Planing for Europe Tours need Schengen Visa Assistance

Schengen Visa from Hyderabad, India — IATA-Certified Travel Agents for France, Germany, Italy, Spain & Beyond

15+ years processing Schengen visas for Indian travellers. 95%+ first-time approval rate. Serving applicants from Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune.

The Schengen visa lets Indian passport holders travel across 29 European countries with one document — Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, and 23 more. We’re a Banjara Hills travel agency, accredited by IATA and registered as a visa consultant under the Ministry of Tourism of India, with an in-house Schengen team that has filed thousands of applications since 2011. We handle eligibility review, document preparation, VFS appointment booking, consular-grade itineraries, travel insurance, cover letters, and re-applications after refusal. Free 15-minute eligibility check before you pay anything.

Trusted by Global Organizations

IATA Accredited
Ministry of Tourism of India
Ministry of Hajj & Umrah (KSA)
TAAI Member
Google 4.9 ★
TripAdvisor Verified
Incredible India
IATA Accredited
Ministry of Tourism of India
Ministry of Hajj & Umrah (KSA)
TAAI Member
Google 4.9 ★
TripAdvisor Verified
Incredible India

What is Schengen Visa? Schengen Visa from India — Quick Facts (2026)

Here’s a factual snapshot of what the Schengen visa is, who it’s for, what it costs, and how long it takes — current as of May 2026. If you want one-line answers before reading the full guide, this section has them. Complete Schengen documents checklist for Download for Indian travelers.

Quick-facts table:

What it isA short-stay visa allowing travel across 29 European countries with a single document
Number of Schengen countries (2026)(2026)29 — including Bulgaria and Romania (joined 2024) and Croatia (joined 2023)
Maximum stay90 days within any 180-day rolling period
Visa fee (2026)€90 (~₹8,500) for adults · €45 (~₹4,250) for children 6–11 · Free for children under 6
VFS service charge~₹2,000–₹2,500 (varies by country)
IMAD service feeStarts at ₹3,500 per applicant
Total cost (typical)~₹19,500 per person all-inclusive
Processing time15 working days standard · up to 45 days in peak season (May–August)
Apply when6 weeks to 6 months before travel (max 6 months in advance, min 15 days)
Where to applyVFS Global Hyderabad (1.2 km from our office)
Insurance requiredTravel insurance covering minimum €30,000 medical
ValiditySingle-entry, multiple-entry (3 months / 1 / 2 / 3 / 5 years) — depends on your travel history
Indian passport requirementMinimum 6 months validity beyond return date · 2+ blank pages
First-time approval rate (IMAD clients, 2025)95%+ for cases we accept
For Indian applicants in 2026, the Schengen countries with the highest first-time approval rates are France, Spain, Iceland, Lithuania, and Greece. These consulates approve over 88% of Indian tourist visa applications when documentation is strong. The “hardest” Schengen countries are Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium — not because their decisions are arbitrary, but because they require denser financial documentation and have a lower tolerance for ambiguous travel purposes.

The 5 easiest Schengen countries for Indian travellers (2026)

#CountryWhy it's easierBest for
1FranceLargest consular bandwidth in India, fastest-processing standard slots, Indian-friendlyFirst-time applicants, families
2SpainGenerous interpretation of "tourist purpose," strong Indian volumeHoneymoon couples, multi-city Europe trips
3IcelandVery low rejection rate for Indians (~3-5%), small consular workloadAdventure travellers, photographers, Northern Lights trips
4Lithuania / Latvia / EstoniaLatvia / EstoniaBaltic consulates approve quickly, less scrutiny on first applicationsSolo travellers, business visits, multi-country routings
5GreeceTourism-friendly consular policy, fast slot availabilityCruise passengers, island-hopping itineraries

The 3 hardest Schengen countries for Indian applicants

#CountryWhy it's harder
1GermanyDemands very specific financial documentation; strict on "ties to home country"
2SwitzerlandSmallest consular team in India; longest waits; high documentation bar
3BelgiumVery strict on travel purpose; low tolerance for vague itineraries

“Easiest” depends on YOUR profile, not just the country. A Bangalore IT professional with a strong salary, ITRs, and prior US/UK travel will be approved by Germany without trouble. A first-time international traveller from a tier-2 city without strong financial documents may struggle with even France. There’s no universal “easiest” — there’s the country that’s easiest for you. We figure that out in the free 15-minute eligibility check before you pay anything.

