendar days before your journey to the Schengen Area.

This is the latest you can file your application. On the other hand, the earliest you can apply for a Tourist visa to the Schengen Zone is three months before your trip.

How Long Does It Take To Receive the Visa?

According to the Schengen Visa Code, processing a Schengen visa takes 15 calendar days . It’s advisable to schedule your visa application submission well in advance. You can apply up to six months before your planned trip.

Depending on the situation, proceeding might take up to two months if there is something extraordinary with the individual case or if any unusual political situation is on the go.

How Long Is the Tourist Visa Valid For?

It's crucial to adhere to the 90/180 rule , ensuring that your stay in the Schengen Area does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.

To cater to various travel scenarios, especially for those exploring multiple Schengen countries, selecting the "multiple entry" option in the application form is recommended.

This strategic choice allows travellers to enter and exit the Schengen Zone as needed within the specified visa duration, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Can I Extend a Tourist Schengen Visa for Indians?

Extending a tourist Schengen visa is generally not permitted, as the 90/180 rule establishes the maximum allowable stay.

If you need more time in the Schengen Area, you may need to exit the Schengen Zone and re-enter only after completing the 180-day period, during which you've spent a maximum of 90 days.

Tips For Ensuring A Successful Schengen Visa Application

Ensuring a successful Schengen visa application involves careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

Start Early : Begin the application process well before your planned travel date. This allows time for any unforeseen delays or additional documentation requirements.

Choose the Right Embassy or Consulate : Apply at the embassy or consulate of the main Schengen country you plan to visit or the country of your first entry.

Understand the Visa Type : Select the correct visa type based on the purpose of your visit (e.g., tourism, business, family visit). Each type has specific requirements .

Review and Prepare Documents : Thoroughly review the required documents and ensure they are complete, accurate, and up-to-date. Common documents include a passport, visa application form, photos, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, financial statements, and travel insurance .

Provide a Detailed Itinerary : Present a comprehensive travel itinerary, including details of your stay, accommodation, and planned activities. This adds credibility to your application.

Proof of Financial Means : Demonstrate your ability to cover the costs of your trip by providing bank statements, sponsorship letters, or any other evidence of financial stability .

Travel Insurance : Obtain travel insurance that meets Schengen requirements, covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses and repatriation.

Book Refundable Flight Tickets : Consider booking refundable flight tickets. You can cancel the tickets without significant financial loss if your visa is denied.

Show Ties to Home Country : Highlight your ties to your home country, such as employment, property ownership, or family commitments, on your Cover letter. Easily generate your Schengen cover letter using this tool.

Keep in mind that everyone's situation is different. Customise your visa application according to your own circumstances and the rules of the embassy or consulate you're dealing with. Check the most recent guidelines and, if necessary, get advice from professionals to ensure you're on the right track.

In conclusion, getting a Schengen Tourist Visa for Indians means carefully following the steps and rules. If you're an Indian looking to explore the beautiful countries in the Schengen Area, you must plan ahead and ensure you have all the required documents.

You can choose the type of visa based on your travel plans, whether it's a one-time entry, two-time entry, or multiple entries.

Remember, you can't stay for more than 90 days within any 180-day days. Stay updated on any changes in rules or guidelines, and you'll be ready to embark on an exciting journey through Europe.

Government sources

At Atlys, we want to ensure we give you the right information. Hence, our blog only uses the official details provided on the Schengen government website. The information in this blog is written using the following:

European Union

Just keep in mind that government rules and fees can change. Before you apply for your Schengen visa, it's a good idea to check the official website for the latest information.

That way, you'll have the most up-to-date details.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you plan to travel to Europe for tourism, whether you need a Schengen visa depends on your citizenship.

No Visa Needed for EU/EFTA Citizens : Suppose you are a citizen of a European Union (EU) country or a European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country. In that case, you generally don't need a visa for short trips (up to 90 days) to other Schengen countries.

Visa Needed for Non-EU/EFTA Citizens : If you are not a citizen of an EU or EFTA country, you usually need a Schengen visa for tourism. Check the specific requirements for the country you plan to visit, as rules can vary.

Check the Official Website : Visit the official website of the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country you plan to visit. Look for the latest information on visa requirements and the application process.

Apply in Advance : If a visa is required, apply well before your travel date. Follow the application instructions provided by the embassy or consulate.

