Schengen visa documents checklist for Indian applicants
A Schengen application from India needs your passport, form, photos, travel insurance with €30,000[source] cover, verifiable flight and hotel reservations, an itinerary, a cover letter and financial evidence. Each consulate publishes its own list, so always check your destination's checklist too.
Core documents for everyone
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages
- Old passports with previous visas
- Application form, completed and signed
- Two photos, 35 x 45 mm, white background, recent
- Cover letter: who you are, why you are travelling, dates, places, who pays, and why you will return
- Itinerary, day by day, matching your bookings
- Flight reservation, return, verifiable
- Accommodation: hotel bookings for every night, or an invitation from your host with their address
- Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000[source] for emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries for your whole trip
Financial documents
- Personal bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months, stamped or digitally verified
- Income tax returns (ITR-V) for the last 2 to 3 years
- Proof of other savings: fixed deposits, mutual funds
By profile
Salaried
- Employment letter with designation, salary, joining date and approved leave
- Salary slips for the last 3 months
Self-employed
- Business registration documents (GST certificate, Udyam, partnership deed, company incorporation)
- Business bank statements for 6 months
- Business ITRs
Retired
- Pension statements or proof of retirement
Students
- Bonafide certificate and leave letter or NOC from the institution
- Sponsor's financial documents and a sponsorship letter
Minors
- Birth certificate
- Parental consent (both parents) and copies of their passports
Visiting family or friends
- Invitation letter from your host
- Copy of host's passport or residence permit
- Formal invitation or guarantee document where the destination country requires one (for example, some countries use an official host declaration form)
Business trips
- Invitation letter from the company you are visiting
- Letter from your employer explaining the purpose and confirming who pays
Start your application with a clear plan
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Frequently asked questions
How many months of bank statements are needed for a Schengen visa?
Most consulates in India ask for the last 3 to 6 months. Check your destination's checklist. Six months with a steady pattern is the safest.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Schengen?
Yes. It must cover at least €30,000 for emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation, across all Schengen states, for your whole stay.
Do I need hotel bookings for every night?
Yes, you need to show accommodation for your entire stay, either through bookings or an invitation from a host.