Schengen (Europe) — where this visa takes you

🇪🇺Europe · Visa for Indian citizens

Schengen (Europe) visa, handled for you from Surat

One visa, 29 European countries — France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, Greece and more. As a Schengen visa specialist Explera handles embassy selection, VFS appointment, forms, cover letter, insurance and financial documentation.

◆ Sticker visa (embassy)◆ Processing 15–20 working days◆ Single / Multiple

Apply via WhatsApp Call the visa desk

Visa · Schengen (Europe)

🇪🇺 Sticker visa (embassy)

Stay

Up to 90 days in any 180

Validity

As granted (up to 5 years multiple-entry)

Entry

Single / Multiple

Processing

15–20 working days

Yes — Indian passport holders need a sticker visa (embassy) for Schengen (Europe). Explera Vacations, Surat's IATA-certified visa agent since 2009, files it end to end: up to 90 days in any 180 stay, 15–20 working days processing, 92% approval, your exact fee quoted in writing after a free document assessment. Apply on WhatsApp — no embassy queues for e-visas.

Visa type

Sticker visa (embassy)

Entry

Single / Multiple

Stay

Up to 90 days in any 180

Validity

As granted (up to 5 years multiple-entry)

Processing

15–20 working days

Approval rate

92%

Schengen (Europe) visa — key points at a glance

✓Sticker visa (embassy) for Indian passport holders
✓Permitted stay: Up to 90 days in any 180
✓Entry: Single / Multiple
✓Typical processing: 15–20 working days
✓Exact total quoted after a free document assessment (govt fee ~₹8,000)
✓Embassy / VFS submission with biometrics
✓Approx. 92% approval on Explera-filed applications

Overview

A single Schengen visa lets you travel across all 29 Schengen countries — Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, 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. It is a full embassy (VFS) process with biometrics, so documentation quality decides approval — exactly where a Schengen visa specialist earns its fee.

The single most common cause of rejection is applying to the wrong embassy. The rule: apply to the country where you will spend the most nights, or — if nights are equal — your first point of entry. Explera reviews your itinerary and files through the correct mission, then books the VFS slot, prepares your cover letter, day-wise itinerary, €30,000 travel insurance and financial pack, and coaches you for submission.

Appointment slots for popular missions (France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany) can be scarce in peak season, so start 4–8 weeks before travel — applications are accepted up to 6 months ahead. Frequent, clean-history travellers can be granted long-validity multiple-entry visas of up to 5 years under the Schengen "cascade" principle, which Explera builds the case for wherever your travel record supports it.

Who needs a Schengen (Europe) visa?

Indian passport holders need a sticker visa (embassy) for Schengen (Europe), submitted through the embassy or VFS with biometrics. A complete, well-presented file is decisive — Explera prepares your cover letter, itinerary, financials and forms to embassy standards.

What documents are required for a Schengen (Europe) visa?

✓

Passport

Valid 3+ months beyond return, 2 blank pages, plus old passports.

✓

Schengen photos

Two recent 35×45 mm photos, 80% face, light-grey background.

✓

Confirmed flights & hotels

Round-trip reservation and day-by-day accommodation for the whole trip.

✓

Travel medical insurance

€30,000 minimum cover for the full stay — issued instantly by Explera.

✓

Bank statements

Last 6 months, personal, with adequate closing balance & healthy activity.

✓

ITR

Income-tax returns for the last 2–3 years.

✓

Cover letter & itinerary

Purpose of visit and detailed day-wise plan (prepared by Explera).

Additional documents (case-by-case)

If employed

Leave-sanction letter, employment letter, 3 months’ salary slips.

If self-employed / business

GST, company registration, business bank statement, visiting card.

If sponsored

Sponsor letter, sponsor bank proof and relationship proof.

How do I apply for a Schengen (Europe) visa from Surat?

1
Profile & country
We assess your itinerary and pick the right embassy to apply through.
2
Document pack
Explera prepares cover letter, itinerary, insurance and checks financials.
3
VFS appointment & biometrics
We book your slot; you attend VFS for fingerprints and submission.
4
Decision
Passport returns by courier in 15–20 working days with the visa sticker.

How long does a Schengen (Europe) visa take?

Standard processing for a Schengen (Europe) visa is 15–20 working days from the date of biometric submission.

Peak season (summer holidays, Diwali and Christmas) and busy embassies can extend timelines, so we recommend applying at least 3–4 weeks before travel.

Explera applies with time to spare and keeps you updated at every stage — you can always reach the visa desk on +91 70963 32299.

Why Schengen (Europe) visas get refused — and how we prevent it

Most refusals come down to avoidable mistakes. Explera pre-screens every application against each of these before we file:

Incomplete, inconsistent or poorly-scanned documents

Insufficient or unexplained bank balance and unclear funding

Passport valid for less than 6 months or without blank pages

Weak travel history or an unconvincing purpose of visit for first-time applicants

Unconfirmed or unrealistic itinerary, tickets or hotel bookings

Tips for a smooth Schengen (Europe) visa

✓Keep your passport valid at least 6 months beyond your Schengen (Europe) travel dates, with 2+ blank pages.
✓Maintain a healthy, steady bank balance for 3–6 months before you apply — sudden large deposits raise questions.
✓Apply early: start your Schengen (Europe) visa at least 3–4 weeks before departure to absorb any delay.
✓Bundle your visa with flights, hotels and insurance through Explera — a complete, consistent file approves faster.