Remember, regulations can change, so always verify the current requirements with the relevant authorities.

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The Europe Tourist Visa, also known as the Schengen Visa, allows Indian travelers to explore the rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse attractions of 26 European countries. It is a gateway to experiencing the romance of Paris, the history of Rome, and the beauty of the Swiss Alps, all with a single visa.

Why Indians Choose Europe Tourist Visa?

• Diverse Destinations: Access to multiple countries with distinct cultures, languages, and cuisines.
• Ease of Travel: Smooth border crossings within the Schengen Area, enhancing travel convenience.
• Cultural Exploration: Opportunity to immerse in Europe’s rich history, art, and traditions.
• Scenic Beauty: Experience breathtaking natural landscapes, from Mediterranean beaches to Alpine mountains.
• Festivals and Events: Participate in world-famous events like Oktoberfest in Germany or the Venice Carnival.

Why Indians Choose Europe Tourist Visa

Benefits of europe tourist visa.

• Simplified Travel: Visit multiple European countries with a single visa application.
• Flexibility: Choose from a variety of visa durations and entry types based on your travel plans.
• Cultural Enrichment: Gain exposure to different European cultures and lifestyles.
• Convenience: Easy application process and freedom to plan your itinerary as desired.

Steps to Get Europe Tourist Visa

• Determine Visa Type: Ensure the tourist visa category aligns with your travel purpose.
• Complete Application Form: Accurately fill out the Schengen Visa application form.
• Gather Required Documents: Assemble all necessary travel-related documents.
• Schedule and Attend an Interview: Book an appointment at the consulate and attend the visa interview.
• Pay the Visa Fee: Submit the application fee as per the current rates.
• Wait for Processing: Track the status of your application until a decision is made.

Documents Required for the Tourist Visa

• Valid Passport: With at least two blank pages and validity extending beyond your return date.
• Completed Application Form: Accurately filled and signed.
• Travel Itinerary: Detailed plan of your trip, including flight and hotel bookings.
• Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements or sponsorship letters to show you can cover the expenses.
• Travel Insurance: Coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation.
• Photographs: Passport-sized photos as per Schengen visa specifications.

Dos and Don’ts When on a Europe Tourist Visa

• Adhere to Your Itinerary: Stick to the travel plans outlined in your visa application.
• Respect Local Customs: Be mindful of cultural norms and traditions.
• Keep Documents Handy: Carry your passport, visa, and other important documents while traveling.
• Follow Visa Conditions: Ensure you understand and comply with the terms of your visa.

Don’ts:

• Overstay Your Visa: Ensure you leave the Schengen Area before your visa expires.
• Engage in Unauthorized Activities: Avoid work or activities not permitted by your tourist visa.
• Neglect Travel Insurance: Always have valid insurance coverage throughout your stay.
• Ignore Entry and Exit Rules: Follow the specific entry and exit requirements of each Schengen country.

Limitations of the Europe Tourist Visa

• Duration of Stay: Typically limited to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• No Work Authorization: The tourist visa does not permit employment or long-term stays.
• Single or Multiple Entries: Depending on the visa issued, you may be restricted in the number of entries into the Schengen Area.
• Travel Purpose: The visa is strictly for tourism purposes; other activities may require a different visa category.

How Aussizz Group Can Help

Aussizz Group specializes in visa consultancy services, offering assistance to Indian travelers applying for a Europe Tourist Visa:

• Expert Advice: Receive personalized guidance on visa requirements and application procedures.
• Document Preparation: Assistance in compiling and organizing all necessary documents for a successful application.
• Application Review: Ensure your application is complete, accurate, and error-free.
• Interview Preparation: Get tips and coaching for a successful visa interview.
• Post-Approval Support: Guidance on travel arrangements and meeting visa conditions.

  With the expertise of Aussizz Group , you can navigate the Europe Tourist Visa application process with confidence, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable European adventure.

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Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Dec 20, 2023 • 7 min read

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India © beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published Mar 12, 2022 and updated Dec 20, 2023.

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Now, Indian citizens eligible for multi-entry Schengen visa for longer validity: Here’s all you need to know about the new rules

The new rules, adopted on april 18, have been made in the context of "strengthened relations" under the eu-india common agenda on migration and mobility.

