For many travellers, applying for a Schengen visa can feel almost as stressful as planning the entire Europe trip itself. Multiple nations, hotel bookings, financial documents, insurance and appointment requirements can make the paperwork a much complicated work. However, there’s one traveller that got her Schengen Visa in just three days! Now she has shared her secrets and three travel tips that could help fellow travellers obtain their visa. According to her, a strong application is not necessarily about submitting the maximum number of documents but is about making the entire travel plan easy to understand.Let’s find out what helped the travellers to obtain her Schengen visa:It’s the story of travel creator Shivani Bansal. She recently shared details of her Schengen visa application after receiving approval for a 25-day Europe trip. She travelled across eight countries and according to her three aspects helped make her application stronger.1) An easy to understand itinerary2) A detailed cover letter3) A convincing financial documentationHowever, it is important for travellers to understand that while her visa was reportedly processed in two days, it must not be treated as a standard processing timeline. It is because visa decisions and processing times depend on several factors. The consulate and application volume and how well your papers are matter a lot.Here are three practical lessons for travellers1. Make your itinerary tell one clear storyOne of the most important parts of a Schengen application is showing that your proposed journey makes sense. If you are visiting several European countries, avoid presenting a confusing list of destinations without explaining how they fit together. Your accommodation, transport and intended stays should broadly support the route described in the application.Also, it is an extremely important rule about choosing the country through which you apply. If the trip covers multiple Schengen countries, the application should generally be made through the country where you intend to spend the longest period. In her case, Switzerland was the longest stay on the planned itinerary, even though her trip started in Amsterdam.2. The cover letter make sense with the submitted documents
Schengen visa (canva)
A well-written cover letter is extremely important. It’s more than a formal note saying that you want to visit Europe. It can help an applicant explain the bigger picture behind the paperwork. Bansal said her cover letter covered her travel plans, finances, professional or business background and reasons for returning to India.For example, if you are self-employed, explain your business and professional commitments. If you are employed, your employment details and approved leave can help establish the purpose of the trip. If you have a detailed multi-country itinerary, briefly explain the route and duration.3. Financial documents should present the complete picture
Schengen Visa (Canva)
Having money in a bank account is only one part of demonstrating financial preparedness. According to Bansal, her application included bank statements, income-tax returns and other financial documents. Her account showed a combined funds of around INR 15 lakh or more.For travellers, the documents should clearly show that the applicant can reasonably fund the holiday. Visa applicants should always follow the specific document checklist issued for the country handling their application. Also, missing documents can delay or negatively affect an application.Don’t forget the basicsThe mandatory requirements of a Schengen application cannot be replaced by these three lessons:
- Applicants in India need to submit their application through the relevant visa process
- Attend the required appointment and provide biometric information where applicable
- Travel medical insurance is needed with coverage of at least €30,000 for eligible Schengen applications
- Travellers should also remember that a two-day approval is an individual experience, not a promise of how quickly every application will be processed.
Remember, your application must have clarity about the itinerary, explanation and financial documents. All must support the same story. For a first-time Schengen applicant, that clarity may be far more valuable than simply submitting a file which is only thick.
