Applying for a Schengen Visa - Things to remember

First of all congratulations on start planning a trip!

If you are a first-time traveler, your query starts with 'whether to apply through a visa agent or self'

I spent nearly two weeks for an answer to this query and finally decided to do it myself. 

Here are certain things you should do while applying for a Schengen Visa. I'll also attach my covering letter ad sponsorship letter format for easy copying!!

Step 1:- Decide the destination (whether you want to visit a particular Schengen country or multiple entries required). 

Step 2:- Air tickets ( Here is the catch, it's always good to book return air tickets and apply for a visa) 

  Dummy tickets are not recommended nowadays as the officials may counter check PNR sometimes)

Never search flight fares through your normal browser, instead always search with incognito mode.  Skyscanner is a good platform for fare search. Look for a reasonable deal and book the ticket. It's not always true that the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be. I have used Akbar travels booking site which was the cheapest deal. Remember to check luggage allowance before booking the flight)

Step 3:- Medical Insurance:- If your dates are fixed, apply for medical insurance by yourself. After some research, I have found Religare travel insurance is cheaper and also reliable as they have enough panel hospitals in Europe. I took 10000 Euros mediclaim for around 854 INR for 10 days. 

Step 4:- Hotel bookings

Booking.com or Agoda.com will give free hotel bookings if you have a credit card and even some debit cards. You can cancel after the visa gets approved and can do any other bookings of your choice. Personally, I will suggest Airbnb or Couchsurfing if you are looking for budget options. 

Step 5:- Applying for Visa 

Check the list of things you should arrange before applying for a Schengen tourist visa  Schengen Visa Documents list

Covering Letter Sample format 

Date

The Visa Officer, 

Embassy of Greece, 

New Delhi

Subject: Request for Issuance of Tourist Visa

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, (Name as in Passport), holding an Indian passport number XXXXXX would like to visit Greece from from -----to ------ for vacation. I will be accompanied by my fiancée/friend. 

Name	Passport Number	Relation
XYZ	XXXXXX	Fiancee

I am working as XXXXX at XXXXX since XXXXXX. My fiancee is employed in @@@@ as XXXX. We have projects to finish back here and are serving government bond of one year till 19^th July 2020, and we will be resuming our duties on 13^thJanuary on expiry of our sanctioned leaves from the department. 

Me and my fiancée will be bearing all the expenses for our trip including the cost of return air tickets, hotel expenses and other travel and sustenance expenses. Our annual income is XXX INR (XXXEuros). I have also arranged sponsorship from my mother by means of cash and necessary documents are attached herewith (ITR not applicable as my mother is a pensioner). We have strong family ties here in India and are settled here. Me and my fiancee started filing ITR from 2018-2019 financial year as we were receiving non-taxable student’s stipend till then. Please note that we have already made the necessary arrangements for our stay in your country. 

Please, find the following documents to support my visa application:

1.    Visa application form, duly dated and signed with attached passport-size pictures

2.    Passport and residence proof

3.    Travel Insurance, coverage of €100,000

4.    E-ticket reservation for my flight from Mumbai - Athens – Mumbai 

5.    Accommodation details (Hotel, Couchsurfing host invitations & Airbnb reservations) for our holidays in Greece

6.    Employment and leave certificates showing approved leaves as well as the date I am expected to return to work (appointment order and joining letter copy also enclosed)

7.    ITR of two years, Pay slips, credit card statements and certified Savings Account statement as proof of my income

8.    Sponsorship letter, ID proof copy and bank statement from mother. 

9. Detailed Itinerary 

10. Wedding card and engagement ceremony photographs.

Planned Itinerary:

January 1, 2020 – Flight from Mumbai to Athens via Bahrain (Flight No.XXXXXXX)

January 1 to 4, 2020- Stay in Athens and sight-seeing, travel to Galaxidi on 4^th morning

January 4 to 7, 2020 – Stay in Galaxidi and sight-seeing in Delfoi 

January 7 to 8, 2020 – Stay and Sightseeing in Meteora, Travel to Athens on 8^th night. (here I suggest you get a free booking.com hotel booking instead of showing an overnight journey. It didn't create any issue in my case, still for safer side get a free booking for the hotel)

January 9, 2020 – Stay in Athens and local shopping 

January 10, 2020 – Return flight Athens to Mumbai via Bahrain  (GFXXXXX)

I hope that the above-given details are up to your requirements. Requesting you to grant the necessary visa and oblige. Please feel free to contact me in my number any time for any clarifications required. 