The European Union (EU) has updated visa rules which now allow Indian nationals to get multiple-entry Schengen visas with an extended validity period. Known as t he “cascade” system, the new regime aims to simplify the visa application process for frequent travellers with proven travel history, provided their passport validity allows it.

The new rules, adopted on April 18, have been made in the context of “strengthened relations” under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which aims to enhance the relationship between the EU and India by promoting greater interaction between their people. The agenda also emphasises the importance of a collaborative approach to migration policy between the EU and India.

“According to the newly adopted visa “cascade” regime for India, Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years. The two-year visa will normally be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport has sufficient validity remaining. During the validity period of these visas, holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals,” according to a press statement on the EU website.

Hervé Delphin, ambassador, delegation of EU to India, also posted on X in this regard.

Travel to Europe made easy! ✈️ ⁰🇪🇺 takes another step towards enhancing people-to-people contact with 🇮🇳.⁰New #Schengen #visa regime gives 🇮🇳 frequent travellers access to multi-year visa (up to 5 y.) Europe delivers on the partnership! Know More 👉 https://t.co/6EzlUF8jrR pic.twitter.com/ELhZdCfI83 — Hervé Delphin (@EUAmbIndia) April 22, 2024

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a type of entry permit that allows the holder to visit any of the countries that are part of the Schengen area for a short period of time. It permits the holder to travel freely in the designated area for up to 90 days within 180 days, although they do not grant the right to work.

What are the new rules for Indians?

According to the new rules, if an Indian national has used two visas legally within the past three years, they will be eligible for a long-term, multi-entry Schengen visa, valid for two years.

If the requirements are met and their passport has enough validity, they may be granted a five-year visa. During the validity period of these visas, the holders can travel freely within the Schengen area for short stays, similar to the travel rights of visa-free nationals.

What are the countries under the Schengen visa?

The Schengen area is a region comprising 29 European countries, including 25 EU states such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. In addition to these, it also includes non-EU countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

• e-Tourist Visa

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How to get a multi-year Schengen visa on your Indian passport

There's good news for indian passport holders who are planning to visit europe this summer. the eu is easing the schengen visa process for frequent travellers..

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• Visiting Europe is getting easier for Indian passport holders
• A new 'cascade' visa scheme will allow frequent travellers to get a multi-year multiple-entry Schengen visa
• However, you need to meet certain criteria to be able to apply for this 'cascade' visa

There's good news for Indian passport holders who want to visit Europe this year on. The European Union is looking to ease Schengen visa processes for Indian tourists.

• Nationality
• Document Required
• Technical Info for e-Visa
• Payment Related
• Authorized Immigration checkposts through which eVisa holders can travel.

Payment Helpdesk

SBI ePay: +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7)                Axis Bank : +91 1800-419-0073 (24 x 7)

Toll free Numbers from:

• USA : 1855 205 5577
• Uk : 0808 178 5040
• Singapore : 800 1206 355
• Australia : 1800 153 861
• UAE : 8000 3570 3218
• Saudi Arabia : 800 850 0000
• Qatar : 00 800 100 348
• Bahrain : 800 11 300

Select option no. 6 on IVR to connect to agents.

From rest of the countries none toll free number to India + 91-40-6717-4100 (Paid Number).

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E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply online

Upload Photo and Passport Page

Pay eVisa fee online

Using Credit / Debit card / Payment Wallet

Receive ETA Online

Electronic Travel Authorization/ETA Will be sent to your e-mail

Fly To India

Print ETA and present at Immigration Check Post where eVisa will be stamped on passport.

Government of India makes no provision of charging of any emergency fees or additional fees for grant of any emergency / express e-visa. Those travelling to India are also advised to go through instructions available on the website of Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in .

eVisa is admissable only under the following categories:

E-tourist visa, e-business visa, e-conference visa, e-medical visa, e-medical attendent visa, e-ayush visa, e-ayush attendent visa.

• e-Emergency X-Misc Visa

1. One Month e-Tourist Visa

One Month (30 Days).

Double Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible

2. One year e-Tourist Visa

One year (365 Days) from the date of grant of ETA.

3. Five years e-Tourist Visa

Five years from the date of grant of ETA.

Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days for 1 year and 5 year Tourist Visa.

One year (365 days) from the date of grant of ETA.

Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. If the intension is to stay for more then 180 days, shall get registered with FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

Thirty days (30 days) from the date of arrival into India.

Organizers to upload all details & documentation on the MHA website (conference.mha.gov.in)

Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.

If the applicant is unable to complete his e-visa application form, he may save the application and may return to complete the application form by clicking the tab at the bottom of page: After your eVisa applications is submitted, the same shall be scrutinized and if any Document/Image is not appropriate, you may be advised on your given e-mail to re-upload the same. To re-upload use the tab at the bottom of the page. Applicant should normally receive this mail within 24 hours.

• Useful Web Links
• Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India.
• Ministry of External Affairs, Govt Of India
• Ministry of Tourism, Govt Of India
• Bureau of Immigration, Govt Of India
• Incredible India, Govt Of India

Eligibility

• International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sight seeing,casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme,Short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc),Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return), medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and private conferences organized by private persons/companies/organizations.
• Applicant's passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa.
• International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
• International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
• Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
• Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
• Not available to International Travel Document Holders other than Passport.

If you are a national of any following countries, you are eligible for eVisa.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cameroon Union Republic
• Cayman Island
• Cook Islands
• Cote d'lvoire
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Niger Republic
• Niue Island
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Republic of Korea
• Saint Christopher and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos Island
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City-Holy See
• Zambia and Zimbabwe

Documents Requirement & Visa Categories

• General Instructions
• Advisory for Canadian Nationals
• e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa(for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years) ,e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.
• For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.
• For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan
• Sample eVisa application form is available on the tab near the bottom of eVisa main page.
• Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.
• e-Visa fee is country/Territory specific. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed. To know the fee applicable on your Country/Territory please Click here (for e-Tourist Visa) and for other e-Visa Click here .
• e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
• Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking VisaStatus
• Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
• e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority please visit here.
• The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.
• Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. Please visit our Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries here.
• You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued

The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment.

Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

Documents Required: All documents uploaded by the applicant including business cards, invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which e-Visa application would be liable for rejection.

The documents required for e-visa are :.

• Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details *
• For short term courses, copy of letter from the institute/organization/hospital etc. concerned on its letter-head *
• For voluntary work of short duration, copy of letter from the organization concerned on its letter-head *
• Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which including the date / tentative date which admission have been suggested .
• Copy of Business Card
• Any letter of invitation if applicable from indian parties which wish you conduct the business (optional).
• Copy of Passport page containing personal particulars *
• Approval of the Government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports)
• Invitation Letter to foreign sports teams and sports persons to visit India by the concerned Sports Federation/Association in India.
• If the applicant had participated in any commercial sports event during his/her previous visit to India, then documents regarding Tax compliance for the said visit are to be furnished
• If the sports event entails visit to Restricted or Protected Areas in India, below mentioned additional documents are also to be submitted (a) Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (b) Political Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of external Affairs, Government of India. (c) Requisite clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
• Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
• Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
• Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty
• Invitation from organizer, which applicant may seek from this organiser.
• Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs
• Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

• Format - JPEG
• Minimum 10 KB
• Maximum 1 MB
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
• Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
• Background should be plain light colored or white background.
• No shadows on the face or on the background.
• Without borders.
• Format -PDF
• Size : Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB

The applicant has choice of using two option for payment.

• SBI-FAQS-Payment Related
• AXIS-FAQS-Payment Related

SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India – India’s Largest Bank and amongst top 50 Banks in the world, which provides bouquet of multiple payment options on a single page for the convenience of the customers.

SBIePay has facilitated the following channels on e-Visa platform:

• Payment Gateway: It seamlessly processes Credit card and Debit Card transactions for all the cards issued internationally by Visa & MasterCard. SBIePay Payment gateway is enabled with BIN identifier which recognises the BIN online when a customer enters the no., which drastically improves the success percentage and reduces customer friction.
• Paypal: SBIePay also facilitates e-Visa customers to make payment through widely popular and accepted Paypal channel.

SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 3.2, which is the latest version, and which further reinforces our promise of security and safety. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further, SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information that travels over the Internet is always encrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.

Yes, SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.

