It is an increasingly common phenomenon that Indians prefer to visit Europe for multifarious reasons such as tourism and leisure, top quality and affordable education, business and work opportunities, a lavish lifestyle, and more life-enriching experiences that they never have in their home country.
The count of Indians who filed their visa applications for Europe showed an inclining trend and reached 11 percent in 2024. When it comes to the whole of Europe, France and Germany are desirable destinations for Indians, but Switzerland has become the most preferred place to visit.
YummiTalwar, who is a Chief Operating Officer of South Asia, VFS Global, stated that “India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and it’s clear that this robust momentum will persist in 2025.”
- As per the statistics published by SchengenVisaInfo, Indians demonstrated the third-largest group of visa applicants to the Schengen Area in the year 2023, filing 966,687 visa applications.
- Switzerland was the topmost preference with the maximum visa applications from India – a total of 189,646 or 19.6 percent of 966,687 visa applications Indians filed in total during this year.
Additionally, “travelers are advised to apply for their visas well in advance, i.e., book flights and accommodation ahead of time and also be careful regarding their travel dates, as the rule of the 90-day travel period could expire. With higher demand and limited appointment slots, applicants are encouraged to submit their visa applications as soon as possible”, stated Mr. Talwar.
What are the compelling factors driving the popularity of France and Germany, especially for Indians?
France and Germany have become the most favorable choices for Indians because of myriads of reasons, as explained below:
- France and Germany are the hubs of the world’s top universities and technical institutions. The availability of courses in English, specifically in Germany, has made this country an exceptional choice for Indians. In comparison with the USA and the UK, Germany and France come with several public institutions with lower fees for higher education.
- France and Germany are economic leaders in Europe, providing ample opportunities for business, trade, and investment. Many Indian businesses have established operations or partnerships in these countries, making them major hubs for business.
- Germany, especially, is renowned globally for its strong demand for skilled professionals in fields like engineering, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing. “Blue Card” system in this country makes it more convenient for highly skilled workers to get work visa.
- France and Germany are known for their culturalambience, such as France is blessed with iconic landmarks including Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the French Riviera, however, Germany is a home to picturesque towns like Heidelberg and Berlin, which usually attract Indians who come here on tourist visa.
- These two European countries serve various types of visa for students, tourists, and professionals, making it convenient for Indians to visit, study or work in these nations. These two countries have the highest approval rates for Schengen visa applications from India, which makes these countries more attractive and captivating for Indians.
- Germany and France offer advanced medical infrastructure with top-tier doctors, especially in fields like neurology, oncology, and orthopedics.
- Both countries have a high standard of living and negligible crime rates, which makes these places attractive choices for Indians to study, work, or explore as tourists.
What are the common challenges faced by Indian applicants when applying for a Schengen visa?
There are numerous hardships faced by Indians obtaining Schengen visa as the visa application process can be complex and competitive. Let’s have a look one by one:
- France has the highest visa rejection rate due to insufficient documentation, lack of financial proof, or inability to meet the visa requirements.
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation, including travel insurance, proof of accommodation, flight bookings, financial statements, and a cover letter. Missing any of the documents delays the visa process, which leads to rejection.
- Lack of financial proof, i.e., missing adequate bank statements or financial documents to support your stay in any European country, will be problematic for you to get a Schengen visa.
- The most common challenge faced by Indians is providing clear intention to return to their native country. They lack in showing strong ties to their home country, which results in visa rejection.
- Limited or no travel history or previous visa refusals are unable to prove that you are not going there for permanent settlement.
- The high cost of a visa application, i.e., around 80 Euros, is considered a small amount for some, but for lower-income brackets, this can be a burden.
- Schengen visa applicants require proof of travel insurance; This includes medical emergencies, repatriation, and any unforeseen circumstances for the time period you will stay in a European country. Receiving affordable travel insurance sometimes becomes a cumbersome task for visa applicants.
- Schengen visa appointments have become challenging due to long waiting times, especially during peak travel seasons. Some of these long waiting time delays your travel plans.
- Visa applicants find it challenging when dealing with consulates requiring documents to be submitted in the local language or in the English language. Apart from this, Indian applicants struggle due to insufficient guidance from consular services.
- Once they receive a visa rejection, they sometimes do not clearly understand the exact reasons behind the refusal to rectify the issues and apply again.
What are the tips to improve the chances of getting a European visa approved?
To increase the chances of visa approvals, the following key points are taken into consideration, as explained below:
- Complete the application accurately. Make sure you have filled out the application form without any errors that lead to rejection or delay.
- Documentation should be strong enough, which includes your valid passport for at least 3 months and detailed proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, rental agreement, or invitation letter from the host).
- Provide bank statements from 3-6 months, covering sufficient funds to support your accommodation, transportation, and daily expenses. Provide proof of income or sponsorship letters (if required).
- Show your strong intention to return after your visit for the specific time period. This includes proof of family connections (parents, spouse or children), and proof of property ownership, assets, or other financial ties to your native country.
- If you have traveled in any other country and come back within the stipulated time, make it an important part of your application, which will work in your favor for sure.
- Submit your application almost a month before your planned travel date, but not more than 6 months in advance, to avoid any kind of processing delays. Never apply during peak season, which makes the visa process longer due to the high volume of applications.
- Provide a detailed cover letter explaining the genuine purpose of your travel. A well-written cover letter will increase your chances of visa approval.
- Make yourself ready for the interview if required. Build your confidence and answer accurately.
- Review all documents before submission, such as missing documents and any kind of typing errors, to avoid delays.
- Visa applications can be challenging, and even minor mistakes can lead to rejections. An experienced immigration consultant can streamline the process by helping you prepare strong supporting documents, craft a compelling cover letter, and refine your financial proofs to meet visa requirements. They provide expert guidance to avoid common pitfalls, improve your chances of approval, and offer interview preparation tips to ensure you respond confidently.