Schengen Visa Application from India: A Solo Traveller’s Guide

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I had been dreaming about a solo backpacking adventure through Europe since childhood. Thanks to countless Bollywood and Hollywood films, Europe felt like the ultimate travel fantasy. But, let’s be honest – getting a Schengen visa on an Indian passport feels like solving a puzzle that changes shape every day. When I finally took the plunge and applied, I went through a whirlwind of confusion, panic, excitement, and eventually, relief.

I wanted to put everything I learned in one place to help fellow solo travellers navigate the Schengen visa maze with confidence. No group travel hassles, just one person, one passport, and a whole lot of documentation!

Planning Your Solo Schengen Adventure

The first step was to fix my travel dates and countries. Schengen has 26 countries, and the general rule is to apply at the embassy of the country you will spend the most days in. If you plan an equal number of days in multiple countries, then apply through the country you will enter first.

I had initially planned Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Slovakia. Later, I skipped Hungary because I didn’t want to rush. Vienna was the cheapest entry point, so I applied through the Austrian Embassy.

How to Reach Europe

Flights from India to Europe aren’t cheap, and I’d strongly advise against booking them before getting your visa. Instead, get a flight itinerary from the airline. Go to the booking page, fill in your details, and take a printout of the itinerary before you pay. Include a note in your cover letter saying, “I have attached the flight itinerary. Once the visa is confirmed, I will book it.”

This approach saved me a lot of stress and potential losses.

Best Time to Apply

I cannot stress this enough – book your VFS appointment before booking any flights or accommodation. Visa slots get booked out fast, especially from May to September. Plan at least 2 months ahead.

My visa took about 18 days to process, but I’ve heard of applications taking 45 days during peak season.

Documents I Submitted

Here’s what I carried to the VFS appointment for my solo travel Schengen visa:

Appointment letter and fee confirmation
Visa application form (double-check everything, including middle names)
Cover letter (my saviour, where I explained everything clearly)
Travel insurance (first 4 pages only)
Flight itinerary
Hotel bookings (I used free cancellation options on HostelWorld and Booking.com)
Passport with copies of all previous visas
Previous passports, if any
6 months of bank statements, stamped and signed
Salary slips for the last 3 months
ITR acknowledgments (3 years)
Company NOC (if employed) or professional proof
Offer letter and promotion letters
PAN card self-attested
Aadhaar card copy (optional)
Day-by-day itinerary (I included a simple table with cities, accommodation, and dates)
Mutual fund or credit card statements (optional, but gave me peace of mind)
Internal transport bookings (I showed Flixbus tickets, refundable)

Pro tip: If your bank balance is low, include FDs, mutual fund statements, and credit card statements to show you can fund your trip.

My Appointment Experience

My appointment was at the Mumbai BLS center. I decided to use the premium lounge to speed things up since I was solo and handling documents on my own. I also opted for their SMS and courier services so I wouldn’t have to revisit for passport collection.

They checked all my documents, took biometrics, and returned some optional ones like the Aadhaar card. The staff was polite but do note they will push for their paid services — you can say no to everything if you wish.

What Happened After Submission

Waiting was the hardest part. Around day 16, I received a call from the Austrian Embassy. They asked me about my job, itinerary, accommodation, and funding. One question caught me off guard — the names of tourist places I planned to visit in Vienna. Good thing I had my itinerary memorised!

Two days later, I got the message that my passport was ready for pickup. The joy of seeing that Schengen sticker on my passport is something I’ll never forget.

Common Schengen Myths for Solo Travellers

Agents are mandatory — Nope. I only used an agent to double-check my documents. You can do this on your own.
You must have booked flights — False. Show a flight itinerary instead.
Solo travellers get rejected — Not true. If your paperwork is solid, you’ll be fine.
You need a huge bank balance — No. Just show consistent funds, about 100–120 euros per day.

Final Tips for Solo Schengen Visa Success

Always double-check your name on the application. Missing my middle name once cost me a fresh appointment and fee.
If you get a call from the embassy, be prepared to answer everything confidently.
Add a proper cover letter that explains any confusion about bookings or routes.
Never bring laptops or USB drives to the VFS office, they charge extra for lockers.
Book accommodations with free cancellation in case plans change.
Consider travel insurance with baggage loss and flight delay coverage for peace of mind.

Solo travel in Europe was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and getting the visa was the first step in that journey. Yes, it takes time and effort, but trust me, the moment you wander through European streets alone, everything feels worth it.

If you’re planning your first solo Schengen trip, take it slow, prepare thoroughly, and believe you can do it.

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