Apply-from-the-easiest-country trick (Schengen first-entry rule):

Schengen rules require you to apply at the consulate of the country where you’ll spend the most time, OR the country you enter first if time is split equally. You can’t apply for a French visa just because France is easier and then fly into Germany. Plan your itinerary around the consulate you want to apply to — that’s a strategy, not a hack.

Want to know which Schengen country gives YOU the best approval odds? WhatsApp +91 70752 02850 with your destination, dates, and a 1-line description of your work and previous travel. Free 15-minute eligibility check, no payment up front.

Most “Schengen visa agents” file your application and disappear. We do the four things that actually move the needle: pre-screen the case before you pay, prepare consular-grade documentation, book and hold your VFS slot, and stand behind the application if it gets refused. Here’s exactly what that looks like.

Honest pre-screening before you pay anything.

A weak case is a wasted ₹19,500 in fees AND a black mark on your passport that hurts the next attempt. We do a free 15-minute eligibility review covering your purpose, financials, prior travel history, and ties to India before you commit. If we see a red flag, we’ll tell you what to fix. If your case looks rejection-prone, we’ll either give you a 6-month plan to strengthen it, or recommend you wait — not take your money.

Consular-grade documentation, not template forms.

Every Schengen consulate has unwritten rules. France wants 6 months of bank statements; Germany insists on 3 months but very recent. Italy needs every flight booking paid in full; Belgium often accepts unpaid reservations. Our team has filed thousands of applications and knows the country-specific quirks for the 5 consulates that handle 90% of Indian volume — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Netherlands.

VFS slots when slots are scarce.

During peak season (May–September), VFS Hyderabad slots sell out 6–8 weeks ahead. We hold reserve slots, refresh availability twice daily, and can usually get you in within 2–3 weeks even in the worst weeks. If your travel date is tight, ask — we don’t promise miracles, but we have more options than someone refreshing the public VFS page.

Re-application support if something goes wrong.

About 30% of our Schengen workload is re-applications after refusal. We get the Article 32 refusal letter, identify exactly which clause was triggered, fix the underlying weakness (usually financial documentation or itinerary), and re-file 2–4 weeks later. Most of our re-applications get approved.

We won’t take a Schengen case we don’t believe will be approved. That’s not a sales line — it’s the operating policy that keeps our approval rate above 95% for the cases we accept.

The Schengen visa process from India is straightforward when you know the order. Here’s the real-world workflow, the way we run it for clients — from the day you decide to travel to the day your passport comes back with the visa stamp.

Step 1 — Decide your destination first, then the consulate.

This is the step everyone gets wrong. You don’t pick “easiest country” and then plan your trip. You plan your trip, find the country where you’ll spend the most nights, and apply at THAT country’s consulate. If your itinerary is 3 nights in Paris, 4 in Rome, 3 in Barcelona, you apply at the Italian consulate (most nights). Wrong consulate = automatic refusal.

Step 2 — Apply 6 weeks before travel (minimum), 6 months before (maximum).

Schengen consulates accept applications up to 6 months before travel and require a minimum of 15 working days lead time. Realistic safe window is 6–8 weeks before departure. May–August needs 8–10 weeks. We’ve had clients get visas in 7 working days — we’ve also seen 30-day waits in peak season. Plan for the longer end.

Step 3 — Book your VFS appointment in your home city.

VFS Global handles applications for most Schengen countries. Centers in Hyderabad (Hitec City), Mumbai (BKC, Andheri), Delhi (Shivaji Stadium, Vasant Vihar), Bangalore (Whitefield), Chennai (Anna Salai), Pune (Yerwada). Some countries (Italy, Greece, Czech Republic) require documents to be couriered to Mumbai or Delhi consulate after Hyderabad biometrics. We handle all that.

Step 4 — Prepare documents that match the consular checklist exactly.

Standard checklist (full version in Section 6 below): passport with 6+ months validity, 2 photos (35×45mm, white background, 80% face), filled application form, travel insurance €30,000+, paid flight bookings, hotel bookings, day-by-day itinerary, cover letter, last 6 months bank statements, last 3 years ITR, employer NOC and salary slips, marriage certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar, PAN. Specific countries add their own asks.

