Indian CEO's 400-page Schengen visa application stack goes viral online; netizens find it relatable

Time of India

28-04-2025

For many Indian travelers, applying for a visa to visit Europe can feel like a test of patience and paperwork. Be it a short vacation, a business trip, or attending a conference.
Even seasoned travelers with multiple international trips under their belt often find themselves going through a tedious and inconsistent process for application of visa. The level of scrutiny can wildly vary depending on the destination country, embassy, and even the visa officer handling the case.
Over the years, social media has become a space where travelers share their visa struggles, from last-minute rejections to being asked for years' worth of bank statements. Stories like these bring to light the challenges non-EU nationals often face while seeking entry into the Schengen zone, which spans 29 European countries. While some find the process straightforward, others describe it as frustratingly complex and opaque, leading many to question the fairness of it all and the real value of their passport.
A similar incident took place with Kapil Dhama who shared his experience with a post on X showing his
Schengen visa application
, that shed light on the difficulties of international travel and the challenges faced by Indian passport holders.
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The photograph, shows a massive stack of A4-sized papers, was the total documentation required for a Schengen visa application. The post, which went viral with over 3 lakh views, immediately caught the attention of netizens.
Dhama, who is the founder and CEO of Options 360, explained that he had applied for the visa through VFS, a company that serves as an intermediary between travellers and embassies, handling document submissions, biometrics, and sometimes interviews. "I applied for a Schengen visa through VFS," Dhama wrote in the comments, clarifying his method of submission.
However, his post was met with skepticism. Some users questioned the authenticity of his claim, pointing out that their own Schengen visa applications involved far less paperwork. 'Everyone who shows these bundles won't tell you 90-95% of these are just bank statements of last 6 months (useless activity). Thanks to UPI, everyone has a very large number of transactions,' commented X user Ayush.
Other users also added to the conversation, suggesting that 400 pages seemed excessive compared to their own experiences. One user mentioned, 'Applied and received multiple 5-year Schengens - Netherlands online application and supporting documents were of exactly 10 pages, Austria Physical Application Form and supporting documents total 25 pages. 400 is a sham!' Another user shared their experience with a similar application process, claiming, 'Cap. Half of that is definitely your bank statements. I've applied for a Schengen visa multiple times, tourist, visitor - everything and never have I had to submit so many documents.'
Interestingly, some users also admitted to submitting lengthy applications, but none as extensive as Dhama's. X user Vikas humorously said, 'I filled out a 10-page form last year and got a 30-day tourist visa in 5 days (via French embassy). Maybe 390 pages have been added in the form in the last few months.'
What is the Schengen area and what is special about its visa?
The Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that allow free movement across their borders without passport checks. It operates like one large travel zone. If a traveller is from outside the Schengen Area, they need a Schengen visa to enter. This visa allows travel across all member countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Among the other 29 members, countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are part of it. The visa application requires documents like travel plans, insurance, and financial proof. Once approved, travelers can move freely between member states without needing separate visas or facing internal border checks.