The applicant enters necessary details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ , and clicks on 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options of either entering Card details (Payment Gateway) or Paypal .Applicant enters his card details and clicks ‘Proceed’. Now, either of the below mentioned 2 scenarios will occur:

• 3 D Secure page of the Card Issuerwill be displayed, where applicant must enter 3D Secure Password/OTP.
• Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

If an applicant is presented with a 3D Secure page prompting to enter a password/OTP, this means the Card issuing Bank participates in 3D Secure transaction. If the applicant’s transaction is processed without directing to 3D secure page, he/she should contact the card issuing Bank for support.

In an ideal scenario, once the transaction is processed, the applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with a reference number.

In some rare scenarios it may happen where the application is not shown Payment successful page post completion of transaction, which may be due to a drop in connectivity leading to non-receipt of success response. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation process to the applicants’ card account.

In rare case of transaction status unknown to the applicant, which is when the applicant has not received success response due to time out or connectivity issue and the account has been debited, we advise the customer not to attempt another transaction immediately and rather provide their Order no. on the e-Visa site after 30 minutes to check the status of the transaction. If the transaction status is showing ‘failed’, then customer may attempt another transaction. Also, the debited amount shall be refunded to the applicants’ card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.

The banking charges for:

• Payment Gateway Card transactions (both Debit or Credit Card): 2.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.
• Paypal: 3.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.

*The charges are inclusive of any applicable taxes.

The breakup of transaction charges will be displayed on the Payment page for applicants’ knowledge and to maintain transparency.

At State Bank of India, we are committed to provide best customer services to our customers. Customers can email us at sbiepay[at]sbi[dot]co[dot]in for any queries related to their transaction. Alternatively, SBIePay provides 24*7*365 customer support to all the e-Visa applicants. Applicants can also call us on the below mentioned number(s):

Contact No: +91-22-2753-5773

An applicant can perform multiple times transactions for a single application ID, with a gap of minimum 25 minutes between each transaction. It is advisable that applicant may check the status of the transaction at e-Visa portal before attempting another transaction.

An applicant shall be charged for only once for any successful transaction against an application ID. Any further debits shall be refunded back to the customer after due reconciliation, within seven (7) days of transactions.

Axis Bank is an Internet Payment Gateway Solution allows you to make payments on a 24 X 7 basis from around the world. It accepts all Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards.

Axis Bank Payment Gateway services facilitates online payments w.r.t. all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.

Axis Bank Payment gateway services is compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standards. All transactions initiated at Axis Bank Payment Gateway services come with 128 bit security and two factor authentication via MasterCard Secure Code and Verified-by-Visa authentication is enabled.

Axis Bank Payment gateway accepts all international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D secure authentication.

The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to Axis Bank payment gateway page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Cardholder enters his card number, expiry date, Name and CVV value and clicks 'Pay Now'. Incase cardholder Bank is enabled for 3D secure, then a page will appear for the cardholder to entire either his/her OTP/3D secure password. Else transaction would be processed. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

Incase Bank is participating for 3D Secure transaction during transaction a 3D secure page would appear and cardholders have to enter his/her password /OTP.

The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund will have to be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicant's card account.

If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount will have to be refunded to the applicant's card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction. In some cases, If the fund still lies with the card issuing Bank, kindly get in touch with your Bank for such case.

The banking charges are subject to maximum of 2.5% plus applicable taxes on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e visa fee payment.

Axis Bank provides technical support for all payment related transactions at ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com

Our endeavour is to provide you with a seamless experience on our platform. Please ensure following, before initiating the card payment.

• Using a non-expired card
• Have sufficient balance in your account
• Have sufficient credit card limit on the card being used
• Card is not reported as “lost or stolen”
• Entering the correct OTP. Have access to device for accessing OTP or Static password
• Card supports transactions in INR and USD
• Amount has not exceeded the daily maximum allowed amount by your issuer
• Number of transactions have not exceeded the daily maximum allowed count by your issuer
• Issuer and card not enrolled for 3DS
• Timeout occurred while receiving the OTP from issuer or while entering OTP on the payment page

SBI e-Pay Payment Gateway :-

• SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India which provides multiple payment options on a single payment page for the convenience of applicants. SBIePay has enabled Debit and Credit issued by MasterCard and VISA.
• SBIePay facilitates online payments all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.
• SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 2.0 certified, which reinforces our promise of security. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information never sent over the Internet unencrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.
• SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.
• The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ and clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Applicant enters his card details and clicks “Proceed”. Then the applicant may see one of the two options: i. 3 D Secure page of the Card issuing page for inputing 3D Secure password/OTP ii. Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.
• The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicants card account.
• If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount shall be refunded to the applicants card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.
• The banking charges are 2.5% on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e-visa fee payment.
• SBIePay provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 is (24 x 7).
• An applicant can perform maximum of three transactions for a single application ID.
• If the applicant cannot succeed in three attempts, a new application is required to be filled and transaction has to be carried out with new application ID.
• An applicant shall be charged for only once against an application ID. Any double/triple debit shall be refunded after due reconciliation within seven (7) days of transactions.