Step 5 — Submit documents at VFS, give biometrics, pay fees.

You attend VFS in person. Biometrics (fingerprints + photo) are mandatory unless you’ve given them in the past 5 years for a previous Schengen application. Total fees on submission day: visa fee (~₹8,500) + VFS service charge (~₹2,000) + premium services if you opt in. Plan for 90 minutes at VFS, 30 minutes if you’re well-organized.

Step 6 — Track your application via VFS portal.

You’ll get a VFS reference number. Standard processing is 15 working days. Your passport returns to VFS, then to you (courier or pickup). We track every IMAD client’s application twice weekly and notify you the moment a decision is made.

Step 7 — Visa approved (or refused) — what to do next.

If approved: you’ll receive your passport with the visa sticker. Verify dates, number of entries, and validity carefully. If refused: you’ll get an Article 32 refusal letter listing the reason code. Don’t panic, don’t re-apply immediately. Send us the refusal letter — we’ll tell you whether to fix-and-re-apply (usually 2–4 weeks later) or wait longer.

Want us to run your Schengen application end-to-end? WhatsApp Ms. Anusha at +91 70752 02850 with your destination and travel dates. Free 15-minute eligibility check.

Below is the full document checklist Schengen consulates require from Indian passport holders in 2026. Specific countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands) add their own requirements on top — we provide a country-specific checklist when you start. Complete Schengen documents checklist for Download for Indian travelers.

Documents required for ALL Schengen applicants

  1. Valid passport — Minimum 6 months validity beyond intended return date. Minimum 2 blank pages. Old passports with prior visas/stamps must also be submitted.
  2. Schengen visa application form — Filled and signed. Use the consulate’s most current version.
  3. Two recent photographs — 35mm × 45mm, white background, taken within last 6 months, 80% face coverage. Glasses not allowed unless prescription proof attached.
  4. Travel medical insurance — Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen countries, covering full duration of stay including 2 buffer days.
  5. Cover letter — Plain paper, addressed to the relevant consulate, explaining purpose of visit, dates, itinerary, and how the trip is being funded. We draft these for clients.
  6. Detailed day-by-day itinerary — Every day accounted for, including hotel city and at least one planned activity.
  7. Hotel reservations / accommodation proof — Confirmed bookings for entire stay. Refundable bookings are acceptable; “tentative” bookings are not.
  8. Flight reservations — Round-trip itinerary. France and Italy generally require fully paid tickets; Germany and Netherlands often accept blocked reservations. Risky to book non-refundable before approval — we book flexible options through our consolidator.
  9. Last 6 months bank statement — Original, signed and stamped by your bank. Average balance, source of large credits, and salary deposits all relevant.
  10. Last 3 years Income Tax Returns (ITR) — Acknowledgement copy from Income Tax Department.
  11. Aadhaar card — Full color copy with current address.
  12. PAN card — Color copy.

Additional documents — Salaried employees

  • Cover letter on plain paper from applicant
  • Employer’s NOC (No Objection Certificate) on company letterhead, signed and stamped, confirming leave dates and that you’ll return to your job
  • Last 6 months salary slips with company seal and signature
  • Company offer letter or appointment letter (original or attested copy)

Additional documents — Business owners / self-employed / directors

  • Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA & AOA) copy
  • DIN numbers (Director Identification Numbers) for all directors
  • GST registration certificate
  • 3 years business ITR
  • 6 months original company bank statement with bank seal and signature
  • 2 letterheads for cover letters
  • Partnership deed (if partnership firm)

Additional documents — Children (under 18)

  • Birth certificate (original + copy)
  • Aadhaar card
  • School/college bonafide certificate with photo and ID card
  • NOC from both parents on ₹100 stamp paper, notarized, listing child’s full details and travel companions
  • Both parents’ passports, Aadhaar, PAN (color copies, signed)
  • If only one parent travels: notarized authorization from the non-travelling parent

Additional documents — Retired applicants / no current income

  • Proof of pension (pension order, pension bank credits)
  • Sponsor letter if a family member is funding the trip
  • Sponsor’s bank statements, ITR, employment proof, and relationship proof (birth certificate / marriage certificate showing relationship)

Document collection is where most Schengen applications go wrong. The wrong photo size, an unstamped bank statement, or a cover letter without dates can trigger a refusal. We review every document before it goes to VFS — that single review prevents most preventable rejections.

