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Process of obtaining a Schengen Visa

Step-by-step Process for obtaining a Schengen Visa

All applicants must present the following documents along with the printed and signed Visa Application:

  1. Find your closest VFS visa application center (click HERE for all locations in India)
    • Applicants with an Indian passport must submit their visa application through the visa applications center called VFS Global. They are the ONLY accredited visa agency with the right to accept Schengen Visa applications for travel to Estonia. There are 10+ centers around India.
    • If you are from Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, you may submit your application directly at the Estonian Embassy in New Delhi.
  2. Fill out a Visa Application
    • Find the online application HERE
    • Print and Sign the Visa Application
  3. Compile your Supporting documents
    • Refer to the list of required and supporting documents. These can include:
      • Cover Letter explaining the purpose of your trip, why Estonia, duration of the trip, places you expect to be visiting.
      • Itinerary
      • Accommodation booking
      • Please note: It is not mandatory to have purchased airplane tickets, but you should which flight would you ideally take if you are granted a visa.
  4. Make appointment at your nearest VFS location
    • Here is the link for making an appointment
    • As part of the visa application procedure, from 2 November 2015 applicants will need to provide Biometric fingerprint data along with a digital photograph. If you have temporary injuries on your fingers, applicants are advised to wait until the injuries have healed before you book your appointment. Henna on fingertips may also mean we are unable to get a clear scanned image and should be removed or allowed to fade before your appointment date.
    • Before you make an appointment you should carefully read the visa application process available on the website to submit your visa application and supporting documents at the visa application center.
    • If you have missed your appointment on the scheduled day, the system will not allow you to reschedule or cancel and you will require to book a new appointment after 24 hours.
    • Please make sure you arrive at the visa application center 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. Applicants are not allowed to be accompanied inside the visa application center. The only exceptions to this are those accompanying children under 18 years-of-age or applicants who need special assistance for health reasons or disability.
    • If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family or group must make an individual appointment. For example, if you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children you must make 4 individual appointments.
  5. Submit your application file and biometrics at VFS
    • You must have made an appointment as VFS does not allow unscheduled walk-ins.
  6. Receive an email from VFS confirming your application has been submitted
    • xxx – Which email address does this email come from?  Let’s find out from VFS.
  7. Receive an email from Embassy of Estonia in Delhi confirming 
    • As VFS takes applications to the Embassy of Estonia in New Delhi, the information is fed into an Estonian government program in order for the Police and Border Patrol of Estonia to make a decision, this process will take a minimum of 10 working days. In various circumstances visa processing may take up to 60 days. Therefore make sure to apply for a visa a minimum 15 working days prior to your expected travel, but not more than 90 days before travel.
  8. Make an appointment at VFS to collect your passport
    • If you were granted a visa, it will be in the form of a sticker on one of your passport pages.

 

Last updated: 10 April 2019