Ans- The following are the eligibility conditions for availing e-Visa services-   i. Nationals of countries listed on the e-Visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ are eligible to apply for e-Visa Services.   ii. Foreigners whose sole objective for visiting India is     (a) Recreation and sightseeing     (b) Casual visit to meet friends and relatives     (c) Attending short term yoga programme or short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme      (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issuing a qualifying certificate/diploma etc. to the participants)     (d) Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return)     (e) Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine     (f) As attendant to e-Medical visa holder     (g) Business purpose     (h) Attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop.   iii. Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa and a re-entry permit, if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant.    The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.   iv. The foreigner should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.   v. Foreigners of Pakistani origin or having Pakistani Passport are not eligible for e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) was born    in, or was permanently resident in Pakistan, are also not eligible for e-Visa. They may apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.   vi. Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer/ international travel document holders.   vii. Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

Ans- For details regarding procedure for applying, please visit our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

Ans- No, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ is only the official website to apply for the e-Visa Services.    Note - Services of e-Visa are completely online and no facilitation is required by any intermediary / travel agents etc. It is advised not to believe or fall in trap of any such unscrupulous elements who claim    speedy/express grant of e-Visa and charge money for it.    Do not share your personal information with any unauthorized website as it may lead to leakage of your personal data. Only visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ for e-Visa    service.    For any clarification, you may write us on our email id ' indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in ' or contact us on +91 11 24300666 .

Ans- No, there is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Please visit our website to know the fee applicable for your country as it is country-specific.

Ans- (i) For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance    of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 120 days in advance from proposed date of travel.    (ii) For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 30 days in advance from    proposed date of travel.

Ans- Yes. Immediately after you submit your e-Visa application and make the payment, you will receive a confirmation of submission of your application on the email id provided by you while filling up your    application form.

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take 72 hours or more for processing. You will be intimated about your Visa status (Granted or Rejected) on your email id provided by you in the e-Visa application.

Ans- Yes, you may check the status of your e-Visa application by visiting our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and clicking on 'Check your Visa Status' Tab provided on the website.

Ans- The validity of e-Visa would be according to the e-Visa service you have requested in the application form as -    For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years) , the validity would be 365 days / 05 years from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days.    For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first    arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.    For e-Business Visa , the validity would be 365 days from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and continuous stay during each visit which shall not exceed 180 days and no registration would be    required if stay is for a period of less than 180 days. However, if the intention is to stay for more than 180 days, then the foreigner shall get himself/herself registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned     (https://indianfrro.gov.in) within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days of his/her arrival in India.    For e-Conference Visa , the validity would be 30 days from the date of arrival in India with Single entry.    For e-Medical Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.    For e-Medical Attendant Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.

Ans- No, e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Ans- You may arrive at 31 designated Airports i.e. Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa(Dabolim), Goa(Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad,Indore    Jaipur,Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi & Visakhapatnam, and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore,    Chennai and Mumbai seaports). You may depart from any of the Indian Immigration Check Posts (ICPs).

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take upto 72 hours for processing. For more enquiries on your e-Visa application, you can contact us at +91 11 24300666 or e-mail at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in    The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries in this regard. In cases where applicants have been asked for correct details or additional information    where application is incomplete, the same must be sent immediately. If such information is not provided within 72 hours, the application is liable to be rejected.

Ans- Yes, ensure that your child’s passport is valid at-least for next 06 (six) months from the date of arrival in India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Ans- No. You have already paid the required processing fee online. The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries demanding extra payment.

Ans- This pertains to customs department.