Ready to start your application? WhatsApp Ms. Anusha at +91 70752 02850. We’ll send you a country-specific checklist within 24 hours.

The Schengen rejection rate for Indian applicants averaged 16% in 2024 — about 1 in 6 applications denied. Almost every rejection falls into one of seven buckets. Here’s the breakdown, and what we do at the document-preparation stage to prevent each one.

1. Insufficient or unclear financial documents

 The most common rejection trigger by far. Bank statement shows large unexplained deposits, average balance is too low for the trip cost, or financial proof doesn’t match the trip’s price tag. How we prevent it: review 6 months of statements before submission, prepare a brief explanation note for any large credit, and recommend a sponsor letter where balance is borderline.

2. Weak ties to home country

Consulates need to be confident you’ll come back. If you’re young, single, no property, freelance income, no dependents — the consular officer worries you’ll overstay. How we prevent it: strengthen the cover letter to highlight job continuity, family commitments, property holdings, business ownership, or other anchors. We’ve gotten approvals for solo female applicants and freelancers many times — it’s about how the case is presented.

3. Inadequate travel purpose documentation

Vague itinerary, no flights, no hotels, or “I’ll book once visa is approved” — all rejection triggers. The consulate needs a coherent, specific trip plan. How we prevent it: every IMAD application includes a detailed day-by-day itinerary, refundable hotel bookings for every night, and refundable flight reservations. Itinerary makes geographic sense (no zig-zagging across Europe).

4. Travel insurance gap

Insurance below €30,000, not valid across all Schengen countries, or with date gaps at start or end of trip. How we prevent it: we recommend three Schengen-compliant insurance providers (Tata AIG, Bajaj Allianz, ICICI Lombard), verify the certificate before submission, and ensure 2-day buffer at both ends.

5. Wrong consulate / wrong country choice

Applying at France’s consulate when most of your trip is in Germany. Schengen rules say you apply where you’ll spend the most time. How we prevent it: we map your itinerary against the rule, recommend consulate, and adjust trip if your preferred consulate doesn’t fit.

6. Prior immigration violations or refusals

A Schengen refusal in the last 5 years, a US visa refusal, an overstay — all flagged in the consular system. How we prevent it: we ask up front. If there’s history, we adjust strategy — sometimes we wait, sometimes we apply through a different consulate, sometimes we provide additional clarification documents.

7. Inconsistent or incomplete application form

Dates that don’t match your supporting documents, employment field that contradicts your salary slips, gaps in travel history. How we prevent it: every application form is cross-checked against every supporting document before submission. One person fills, a second reviews.

Our 95%+ first-time approval rate isn’t because we cherry-pick easy cases — it’s because we prevent these seven failure modes systematically. If you’ve been rejected before, we’re a strong choice for re-application. If you’re worried about being rejected, we’re a stronger choice for first-time.

Worried your case might be borderline? Free 15-minute eligibility check, no obligation. WhatsApp +91 70752 02850.

Total Schengen visa cost from India in 2026 is approximately ₹19,500 per adult applicant — but that single number obscures the breakdown. Here’s exactly what you pay, and to whom. We list our fees publicly because hidden pricing is the #1 complaint we hear about other agents.
 

What’s included in IMAD Travel’s ₹3,500 service fee

Free 15-minute eligibility consultation · Country-specific document checklist · Document review and verification · Application form filling and review · VFS appointment booking and slot management · Cover letter drafting · Day-by-day itinerary preparation · Travel insurance arrangement · Flight and hotel reservation support · Application tracking and status updates · Re-application support if refused (no additional service fee for one re-attempt)

Get a written, itemized quote for your specific application. WhatsApp Ms. Anusha at +91 70752 02850. We’ll send a written quote within 24 hours.

The Schengen Area expanded to 29 countries in 2024. Bulgaria and Romania joined fully (air/sea borders March 2024, land borders January 2025). Croatia joined in January 2023. Knowing the current count matters — many old guides still say 26 or 27. Your Schengen visa is valid for all 29 countries below.
 

