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Schengen Visa Appointment

TeamAckoSept 30, 2024

Wondering about visiting a Schengen area for your international trip? Awesome! Before booking a Schengen visa appointment, you must know every detail about it, right? So, first, let's talk about what a Schengen visa is. Well, it is an official document, a mandatory requirement for Indians to visit a Schengen country or a country that comes under the jurisdiction of the Schengen Area.

29 countries come under this jurisdiction and are known as the Schengen Area. Hence, Indians must have a Schengen visa to visit one of those countries for any purpose . This includes securing travel insurance for Schengen visa, which is often a prerequisite for the application process.

However, you must complete the entire visa application process, which also involves an interview. In this blog, we have compiled everything you need to know about booking a Schengen visa appointment, including its fees, application process, required documents, and other essential details.

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Contents

What is the Purpose of the Schengen Visa Appointment?
What are the Documents Required for Schengen Visa Appointment?
How to Schedule a Schengen Visa Appointment?
Can I Reschedule My Schengen Visa Appointment?
Which are the Locations Available in India for Schengen Visa Appointments?
Final Words
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Purpose of the Schengen Visa Appointment?

A Schengen visa appointment is intended for meaningful communication between the applicant and a visa official of the country that belongs to the Schengen Area. The representative of the diplomatic country indulges in asking in-depth questions to ensure that the applicant is worthy of getting a Schengen visa.

Hence, you can be asked numerous questions to check the authenticity of the documents that you have provided in the process. The interview is also intended to ensure the applicant is not a threat to the country and is not prone to illegal activities within the Schengen Area.

One of the key purposes of a Schengen visa interview appointment is to check the sense of answerability of the applicant, the number of languages known and other details, such as financial aspects, to ensure that he is capable of communicating and surviving within the Schengen Area. Also, the visa officials, during the interview, make sure that the details entered by the applicant are true and valid and that no illegality or discrepancy is involved in the documents.

Hence, it is always advisable to be present at the application centre for your interview with all the necessary documents as required. You can also consider reaching the centre at least 15 minutes earlier to save time for practicing answers.

What are the Documents Required for Schengen Visa Appointment?

You need to bring a few essential documents with you to the application centre on your Schengen visa appointment day. However, such requirements can vary based on the purpose of the visit and the type of visa you are applying for.

Documents Required for All Types of Schengen Visa Appointments

The documents necessary to show during Schengen visa application appointments are as follows.

You must have a valid Indian passport, which should be valid up to a minimum of 6 months after you visit the Schengen country, with a minimum of three blank pages for visa stamps.
A duly filled Schengen visa appointment application form.
Return flight tickets.
A cover letter mentioning all your travel details for the entire stay in the country.
Supporting documents to prove your stay in the country.
Travel insurance documents.

Documents Required for Tourist Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen tourist visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

Bank statements for the last six months.
Supporting documents to show your entry and exit dates from the Schengen Area.
Proof of your accommodation in the Schengen Area.
Travel itinerary, mentioning the requirement of visiting the Schengen country once.

Documents Required for Business Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen business visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

Your company's bank statements for the last six months.
Original certified copies of your company’s registered articles of incorporation and memorandum.
Invitation letter from the company located in the Schengen Area with whom you would engage in business, stating the dates of your entry and exit from the country.
Original trade licence copy with the most recent renewal.
If your company pays for your journey, a letter from your employer is required confirming the same.
Supporting documents to show a valid reason to visit the Schengen country twice or multiple times in case of a double-entry or multi-entry visa business visa.

Documents Required for Visitor Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen visitor visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

Bank statements for the last six months.
If someone else is paying for your stay in the country, their last three months' bank statements and tax payment receipts are required.

Documents Required for Study Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen study visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

Supporting documents to show your enrollment in an educational institution in the Schengen Area.
NOC or No Objection Certificate, from your existing school, college or university.

Documents Required for Medical Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen medical visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

A medical report from an authorised medical practitioner of India, stating that you need medical treatment in the Schengen Area.
Supporting documents to show you can financially afford medical treatments in the Schengen Area.
A medical certificate from a hospital located in the Schengen Area confirming your appointment.

Documents Required for Transit Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen transit visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

Airline tickets to the Schengen Area or a country in the Schengen Area where you will visit through the Schengen Area.

Documents Required for Film, Crew, Sports and Cultural Visa

If you have applied for a Schengen film, crew, sports and cultural visa and are going to your visa appointment, make sure to carry the following documents.

Supporting documents stating the terms and conditions of the event you are supposed to attend in the Schengen Area.
Documents mentioning the schedule of the event in the Schengen Area.
Entry ticket to the Schengen Area event.
Identity proofs of the crew members.
Invitation letter from the event of the Schengen Area, stating the detailed schedule of the event.

Photograph Requirements for All Types of Schengen Visa Appointments for Indians

Here are the photograph requirements you need to consider when applying for a Schengen visa appointment:

Two identical passport-size photographs taken within the last 6 months of your visa application.
80% of your face should be visible, showing your eyes and ears clearly without wearing any glasses or any religious headgear.
Coloured passport-size photo with a white background.
Your clothing in the photograph should not match the background.
Dimensions of the photo should be 35mm in width x 45 mm in height.

