Schengen Visa Fees for Indians

The fees and charges for Schengen Visa are as follows: 

Note: Children below six years above are exempt from paying visa application fee. The fees given above are subject to change as per the changing guidelines.  

Do any Indian applicants have any exemptions from Schengen Visa fees?

Besides Indian children under the age of six years, these Indian visa applicants are also exempted from paying the Schengen visa fee:

1. Official/ Diplomatic Passport: If you are an Indian holding diplomatic, official, or service passport, visiting Schengen area for official reasons, then you are exempt from paying the fees. 

1. Family Members from EEA/EU: If you are a family member of EEA/EU citizens, then you are not required to pay the visa fee. This makes family meetings easier. 

1. Students/ Researchers: If you are a student visiting the Schengen area to complete a course or training, then you are exempt from paying visa fees. Even researchers visiting the area for research purposes are exempt from paying the visa fees. 

1. Charitable and Educational Participants: If you are participating in any educational, cultural, sports, or charitable events organised by non-profit organisations, then you are also exempt from paying the visa fees. 

Do Indian Applicants Have to Pay Any Extra Charges?

If you are applying for a Schengen visa through a private visa agency, then you may end up paying more. Such agencies  will arrange your appointment and present your documents to the Schengen embassy or consulate. Therefore, you might have to pay extra for each application. You might not be able to avoid these extra costs because many Indian embassies or consulates will refuse visa applications unless they are submitted through a designated agency.

Who Is Eligible to Obtain a Schengen Visa?

You must fall under one of the following categories to apply for a visa at one of India's visa application centres (VACs) or Schengen embassies/consulates:

1. Individuals holding Indian passports
2. Individuals with a permanent or temporary residence permit in India who are citizens of third-world countries and need a visa to enter Europe

Where to Apply for a Schengen Visa

Submission of documents is not permitted at any embassy or consulate of a Schengen nation. According to the regulations governing the Schengen region, based on the number of countries you visit and the number of days you spend in each of them, you must apply for a Schengen at any of the following locations:

1. Apply for a visa at the Schengen country's embassy, consulate, or visa centre in India if you are planning to visit one of those countries.
2. If you want to visit more than one Schengen country, you will have to apply depending on how many days you intend to spend in each one of them:
   1. Apply to the organisation in charge of submitting visa requests for the country you plan to visit first if you wish to spend an equal number of days in two or more different countries.
   2. Apply to the organisation in charge of submitting visa requests in the country you want to visit if you wish to spend more days if you are going to stay for unequal numbers of days.

Reasons for Denial of Schengen Visa

Some of the reasons which can lead to rejection Schengen visa application are as follows:

1. The Schengen security risks are violated by the applicant’s criminal history.
2. The application form has inaccurate/false information.
3. The application does not include some important documentation.
4. The applicant lacks the financial resources to support their travel to the Schengen area.

You must carefully follow the embassy or consulate's instructions when submitting your Schengen visa application in order to reduce the likelihood that it will be rejected.

What Should You Do When Your Schengen Visa Application Is Rejected?

After your Schengen visa application is rejected, a notice outlining the reason for the rejection will be issued to you. Following that, you can take one of the following actions:

1. The decision should be challenged at the consular level.
2. The decision can be appealed to a higher legal body in the corresponding Schengen country such as an administrative court or a Foreign Ministry.

You need to file a complaint to the embassy/consulate within 30 days of receiving your rejection notice. Only after that, you will be able to proceed with legal action if the embassy still denies your request for a visa after receiving your complaint. Keep in mind that if your first application for a Schengen visa is denied, you can always reapply without sending a formal complaint or pursuing further legal action.

Points to Remember when Applying for a Schengen Visa

Schengen visa application is a lengthy procedure, and it is common for visas to get rejected. However, a few simple tips can help you avoid common mistakes and ensure a successful visa application: 

1. Ensure that your passport has at least six months of validity when applying for a Schengen visa.  

1. Ensure that your passport has sufficient number of blank pages. 

1. Submit duly filled forms with accurate details and documents to avoid any delay in visa processing. 

1. It is essential that you apply to the correct embassy or visa centre depending on your travel itinerary (longest stay or first entry). 

1. Ensure that you have sufficient funds in your bank account to support your stay in the Schengen area. 

1. Book flights and tickets well in advance, and as per the embassy’s requirement to avoid visa rejection. 

1. Pay the visa fee as soon as you submit the application. Do note that this visa fee is non-refundable even if your visa is rejected. 

1. Book your visa appointment well in advance to avoid any delays during the peak season. 

1. Ensure that you have travel medical insurance covering the entire Schengen Area during your full stay duration.