25 EU Member States in the Schengen Area

Austria · Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden

4 Non-EU Countries in the Schengen Area

Iceland · Liechtenstein · Norway · Switzerland

EU countries NOT in the Schengen Area

Cyprus (expected to join in 2026) · Ireland (maintains opt-out for Common Travel Area with UK)

Most popular Schengen destinations for Indian travellers

  • France (Paris, Nice, Lyon) — most-applied country, fastest decisions
  • Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan) — top honeymoon and family destination
  • Switzerland (Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken) — Indian visual and Bollywood association
  • Germany (Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin) — business travel + Black Forest tourism
  • Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville) — value-for-money, high approval
  • Netherlands (Amsterdam) — Indian student parent visits + leisure
  • Greece (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos) — honeymoon and cruise pre-extensions
Schengen visas come in three distinct types — A, C, and the national long-stay visa often called Type D. (There is no Type B; it was abolished in 2010.) Most Indian travellers need only Type C — the short-stay tourist visa.
 

Type A — Airport Transit Visa

Required only if you’re transiting through a Schengen airport without entering the Schengen Area, AND your nationality requires one (Indian passport holders generally don’t need Type A for transit through Schengen airports for most onward destinations). Niche — most travellers can skip this.

Type C — Short-Stay Schengen Visa (THIS is the one you almost certainly need)

Allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period for tourism, business, family visits, or short cultural/sports events. Issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. Validity ranges from your specific travel dates to 5 years for repeat travellers with strong history.

Type D — National Long-Stay Visa (issued by individual countries, NOT a Schengen visa proper)

Issued by individual Schengen member states for stays longer than 90 days — for study, work, family reunification, or long-term residence. Not a Schengen visa in the strict sense. Each country has its own Type D visa rules. We don’t handle Type D — it’s an immigration matter, not travel.

What about Schengen visa for special events?

There’s no separate visa type for special events — special-purpose travel (cultural, sports, conferences) is processed under Type C with the appropriate documentation.

Most-asked clarifications:

  • Q: Is Type B a Schengen visa? A: No. Type B was abolished in 2010 — it used to be the transit-through-Schengen visa, replaced by Type A or by transit being processed under Type C.
  • Q: Can I work on a Schengen Type C visa? A: No. Type C is for tourism, business meetings, and short visits — not employment. For work, you need a national work visa from the specific country.
  • Q: How long is a typical Type C valid for an Indian first-timer? A: Usually a single-entry visa matching your specific travel dates, or a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months to 1 year. Multi-year multiple-entry visas are typically issued only after 2–3 successful Schengen trips.
 
About 40% of our Schengen clients are based outside Hyderabad. Documents are couriered, consultations happen on WhatsApp and video calls, and we coordinate your VFS appointment at the center nearest to you. Below is what working with us looks like from each major Indian city.
 

Schengen Visa from Hyderabad

Office: 5th Floor, Urmila Heights, Banjara Hills (1.2 km from VFS Hyderabad in Hitec City). Walk-ins welcome Mon–Sat, 10 AM–7 PM. Local advantage: Same-day document review possible. Direct VFS Hyderabad submission. We can accompany you to VFS for consultation. Most-applied countries from Hyderabad: France (40%), Italy (20%), Switzerland (15%), Germany (12%), Spain (8%), others (5%).

Schengen Visa from Mumbai

Process: Remote consultation by WhatsApp + video call. Documents couriered to our Hyderabad office for review (or we have a Mumbai courier-pickup partnership). VFS appointment booked at VFS Mumbai BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex) or VFS Mumbai Andheri depending on country. Best for: Mumbai-origin Europe departures (more direct flights from BOM than HYD), Italy and Greece consulate applications (both consulates are in Mumbai for South India). Mumbai contact: [Mumbai office support details / WhatsApp]

Schengen Visa from Delhi NCR

Process: Remote consultation. Documents either couriered to Hyderabad or reviewed on video call. VFS slot at VFS Delhi Shivaji Stadium or VFS Delhi Vasant Vihar depending on country. Important: The German consulate in Delhi is particularly thorough — we adjust documentation strategy for Delhi applicants applying for Germany. Best for: Delhi-NCR origin Europe departures, Germany / Austria / Czech Republic applications (Delhi has the largest German consulate in India).

