4 Tips To Fast-Track Your Schengen Visa Process

In recent years, Europe has become a premier tourist destination for the people of India. It has also grown the demand for a Schengen visa among Indian passport holders. As the Schengen area comprises of 26 countries, the visa allows people to move freely within these states.

Countries under Schengen Area

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

The areas function as a single unit to maintain international travel with a standard policy for visa. A complete documentation procedure is followed for Indian tourists who want to acquire the permit to enter Europe. One of the essential documents is travel insurance for Schengen Visa.

Getting a Schengen visa is not a difficult task if your documentation is correct. Here are some tips to be followed to fast-track your Schengen Visa process:

1. Keep all documents handy

• Visa Application Form

Take out a print of the visa application form and fill it correctly. Keep the copy with yourself along with other documents while visiting the embassy.

• Valid Indian Passport

Your passport should not be older than ten years and must have a validity of more than three months for it to be acceptable for Schengen Visa.

• ID Proof

Keep all your identity documents handy like Aadhar card, PAN card, Voter ID. It is to ensure you are a legal Indian citizen.

• Letter for Visit with Flight Itinerary Reservations

• Accommodation Proof

Accommodation proof is a mandatory document to fast-track the Schengen visa application process. It should state the details where you will stay in the Schengen area during your travel.

• Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa

Travel insurance for Schengen visa is essential to fast-track the process. You can either book it online or through a travel insurance agency while meeting mandatory requirements. Travel insurance for Schengen visa must have a medical cover of 30,000 Euro, which also covers medical emergencies and repatriation.

You can buy travel insurance for Schengen visa online from reputable companies like Tata AIG that offer various benefits along with a comprehensive cover. It will cover you against the delayed flights, baggage loss, and various medical needs.

• Financial Status Proof

Financial proofs will vary according to your occupational status. If you are employed, you have to submit a 6-months online bank statement, employment contract, ITR, and leave permission from your employer. For a student, you must submit a NOC from your school or university and your proof of enrolment. If you are retired personnel, you have to provide evidence of the latest 6-months bank statement of your pension account.

Keep all your documents ready, especially travel insurance for Schengen visa. These documents will only help you fast-track the process.

2. Prior submission of application

It is imperative to apply for the visa in advance to have enough time for all the processes. Once you have decided on the dates of visiting the Schengen area, you should apply for the visa at least 15 to 20 working days before it. It will give you enough time for all the procedures that you need to follow for your visa approval.

3. Know your type of Schengen Visa

There are three types of Schengen Visas available for tourists across the globe, namely – Uniform Schengen Visa (USV), Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV), National Visa. The Type-C under these categories will allow you to choose according to your purpose of travel. If you know about it beforehand, the application process will also become easy and quick, thereby fast-tracking it.

4. Research before applying

Whenever you are applying for a visa, you should do thorough online research beforehand to get a better idea of the list of documents and processes. There are some list of document to get travel insurance for Schengen visa that are mandatory. Proper research will help you understand the requirements.