6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Schengen Visa
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Ready to trade the chaos of Indian traffic for Europe’s wondrous, trust-based, conductor-free public transport? Transform into tireless crusaders of tourism prepared to walk 25,000 steps on cobblestoned streets in sandals? Set foot into a world where speaking English is more taboo than cutting in line, and where bad accents are forgiven more readily than bad manners. Here, scanners have no place at metro stations, bright sunshine seeks you till late evening and caffes and croissants magically appear in your hands throughout the day. If that sounds like your dream Euro-trip, there's just one thing standing between you and adventure: the Schengen tourist visa.
Schengen visa application is the great equaliser that evaluates frequent travellers and first-timers with the same lens of suspicion. Applying for a Schengen visa might seem daunting at first, but while the process is straightforward, it can be a bit time-consuming. Travelers often need to navigate several steps, and though it might feel overwhelming for first-timers, once you’ve secured your first visa, the entire process becomes much easier to understand.
Personally, I have applied for my Short Stay Schengen visa 5 times for different trips, and have received all of them - without any hiccups or requiring any support from a travel agent. The key to success? The importance of preparing your documents well in advance and organising them neatly in a folder cannot be overstated.
However, I’ve noticed that many travelers make common mistakes that often lead to rejections. To help you avoid those pitfalls, here are some tips, based on my experience, to ensure your Schengen visa is approved on your first try.
But first, here’s a quick introduction to the Schengen visa and when you need to apply for it.
Which countries accept the Schengen visa
How long is the Schengen visa valid for?
Where to apply for Schenge visa?
How long does it take to process Schengen visa?
What is the Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa is a travel permit for travelling seamlessly between 29 European countries, members and non-members of the European Union. A visa issued by any of the member countries automatically grants you a permit to travel to other Schengen countries without applying separately to each. For tourists, a Short Stay Schengen visa is issued which can be single-entry (enter the Schengen region once for upto 90 days during the validity of your visa), multiple-entry (enter and exit the Schengen region multiple times during the validity of your visa) or a transit visa (used to transit through the Schengen region for connecting flights but does not allow you to leave the airport.
Which countries accept the Schengen visa?
Here’s a complete list of the 29 European countries that issue and accept the Schengen visa for seamless travel across their borders: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Apart from these, four microstates—Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City—are also considered de facto members of the Schengen Area.
How long is the Schengen visa valid for?
The dates for which your visa is valid is mentioned on the document. For first-time travellers, it is possible that you may get a visa for your exact travel dates only. In other cases, you may also be issued a Schengen visa that permits stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The details will be mentioned clearly on your visa once you receive it.
Where to apply for a Schengen visa?
VFS Global is the authorised representative to facilitate Schengen visa applications in India. The website offers detailed documents, guides and checklists for travellers to follow. I have found the call-centre to be helpful and well-equipped in incase of questions, just don’t expect them to magically bump up your appointment slot.
In India, VFS centres are located in Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Pondicherry, Hyderabad, Kochi and Trivandrum.
You can book an appointment at any of these centres to apply to the embassy of the Schengen country you’re visiting. Incase you’re travelling to multiple countries in the same trip, you can apply to the country that is your first point of entry to the Schengen region or the country in which you are planning to stay the longest. You can start applying through the VFS website here.
How long does it take to process your Schengen visa application?
Typically, your Schengen visa application can take 14 to 45 days to get processed so get your visa appointment at VFS Global atleast 2-3 months in advance. However, it is not possible to apply for a Schengen visa more than 6 months prior to the date of travel.
Mistakes to avoid when applying for Schengen visa from India
Some of the common mistakes people make include not booking the right appointment slot, getting the picture specifications wrong and sometimes even risking applying with fake documents. Here are my top tips to ensure that your visa is approved:
#1 Secure the First Available Schengen Visa Appointment & Reschedule for Your Ideal Date
Booking a Schengen visa appointment can feel like a race against time, especially if you're planning to travel during peak season. If the only available appointment is weeks (or even months) away, don’t panic or adjust your travel plans just yet!
Here’s a tried and tested trick: book the first available appointment, even if it’s too close to your departure. Once you’ve confirmed your booking with payment, you'll gain access to a wider range of appointment dates. VFS frequently releases new slots, sometimes even for the next day. The key is persistence—check for updates several times a day.
You can reschedule your appointment multiple times at no extra cost until you find the perfect time slot. Remember, there’s no magic trick to guarantee the exact date you want, but with patience and consistent tracking, you’ll likely secure a more convenient option.
#2 Make a List, Print it Out, and Check it Twice
VFS continues to favour the good old-fashioned method of submitting documents and paperwork as part of your Schengen visa application. To navigate this paperwork-heavy process smoothly, it’s best to play by their rules. Start by printing out the complete list of required documents, which you’ll find on both the Embassy page and the VFS website for the country you’re applying to.
This is a very simple but important tip –having all your documents in place significantly reduces chances of your visa getting rejected. As you print each document, tick it off your list and add it to your application folder. Bonus: VFS conducts a thorough document check before submission, so you don’t end up wasting precious time in case something’s missing.
#3 Get it right with flight tickets
Two magic words for booking your flight tickets - 100% refundable. Incase your Schengen visa gets delayed or needs more paperwork then refundable tickets or tickets with the option to change dates will give you the flexibility to make changes without cancelling your tickets and losing money.
Bonus: I have seen some applications getting rejected because travel agents booked fake tickets in the system which get auto-cancelled in a few days. Embassies are quick to spot these and it invariably leads to visa rejection. As tempting as it may be, don’t pay heed to your travel agent’s advice on this on - go ahead and book refundable tickets.
Make sure you book a roundtrip, the Embassy always likes to know that you have plans of coming back to your home country.
# 4 Wrong pictures? There’s a quick fix
Your Schengen visa photo isn't the same as your passport photo! Each country has its own visa photo specifications, so don’t assume one set of photos will work everywhere. Make sure you check the latest requirements on the VFS or Embassy page for the country you're applying to. Share these details with your photographer to ensure they get the size and proportions right.
But, if you still end up with the wrong photo, don’t panic! VFS centers often have in-house photo studios where you can get your visa picture taken and printed within 30 minutes (depending on the queue). While it might cost a bit more than an outside studio and take some time, it saves you the hassle of rescheduling your visa appointment. Plus, the VFS staff is super helpful—they’ll put your application on hold while you dash to get your photo fixed.
#5 Avoid these common mistakes with your documents
If I had a Euro for every time people made these common mistakes, I’d be packing for another Europe trip! Here are three major pitfalls to avoid when submitting your paperwork:
First, make sure your bank statements are attested by an authorized bank employee. This simple step is often overlooked, but it only takes a few minutes and is essential for your visa application.
Second, Schengen visa application forms vary from country to country. Always download the latest form from the VFS or Embassy page. And if you’re unsure about any section, leave it blank! A VFS representative will guide you when submitting your application.
Third, Schengen visa applications require an NOC from your employer. Make sure you submit a request to your HR in advance to avoid any delays at their end.
#6 Pull out all the stops – show the Embassy you have strong reasons to return
A big green flag for Schengen visa applications is demonstrating sound financial viability which signals your commitment to returning to India. Factors like having a stable job, owning assets like a house or any other property, good investments – all of these provide a strong fillip to your application. Even if the documents checklist does not explicitly ask for these, go ahead and attach copies. It will only help strengthen your case.
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