Schengen Visa from Bangalore

Process: Remote consultation. VFS appointment at VFS Bangalore Whitefield. Bangalore-specific note: Bangalore tech professionals often have high salaries but weak documentation around domestic ties — we help structure financial proof and itinerary to address this directly. Strong India-domestic-ties section in the cover letter is crucial for Bangalore applications. Best for: IT corporate travel, family visits to Schengen countries with relatives, multi-country honeymoon routings.

Schengen Visa from Chennai

Process: Remote consultation. VFS appointment at VFS Chennai Anna Salai. The Italian and Czech consulates in Chennai serve all of South India. Best for: Tamil Nadu and South India residents, multi-generational family Europe trips.

Schengen Visa from Pune

Process: Remote consultation. VFS slot at VFS Pune Yerwada (limited countries) or courier to VFS Mumbai for full coverage. Best for: Pune-based corporate travel, individual leisure applications, MICE groups.

All applications are filed at VFS centers in person — that’s a Schengen requirement (biometrics). What we handle remotely is everything before and after: eligibility check, document review, application drafting, slot booking, post-submission tracking, and refusal recovery.

Schengen Visa Interview Questions — What Indian Applicants Are Asked

Most Schengen applications from India don’t involve a separate interview — biometrics + documents are the only consular contact. But Switzerland, Netherlands, France for some categories, and any “borderline” application can trigger a short interview at VFS or the embassy. Here’s what gets asked, and how to prepare.

Common Schengen interview questions for Indian applicants

  1. What is the purpose of your visit? (Have a one-line answer ready.)
  2. How many days will you stay, and where exactly? (Match your itinerary exactly.)
  3. Who is paying for the trip? (Self / sponsor / company. Have proof matching the answer.)
  4. What do you do for a living? How long have you been there? (Concrete years and role title.)
  5. Have you been to Europe / Schengen / abroad before? (Honest answer. Past travel is a positive.)
  6. Do you have family or property in India? (Strong domestic-ties answer is critical.)
  7. Will you return to India after the trip? (Yes — and explain why: job, family, property, business.)
  8. Why are you applying through this consulate? (You’ll spend the most nights in their country / first entry.)
  9. Do you know anyone in the country you’re visiting? (If yes, declare it. Hiding it is worse than declaring.)
  10. What is your monthly salary / annual income? (Match your bank statements and ITR.)

Three rules for the interview

  1. Match your documents exactly. Every answer must be defensible against your written application.
  2. Keep answers short and specific. Two sentences is plenty. Long answers create new attack surfaces.
  3. Don’t volunteer extra information. Answer only what’s asked.

What we provide for borderline / interview-likely cases

A 30-minute mock interview with one of our Schengen team members. We run through the 10 most-likely questions, give feedback on weak answers, and prepare you for any consulate-specific quirks.

Why Choose IMAD Travel for Your Schengen Visa Application

1. We’re a travel agency, not just a visa office. Most Schengen agents file the visa and disappear. We file the visa AND book the trip — flights, hotels, insurance, transfers, sightseeing. One coordinator from inquiry to homecoming. If a hotel cancellation triggers a refusal-flagged itinerary change, we fix the booking AND the visa documentation.

2. IATA-accredited, with consequences. IATA accreditation isn’t a logo — it’s an annual audit, a financial bond, and an accountability mechanism. If something goes wrong with a flight or hotel booked through us, you have legal recourse. With Justdial-listed agents, you have a phone number that may or may not pick up.

3. We pre-screen Schengen cases before you pay. A weak Schengen case is ₹19,500 wasted AND a refusal stamp on your passport that hurts the next attempt. Our 15-minute free eligibility review tells you whether to apply now, fix something first, or wait. We’ve turned away cases where we couldn’t see a path — that’s why our approval rate is 95%+, not because of luck.

4. 345+ Google reviews — many from Schengen clients. Public, unfiltered. Search “IMAD Travel” on Google Maps. Look specifically at reviews mentioning “Anusha,” “visa,” “Schengen,” “Europe” — that’s the team member and the service you’ll be working with.

Three things our Schengen clients tell us mattered most

The eligibility-check-before-payment model. No fee charged until we both agree your case is worth applying.

Country-specific itinerary drafts. We tailor itineraries to consular preferences, not template trips.