How to Schedule a Schengen Visa Appointment?

Once you identify the type of visa you wish to apply for, you need to download the Schengen visa application form online. You need to fill it out and take a printout of it, since handwritten forms are not allowed.

You will have to submit the printed copy of the visa application form in person at the application centre. You must visit the centre in person since they do not receive forms via post. You can also send the form through an authorised travel agent.

At this stage, you need to proceed with your Schengen visa appointment in person, following the given steps:

Step 1: Book an appointment at your nearest application centre for biometrics information and a visa interview from the official website of the application centre or by contacting them for the same.

Step 2: Log in with your credentials and click “Schedule Appointment” or “Biometric Appointment.”

Step 3: Fill in the required details as asked.

Step 4: Select the date and appointment slot after carefully ensuring your availability and click on "Submit.”

Can I Reschedule My Schengen Visa Appointment?

Yes, you can reschedule your Schengen visa appointment. The system does not allow you to reschedule your visa appointment if you miss it on its due date. In such scenarios, you need to opt for a fresh visa appointment with a new date.

Besides, the system will only allow you to reschedule your Schengen visa appointment for two times. If you do not manage to be present on the two rescheduled dates, it will be considered cancelled. You need to apply for a fresh visa appointment in these cases as well.

Also, it is important to note that the fee that is charged for booking a Schengen visa appointment is a non-refundable one. It means you will not get the appointment fee refunded if you cancel or reschedule your Schengen visa appointment. Each time you reschedule or opt for a fresh appointment, you will be charged an appointment fee.

Hence, it is desirable to be cautious while booking a visa appointment. You must ensure your availability before opting for one.

Which are the Locations Available in India for Schengen Visa Appointments?

There are several application centres available for Schengen visa applications in India. Hence, if you would like to apply for a Schengen visa from India, you can choose any of the available locations in the country, such as the following:

Location	Operational Days	Operational Hours
Pune	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Puducherry	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
New Delhi	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mumbai	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Kolkata	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Jalandhar	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Jaipur	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hyderabad	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Gurugram	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Goa	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Coimbatore	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cochin	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Chennai	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Chandigarh	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bhutan	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bangalore	Monday to Friday	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ahmedabad	Monday to Friday	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please note that in case of any query related to the Schengen visa, you can contact the nearest application centre by visiting its official website or in person.

Final Words

Overall, you can have a hassle-free international trip to a Schengen country with a better understanding of a Schengen visa appointment and details related to it. Make sure to apply for the interview well in advance of your due date to avoid any unnecessary delays or risks of rejection. And ensure to research the common interview questions to prepare yourself better. Moreover, always remember to refer to the guidelines mentioned in the article whenever you opt for a Schengen visa appointment.

Looking for friendly advice? Go for travel insurance if you wish to visit a Schengen country. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement to enter the Schengen Area, through which you can get financial coverage for any unforeseen circumstances like loss of baggage, items, passport, medical emergencies while travelling, etc.

So, go for travel insurance and plan your stress-free trip to the Schengen area by following our mentioned guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Given below are some of the commonly asked questions about a Schengen visa appointment.

Is it possible to cancel a Schengen visa appointment?

No, cancellation of visa appointments is not possible. You are only allowed to reschedule your Schengen visa appointment a maximum of two times. If you are not able to be present on the two rescheduled appointment dates, your interview appointment will be considered cancelled. However, please note that the appointment fee will not be refunded if it gets cancelled or rescheduled.

Will I get a refund if my Schengen visa application is rejected?

No, the Schengen visa fee is non-refundable, and hence you will not get a refund if your application is rejected on any grounds.

Is it mandatory to opt for travel insurance to visit the Schengen Area?

Yes, it is mandatory to buy travel insurance if you wish to visit any country that comes under the jurisdiction of the Schengen Area. Travel insurance acts as financial protection for unforeseen circumstances such as loss of baggage, passport, cancellation of flight tickets, etc.

How can I get the desired slot for a visa appointment for a Schengen visa?

Slots are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis for a Schengen visa interview. So if you wish to have a successful Schengen visa slot booking, you need to apply for the same well in advance.

How long does a Schengen tourist visa appointment last?

A Schengen tourist interview can last from 5 to 10 minutes. It is because, on a tourist visa, you will visit a Schengen country only to travel and explore. So the visa official will ensure the necessary factors, such as our travel insurance, accommodation etc., are fulfilled in your documents.

Can I track the status of my Schengen visa application?

Yes, you can track the status of your Schengen visa application after your interview by visiting the official website of the Schengen visa application centre. You can see the status once you log in with the credentials for your visa application.

How early should I book a Schengen visa appointment?

You should apply for a Schengen visa appointment well in advance to book your desired slot. So, after ensuring your availability, you can book your visa appointment for a Schengen visa at least two to three months before your due travel date.