A whimsical Europe trip is on the cards for many Indians – be it the stunning snow-capped peaks of Switzerland or the dreamy Italian summer! However, if you’re planning a trip to Europe, note that the Schengen Visa required to enter the Schengen countries in the European Union (EU) is set to go fully digital! This digitization will make it more convenient, accessible, and streamlined for Indian travelers. Here’s all that you need to know about the Schengen Visa’s new digital overhaul!
Schengen Visa Now Digital: What It Is, How To Apply, Visa Fees, And More
First Things First: What Is A Schengen Visa?
Many of you might be wondering – what exactly is the Schengen Visa making headlines every now and then. Well, for those unfamiliar with it, the Schengen Visa is a visa that grants permits for short-term travel to non-EU and non-European Economic Area citizens.
The visa allows them to enter and move freely within countries that fall in the Schengen Zone. Within a 180-day period, travelers can move freely for up to 90 days.
Which Countries Fall In The Schengen Zone?
A single visa allows travelers to move freely within the countries included in the Schengen Zone, thus making travel more convenient and streamlined. Here are the 29 countries that fall in the Schengen Zone:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Austria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Indian passport holders cannot freely move within the Schengen Zone without a visa. However, with a Schengen Visa, a single visa allows them to freely move within this zone. This makes travel much more convenient, cost-effective, and efficient.
What Is The Online Schengen Visa?
As part of the EU’s move to digitize visa procedures, around 70,000 digital Schengen Visas were issued by France, primarily in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was more of a pilot project by the EU in its plan to make its visas fully digital. Now, the EU aims to roll out a completely centralized digital visa application system by 2026. The Schengen Visa System is set to go fully digital by 2028, making it a super convenient and secure way of travel for those looking to explore Schengen countries.
This new visa application system will allow Indian travelers to submit their documents, pay application fees, and track their application status. They’ll also be able to receive digitally signed barcodes as visas instead of the traditional sticker visas stuck on passports.
Despite the online visa, first-time applicants must visit consulates or visa centers for biometric data collection, with a renewal process required every five years.
The main goal behind digitizing Schengen Visa is to make the visa process simpler, faster, secure, and reduce fraud or theft associated with the conventional sticker visas.
Note: Starting July 1, 2025, Germany will no longer allow informal appeals; rejected visa applications must go through formal legal procedures only.
A Brief Guide To Applying Schengen Visa
Now that you’re introduced to the Schengen Visa and the countries included in it, it’s time to skim over the basic procedure of applying for a Schengen Visa.
- Find where you need to apply:
- If visiting one country: Apply at the country’s Embassy/Consulate
- Visiting more than one country: Apply for the country’s visa you’ll stay the longest in.
- Visiting more than one country for equal amounts of time: Apply for the country’s visa you’ll visit first.
- Schedule an appointment: The visa appointment can be scheduled online on the Embassy, Consulate, or visa application center’s website.
- Fill out the application form: Duly fill out the application form in an online mode or print the form and then fill it.
- Prepare documents for visa application: A valid passport for at least six months, two passport-sized photographs, flight tickets, hotel reservations, travel insurance, a cover letter, and a completely filled and signed visa application form.
- Attend the Schengen Visa interview: Show up on time for the interview, get all your documents with you, and answer the questions confidently.
In this article, we’ve jotted down the procedure briefly – for a more detailed version, you can read our How To Apply For Schengen Visa From India In 2025 guide.
Schengen Visa Processing Time And Fees
Once you complete the entire application process, your visa will take anywhere from 15 to 30 days to get approved. So, if you’re planning a trip to Europe, make sure to apply for a Schengen Visa well in advance, about 30 to 45 days in advance.
- Visa fee for adults is €80 (roughly INR 7,200)
- Visa fee for children aged 6 to 12 is €40 (roughly INR 3,600)
- No visa fee for children under 6 years of age
- VFS Global processing fee: €20-25 (roughly INR 1,800 to INR 2,200)
Schengen Visa Cascade Regime
Starting April 18, 2024, the EU has introduced a new ‘Cascade’ regime. Under this regime, visa applicants who have lawfully used two Schengen visas within three years become eligible for a multi-year visa. If a traveler has a good travel history with the previous Schengen visas, they can access visas valid for two years, and potentially get an extension of five years.
It is super convenient for those frequently visiting Europe for travel, work, or family purposes and provides great travel flexibility to eligible travelers.
Summing Up
The Schengen Visa is known to be one of the most sought after travel visas in the world – yet it has a high rejection rate, especially for citizens hailing from Asian and African countries. However, the visa application process is set to go completely online by 2028. Will it improve our visa acceptance rate and make the application process more streamlined? What do you think of this move?
