Schengen Visa Document Checklist for Indians

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Before you apply

Decide the country to apply toThe country where you spend the most nights. If nights are equal, the country you enter first.
Check your travel dates against the 90/180-day ruleA short-stay visa allows up to 90 days in any 180 days across the whole Schengen area.
Book the visa centre appointmentSlots go fast in season. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 days before.

Passport and photos

Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen areaIssued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages.
Copies of every used passport page and old visasInclude previous Schengen visas, UK, US and other visas: they show a travel record.
2 recent passport photos (35 x 45 mm, white background)Taken within the last 6 months, no glasses, face fully visible.

Application form

Completed Schengen visa application form, printed and signedUse the online form of the country you apply to (many generate a barcode). Sign it on the last page.
Signed cover letterPurpose of the trip, dates, cities in order, who pays, and the date you return to India.
Visa fee in the accepted payment methodEUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for ages 6 to 11, free under 6, plus the visa centre service fee.

Trip proof

Round-trip flight reservationA reservation with your dates, not necessarily a paid ticket. Cancel-for-free bookings are common.
Day-by-day itineraryIt must match your flights, hotels and cover letter. Our itineraries are a starting point.
Hotel bookings for the whole stayNames, dates and booking numbers. If staying with family or friends: invitation letter and a copy of their residence permit.
Inter-city transport plan (optional)Train or flight bookings between cities support a multi-country plan.

Money and ties to India

Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 monthsStamped by the bank and showing regular income. Avoid large unexplained deposits just before applying.
Income tax returns (ITR) for the last 2 to 3 yearsWith the computation and acknowledgement. Form 16 for salaried applicants.
Last 3 months of salary slipsFor salaried applicants.
Employer letter and leave approvalOn company letterhead: your role, salary, joining date and the approved leave dates (an NOC).
Proof of home and family tiesProperty papers, a family certificate, or other proof that you return to India.

Travel insurance

Travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverValid in all Schengen countries for the full stay, including medical repatriation and emergency care.

If this applies to you

Self-employed or business owner: business registration, GST returns, business bank statementsPlus your ITR and a letter from your chartered accountant if asked.
Student: bonafide certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or collegePlus parents' income documents if they pay.
Retired: pension statement and recent bank statements
Children: birth certificate, both parents' consent and copies of their IDsIf one parent travels alone, a notarised consent letter from the other parent.
Someone else is paying: sponsor letter and sponsor's bank statements and ITRWith proof of your relationship.

Appointment day

Original documents and one set of photocopiesArrange them in the order of the consulate's list; staple loose pages.
Appointment confirmation and passportArrive 15 minutes early. Phones and bags may need to be left outside.
Be ready for fingerprintsBiometrics are taken at the centre and are valid for 59 months for repeat applications.
Keep your tracking numberUse it to follow the application and to arrange passport return.

After you get the visa

Check the visa stickerName, dates, number of entries and the number of days. Report a mistake before you travel.
Carry printed copiesPassport, visa, insurance, hotel bookings, return flight and the cover letter.
Expect a face scan and fingerprints at the borderThe EU Entry/Exit System records every entry and exit instead of stamping passports.

What applicants say about the papers

Real experiences from Indian applicants on Reddit. They show how it went for them; your own case can differ.

Fu/Frosty_Olive_6376r/SchengenVisa

“I got the same 3 months multi entry Schengen visa, with only 7 lakhs in account for me and dependent wife. Funds don't matter much if your profile is strong.”

Reddit · Sep 2026

Su/somemoreporridger/SchengenVisa

“What matters is that you have enough money for both of you. Money in account matters the most.”

On an Italy Schengen application, bank funds mattered more than notarised sponsorship letters.Reddit · Sep 2026

Tu/tiinnr/SchengenVisa

“2.1l INR is around 1900€. In my opinion that’s far too less for 2 people for 10 days.”

For a 10-day trip to Switzerland for two people.Reddit · Sep 2026

Your ticks are kept on this device (and in the page address, so a bookmark or the copied link restores them). Each embassy publishes its own list: use this one to get organised, then compare it with the list of the country you apply to.

Rules and fees change and each embassy sets its own document list. This page is a guide, not legal advice: always confirm on the website of the embassy or visa centre you apply through.