Embarking on a long-awaited journey to Europe, we found ourselves faced with the challenging task of visa application. We planned to visit three countries—France, Switzerland, and Italy—and required a Schengen visa, specifically the Schengen visa issued by the Consulate of Italy. This visa would grant us access to all 26 countries within the Schengen region, allowing us to travel seamlessly without any border restrictions. Excitedly, we delved into the process, beginning with the application for the much-needed visa.
Visa Application: To initiate the visa application, we had to visit the VFS Global office in Kolkata, India. First, we needed to determine the type of visa we required, which, in our case, was a Type C tourist visa. We planned to submit our applications towards the end of February, as gathering all the necessary documents would take time. We ensured we had approximately 45 days in hand to complete the entire process.
Visa Requirements: As employed individuals, we applied for the visa as self-sponsored applicants. The required documents for adults included a forwarding letter (cover letter to the consulate), a completed Schengen visa application form, passports, a detailed itinerary, return flight tickets, hotel bookings, available intra-Schengen train tickets, income tax returns for three years, payslips for the past six months, bank account statements attested by the bank manager for six months, credit card statements (optional), a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from our employers, an approved leave letter from our employers, and travel insurance.
For our child, the required documents included a forwarding letter signed by both parents, a completed Schengen visa application form, the child’s passport, a detailed itinerary, return flight tickets, hotel bookings, available intra-Schengen train tickets, bank account statements of the sponsoring parent for six months, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the school, the child’s birth certificate, the child’s school ID card, travel insurance, and copies of both parents’ passports.
Sponsorship and Forwarding Letter: If someone else sponsors the trip, additional documents such as an 11, 12, or 13 series forwarding letter specifying the sponsor’s details would be required.
Visa Application Process: We carefully reviewed all the documents and ensured they met the specific requirements mentioned on the consulate’s website. It was crucial to adhere to the specifications for the photographs as provided on the website, as VFS would not accept applications without them. We purchased train tickets in advance, as train fares in countries other than Switzerland tend to fluctuate dynamically, similar to premium trains in our country. Thus, booking early allowed us to secure more affordable fares.
The Visa Appointment: On the day of our visa appointment, we arrived at the VFS center promptly at 11:00 AM. After going through the security check, we received a token. Interestingly, all three applications were submitted together using a single token. We were then directed to provide our fingerprints, a mandatory process for applicants who had applied for a Schengen visa within the last five years. As we were applying for a visa for our child, both parents had to be present at the VFS center.
Payment and Receipt: Once our documents were thoroughly examined, our fingerprints were taken, and the necessary fees were determined. We opted not to avail of the delivery book post or SMS services, as all the details were mentioned on the receipt, and we could check the application status on the website. After completing the visa fee payment, we received a receipt. Our three application forms were compiled into a file, which we held onto while eagerly awaiting the completion of the processing.
Visa Processing and Collection: We were pleasantly surprised by the quick processing time at the Consulate of Italy in Kolkata, as we received the news of our visa approval within just five days. This meant that the visa officer had made a decision regarding our visa application. We eagerly collected our passports, which now held the coveted Schengen visa. We were granted a single-entry visa for 23 days, allowing us to enjoy our European adventure to the fullest.
With the visa application process complete, we were one step closer to our dream journey. Our next installment will cover train ticket bookings and the meticulous planning involved in creating our itinerary. Stay tuned as we unravel the details of our travel preparations and experiences throughout our European expedition.