What travellers say — Schengen (Europe) visa through Explera

Recent Schengen (Europe) visa applicants from Surat & Gujarat. Explera is rated 4.8/5 across 2,130+ verified reviews — read more.

★★★★★

“As a first-time traveller I had a hundred questions about the Schengen (Europe) visa. Their team answered all of them patiently on WhatsApp, prepared my file, and it was approved. My whole family now uses Explera.”

Jignesh Radadiya

Ahmedabad · Solo travel

★★★★★

“Applied for my Schengen (Europe) sticker visa (embassy) through Explera and honestly did not visit any office — shared documents on WhatsApp and the visa came in 15–20 working days. Very smooth and professional.”

Komal Sheta

Vadodara · Parents’ visit

★★★★★

“Family holiday to Schengen (Europe) and the visa was the part I was most worried about. Explera's Surat desk checked every document before filing and kept updating me till approval. Totally stress-free.”

Vivek Sojitra

Rajkot · Family holiday

Your local Schengen (Europe) visa agent — Surat & all of Gujarat

Explera Vacations runs a dedicated visa desk in Surat — at the Surat Diamond Bourse (Khajod) and on L. H. Road (Varachha) — handling Schengen (Europe) sticker visa (embassy)s for travellers across Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Vapi and the rest of Gujarat. Most applications run entirely on WhatsApp: share your documents, we verify and file, and you track the application to decision on one thread. Document pickup is available across Surat, and where the mission requires biometrics we book the VFS appointment most convenient to you.

City-wise Schengen (Europe) visa desks:

Schengen (Europe) visa FAQ

Schengen (Europe) visa — your questions

Which country should I apply to for a Schengen visa from Surat?

You apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the most nights, or your first point of entry if nights are equal. Explera reviews your itinerary and files through the correct embassy/VFS to avoid rejection.

How much bank balance is needed for a Schengen visa?

There is no fixed figure, but roughly ₹1–1.5 lakh per person for a 7–10 day trip is a healthy benchmark, backed by 6 months of consistent statements and ITRs. We advise on your specific case.

What is the Schengen visa fee from India?

The embassy fee is around ₹8,000 (adult) plus VFS charges; children pay a reduced fee. Because every Schengen file is different, Explera quotes your exact all-inclusive total after a free document assessment — in writing, before you pay. Travel insurance is extra and issued instantly.

Which countries does a Schengen visa cover?

All 29 Schengen states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, 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. Note that Ireland and the UK are not in the Schengen area and need their own visas.

What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?

You may stay a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen area combined — not 90 days per country. The window moves, so each day counts back 180 days. Explera calculates your remaining allowance before you book, which matters most for multiple-entry holders.

How early should I apply for a Schengen visa?

You can apply up to 6 months before travel and should apply at least 15 working days ahead; realistically, start 4–8 weeks out because VFS appointment slots for France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany fill quickly in peak season. Explera monitors slot availability and books the earliest workable date.

Can I get a 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa?

Yes — under the Schengen "cascade" rules, travellers with a clean record of previously used visas can progress to 1-year, then 2-year, then 5-year multiple-entry visas. Explera presents your prior travel history in the way consulates assess it, so you are considered for the longest validity your record supports.

Why are Schengen visas rejected and can I appeal?

The usual grounds are applying to the wrong embassy, weak or unexplained finances, a thin itinerary, or inadequate insurance. Every refusal letter states the reason and the appeal route and deadline for that country. Explera reviews the exact ground cited, then either appeals or rebuilds and refiles the application with the gap closed.

Which Schengen country should I apply through from Surat — France, Germany or Italy?

Apply through the country where you will spend the most nights, or your first point of entry if nights are equal. France, Germany and Italy are the most common choices for Surat travellers. Explera picks the right consulate for your itinerary, books the VFS slot (biometrics are usually submitted in Ahmedabad for Gujarat applicants) and prepares the complete file.

Where do I give biometrics for a Schengen visa from Surat?

At the VFS application centre handling that consulate — for most Gujarat applicants that means Ahmedabad. It is a single appointment: Explera prepares every document beforehand and briefs you on the day, so one trip is enough.

Who is the best Schengen (Europe) visa agent in Surat?

Explera Vacations is Surat's IATA-certified visa desk — 15+ years, the official Surat Diamond Bourse travel desk, rated 4.8/5 by 2,100+ travellers. We file Schengen (Europe) sticker visa (embassy)s end to end: documentation, application, fees and follow-up until decision. Offices at Surat Diamond Bourse (Khajod) and L. H. Road (Varachha); most applications run entirely on WhatsApp — +91 70963 32299.

Can I apply for a Schengen (Europe) visa from Ahmedabad, Vadodara or anywhere in Gujarat?

Yes. Explera serves all of Gujarat — Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Vapi and beyond — with documents handled remotely and any biometric/VFS appointment booked at the centre most convenient to you. No office visit is needed for most applicants.

What is the Schengen (Europe) visa fee for Indian citizens?

The government/embassy fee is around ₹8,000 per applicant. Because embassy files vary by profile, Explera quotes your exact all-inclusive total in writing after a free document assessment — no hidden mark-ups.

Do I need to visit an office for my Schengen (Europe) visa?

Only for the biometric/VFS appointment where the mission requires it — Explera prepares the complete file beforehand and books your slot. Everything else happens on WhatsApp, phone and email, with document pickup available across Surat.

Information last reviewed: September 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change frequently and are set by the destination authorities. The information above is indicative for Indian passport holders — Explera confirms the current requirements for your profile before you apply.