Thanking You.

Yours Faithfully

Name as in Passport 

Mobile Number 

     Following is a detailed itinerary which we submitted along with Covering letter 

January X, 2020	Flight from Mumbai to Athens via Bahrain (GF 0057 – GF 0041)	Check in Hotel XXXXX, Athens 10438
January X to X, 2020	Acropolis Musuem, Street tour, local exploring and Plan to meet Couchsurfing members in Athens	Hotel XXXXXXX, Athens 10438
January X, 2020	Travel to Galaxidi by Bus/Train	Check in Hotel XXXXX, Galaxidi, 33052
January X to X, 2020	Stay in Galaxidi –  1.Bicycle ride to see old neoclassical houses, old captains’ mansions, picturesque ports and explore the island on the mainland more.  2. Sight-seeing in Delfoi  Oracle, Temple of Apollo	Hotel XXXXXXX, 33052
January X, 2020	Travel to Kalambaka by Train/Bus	Check in XXXXXX, Kalabaka, 42200
January X to X, 2020	Stay and Sightseeing in Kalambaka & Meteora- Holy monastery, Mushroom museum, hiking and Couch surfing meet ups.	Hotel XXXXX Kalambaka, 42200
January X, 2020	Travel to Athens at night by Train/bus/car
January X, 2020	Stay in Athens and local shopping	Airbnb at Athina XXXXX Address- XXXXX Ph:- XXXXX
January X, 2020	Return flight Athens to Mumbai via Bahrain  (GF0042- GF0056)	Reaching Mumbai by 4.55am

Sponsorship letter Sample format 

Mrs XXXXXXXX

Address

15/11/2019

To:

The Visa Officer

Greece Embassy 

New Delhi 

Sub: Sponsorship Letter For  (Name as in passport),  with Passport Number: XXXXXX

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, XXXXXXX, am a citizen of (INDIA and am currently residing in XXXXXXX. I am writing this letter to support the visa application of my Son XXXXXX. He is currently working as  XXXXXX

The purpose of his application is for a tourist visa for Greece. He is traveling with his fiancee XXXXXX. The trip dates shall be from ___ to ____ 2020. I hereby declare that any expenses required for his trip to a maximum of two lakh rupees (2,00,000INR) will be supported by my personal bank account. I am a pensioner and don’t come under income tax slab. My account is very active with regular transactions as you can see in the statement. 

Additional details of the trip are as follows:

They will be reaching Athens by 1^st January and staying there till 4^{th Jan}. Thereafter visiting Galaxidi & Delfoi from 4^th to 6^th January, Meteora from 7^th to 8^th and back to Athens by 9^th morning and residing there till 10^thmorning. Return flight to Mumbai on 10^th January noon. 

Enclosed in this sponsorship letter are the following documents:- 

ID Proof 

Bank Statement signed and sealed

I sincerely request you to consider my son’s visa application. 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at XXXXXXX

email:- AAAAAAA@gmail.com).

Tips:- 

1. The detailed itinerary is a must. That gives credibility to your stay and visit plan. 
2. Never miss a single night from the itinerary 
3. Better use Booking.com or Agoda for booking and later cancel it after issuance of visa. 
4. Airbnb is the cheapest option, budget hotels are also there. If you can find a Couchsurfing host well and good, stay for free. 
5. If you have previously issued visas, take a copy of each visa from your passport and attach it along with your documents. You will need it. 
6. Applying through Global Visa Application center (GVC) will be better, their services are really good. Do not carry any bag to GVC (lockers are chargeable, even for a pen drive), especially a laptop or pen drive. Keep all documents ready. Will mostly will come in 3 days' time. 
7. Incase your application got rejected at first place, re apply correcting the reason mentioned in previous rejection and mention the same very clearly in your covering letter. 

There you go! Happy Journey