WhatsApp updates throughout the process. You never wonder “what’s happening” — we update you the moment status changes at VFS.

Related guides from IMAD Travel

About the author

Anusha M. is a Senior Visa Consultant at IMAD Travel Pvt Ltd, a Banjara Hills (Hyderabad) travel agency that is IATA-accredited, certified by the Ministry of Tourism of India, and licensed by the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, KSA. She has been processing Schengen, US, UK, Australia, and Umrah visas for Indian travelers since 2018. She can be reached on WhatsApp at +91 99597 77776 for a free 15-minute Schengen eligibility review — no payment required up front.

IMAD Travel has filed over 5,000 visa applications since 2011 and maintains a 95%+ approval rate on Schengen cases we accept. Read 345+ verified reviews on Google.

General FAQ About Schengen Visa Assistance for an Indian citizen

The total cost is approximately ₹19,500 per adult applicant. This breaks down as: visa fee €90 (~₹8,500) paid to the consulate via VFS, VFS service charge ~₹2,000, travel insurance ₹1,500–₹3,000, IMAD service fee ₹3,500 onwards. Children 6–11 pay half the visa fee; under 6 are free.

Standard processing is 15 working days. In peak season (May–September), expect 21–30 working days. We recommend applying 6–8 weeks before travel to leave a safety margin. Some consulates offer expedited processing for urgent cases — we’ll advise based on availability.

For Indian applicants, France, Spain, Iceland, Lithuania, and Greece have the highest first-time approval rates. France in particular has the largest consular bandwidth and fastest standard processing. The “easiest” country depends on your specific profile — we make this assessment in your free 15-minute eligibility check.

The Schengen Area average rejection rate for Indian applicants was ~16% in 2024 (about 1 in 6 applications denied). For IMAD clients, the rejection rate is under 5% because we pre-screen cases and only accept applications we believe will be approved.

29 countries. Bulgaria and Romania joined fully in 2024 (air/sea borders March 2024, land borders January 2025). Croatia joined in January 2023. Cyprus is expected to join in 2026 but isn’t yet a member. Ireland has a permanent opt-out.

Yes. VFS Global Hyderabad processes Schengen visas for most countries directly. Our office is in Banjara Hills, 1.2 km from the VFS center in Hitec City. For some countries (Italy, Greece, Czech Republic), documents are couriered to Mumbai or Delhi after Hyderabad biometrics — we handle the courier coordination.

Core checklist: passport (6+ months validity), application form, 2 photos (35×45mm), travel insurance €30,000+, paid flight reservations, hotel bookings, day-by-day itinerary, cover letter, last 6 months bank statements, last 3 years ITR, employment letter or business proof, Aadhaar, PAN. Country-specific add-ons apply.

Most Schengen applications from India don’t require a separate interview — only biometrics at VFS. Switzerland, Netherlands, and some borderline applications for Germany or Belgium may trigger a 5–10 minute interview. We provide free mock interview prep for cases flagged as interview-likely.

Yes — and we recommend it. Schengen consulates accept applications up to 6 months before travel, with a minimum of 15 working days’ lead time. For peak season (May–September), apply 8–10 weeks ahead. For winter / shoulder season, 4–6 weeks is usually safe.

Yes. About 30% of our Schengen workload is re-applications. The first step is to read your refusal letter (Article 32 cites the specific reason). Wait 2–4 weeks before re-applying to avoid a “duplicate application” flag. We review the refusal, fix the underlying weakness (usually financial documentation or travel purpose), and re-file.

Up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period across all 29 Schengen countries combined — not 90 days per country. The 180-day window is calculated at every entry, looking back 180 days. Days spent in non-Schengen Europe (UK, Ireland, Cyprus) don’t count.

Yes. About 40% of our Schengen clients are based in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, or other Indian cities. We handle the entire process remotely — consultation by WhatsApp, document review online, courier coordination, and VFS appointment booking in your home city.

How can we help with visas?

Send us a message and we’ll respond as soon as possible

    Contact Us

    IMAD Travel Pvt Ltd

    Address

    5th Floor, Urmila Heights, 8-2-594/A, Road No. 10, opp. Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034

    info@imadtravel.com

    +91-40-35416875

    Ms. Anusha

    +91 70752 02850

    Ms. Madhuri

    +91 91009 66744