Ans- Make sure you delete the browser history and cookies before trying to make payment. Also try to change the browser if the problem persists.    In case you have already tried more than thrice, then you may have to re-submit the entire application form once again.    Payment Support helpline :-     Axis Bank Technical support. Email address: ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com    Contact No Toll free Numbers from:    USA : 18552055577 UK : 0808178 5040 Singapore : 8001206355 Australia : 1800153861 UAE : 8000 3570 3218 Saudi Arabia : 8008500000 Qatar : 00800 100348 Bahrain : 80011300    For rest of the countries: + 91-40-6717-4100     SBI ePay payment support provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7).

Ans- Please visit our website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and click on 'Verify Payment/ Pay e-Visa fee'.

Ans - You have to upload the business card along with the details of Indian Firm/Company (which you intend to associate yourself with) for business activities. For Sports Related Activity under e-Business Visa, please refer Instructions for applicant page for the list of documents required.

Ans- Business card means 'a card provided to you by the company you are working for' OR you can also upload 'an invitation letter from the company in India including company's information, address and    phone number in India'.

Ans - A Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which includes the tentative date of admission/treatment in the hospital mentioning the name, nationality and Passport number of    the patient/ e-Medical Visa applicant.

Ans- For e-Conference Visa, following are the required documents:    (i) Invitation from organizer (mandatory)    (ii) Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India (mandatory)    (iii) Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (optional)

Ans- You may be allowed entry into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport with the condition that you must carry the new Passport and old passport on which ETA was    issued.

Ans- No, You can only enter through the designated airports/seaports which are listed on the e-Visa website.

Ans- You have to put the Previous visa details in the application form as it is mandatory. You can write NA or Not Available or Not Applicable or any other suitable phrase according to you in the application    form if you do not remember your earlier Visa number/details.

Ans- The Visa on Arrival facility is only for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India). For the nationals of all other    countries eligible for e-Visa, the e-visa application have to be filled online and the applicant must wait till the confirmation/Grant of ETA for travelling to India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either grant or Rejection of the Application.

Ans- Entry by cruise ship is allowed with the ETA through 5 designated seaports namely Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa and Mangalore seaports.

Ans- 'Visible identification mark' generally means moles, birthmarks, permanent scars etc. which are visible and can be shown if askd for by the Indian Immigration Authority.

Ans- All the foreigners arriving in India within 6 days of departure from any yellow fever endemic country are required to possess (in original) a valid yellow fever certificate of vaccination.    List of Yellow fever vaccination countries-     https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Updated%20List%20of%20Yellow%20Fever%20Endemic%20Countries%20by%20WHO_0.pdf

Ans- The applicant must check all the details including Name, Nationality, Passport Number and Date of Birth, photograph/self image etc before final submission of e-Visa application. The applicant would be    responsible for any discrepancy irrespective of grant/rejection of e-Visa application. However, if any discrepancy found on ETA, e-Visa Support Centre may be contacted at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in or     +91 11 24300666 for assistance at least 24 hours before the journey date.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for employment. You may apply for a Regular Visa.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for NGO activities and journalism purposes. However, Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or    consideration of any kind in return) are allowed.

Ans- Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa (patient).

Authorized Immigration Checkposts

Entry points.

Persons holding eVisa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports (31) namely :

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Goa(Dabolim)
• Visakhapatnam
• Bhubaneswar

eVisa facility is also been provided for entry at 5 major Indian seaport for cruise tourists:

• New Mangalore

Exit Points

• Bhubaneshwar
• Tiruchirapalli
• Vishakhapatnam
• Attari Road
• Changrabandha
• Gauriphanta
• Kailashahar
• Lalgolaghat
• Srimantapur
• Kawarpuchia
• Bedi Bunder
• Mormagoa Harbour
• Mumbai Seaport
• Nagapattinum
• Nhava Sheva
• Vishakapatnam
• Agati and Minicoy Island Lakshdwip UT
• Vallarpadam
• Krishnapatnam
• Munabao Rail Check Post
• Attari Rail Check Post
• Gede Rail and Road Check Post
• Haridaspur Rail Check Post
• Chitpur Rail Checkpost

Technical information for e-visa: This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox,Google Chrome,Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and above.The applicant must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. This website is compatible with Android and IOS devices.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad

Travelling to the EU and Schengen area

You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:

• you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period
• you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

Other reasons include:

• studying a short course
• getting medical treatment
• travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference
• journalism or other media activities

Check the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting to find out what you can and cannot do during your stay.

These rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland .

Travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period

You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on whether or not it’s in the Schengen area.

The countries in the Schengen area are:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

To work out if your stay is within the 90 day limit, use the following steps.

Check the date you plan to leave the Schengen area on your next trip.

Count back 180 days from that date to get the start of the 180-day period.

Add up the number of days you have already spent in the Schengen area in that 180-day period (you can use the dates stamped in your passport showing when you entered and left a country).

Work out how many days you will spend in the Schengen area on your next trip. Add this number to the number of days you worked out in step 3.

Check that the total number of days is not more than 90.

Travelling to EU countries that are not in the Schengen area

Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not in the Schengen area. You can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in each of these countries without a visa.

Any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in these countries.

When you may need a visa

​​You may need a visa or permit if you want to either:

• stay for more than 90 days

If you’re travelling for work, check the rules for the country you’re visiting .

If you’re travelling for another reason or staying longer than 90 days, check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting .

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Europe On Your Mind? New Schengen Visa Rules Boost Travel Insurance Among Indian Travellers

Reported By : Namit Singh Sengar

Last Updated: May 01, 2024, 15:59 IST

New Delhi, India

With a single Schengen visa, you can visit all the Schengen Area countries. You don't need a separate visa for each country. (Representative image)

A Schengen visa is a permit that allows you to travel throughout the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries

The revised Schengen visa regulations, offering frequent Indian travellers the opportunity to obtain multi-year visas spanning up to 5 years, are poised to bolster outbound travel from India to European destinations. Also, this will lead to a gradual increase in European travellers booking long-term travel insurance.

A Schengen visa is a permit that allows you to travel throughout the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries that have gotten rid of most of their border controls.

Also Read: Affordable Health Insurance Sees High Demand, Employer Policies Not Sufficient: Report

With a single Schengen visa, you can visit all the Schengen Area countries. You don’t need a separate visa for each country.

Under the recently implemented visa cascade system for India, Indian citizens are eligible to receive extended multi-entry Schengen visas lasting for two years, following the lawful utilisation of two visas within the preceding three years.

Throughout these visas’ validity, individuals from India can enter and exit Schengen countries on multiple occasions without requiring additional visas.

Travel Insurance Gets Boost

According to the latest data shared by Policybazaar, there is already a 3-4% increase in users booking travel insurance policies exceeding 45 days in April 2024, a trend expected to rise further due to the relaxed visa norms.

The insurance marketplace also shared that Schengen destinations also see a 100% jump in senior citizen travellers and a notable uptake in travellers declaring pre-existing diseases.

According to Policybazaar’s data, a whopping 82% of Indian travellers are drawn to destinations like France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain in the upcoming season.

Policybazaar’s data indicated that travellers to Schengen destinations aged 70 and above have doubled in number since FY23. Interestingly, the proportion of Indian travellers aged 31-45 visiting Schengen countries has also increased compared to last year.

Not just this, this year also saw a notable 15% increase in travellers declaring pre-existing conditions (like Diabetes, Hypertension, etc) when travelling to Europe as compared to last year.

Also, this year, the travellers have shown a remarkable interest in selecting appropriate add-ons for their travel insurance. Riders covering baggage or belongings loss, trip cancellation, adventure sports coverage, and pre-existing disease (PED) coverage emerged as the most sought-after add-ons for travel insurance.

Another intriguing trend noticed was a 40% drop in users buying travel insurance in Euros, which can be attributed to the fact that embassies now accept coverage in dollars. This trend indicates a growing level of consumer awareness and knowledge.

Meanwhile, Europe’s embrace of the more advantageous visa regulations arrives just as the summer holiday season approaches, promising to stimulate the flow of Indian travellers to these destinations.

• Travel Insurance

• Business News
• India Business News

Applying for Europe travel visa? No immediate benefit of new Schengen visa rules likely for Indians; long appointment wait times continue

About the Author

The TOI Business Desk is a vigilant and dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant business news from around the world to readers of The Times of India. The primary focus of the TOI Business Desk is to keep a watchful eye on the global business landscape, covering a wide spectrum of industries, markets, economic trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact businesses and economies. With a mission to provide valuable insights and updates, the desk ensures that TOI readers are well-informed about the ever-changing and dynamic world of commerce and can navigate the complexities of the business world. Read More

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