Latest news with #SchengenVisa
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Applying for a tourist visa? Here's how much money should be in your bank account to get a visa for popular countries
Planning to go on an international trip in the coming time? Well, before you get your bags packed for your holiday, it's important to understand that your bank balance should be enough to afford your travel. It can directly affect your chances of getting a visa as most countries require travellers to prove they have sufficient funds. Your bank account is inspected carefully. The amount should be enough to cover your international travel expenses and ensure you return home after your journey. The whole process involves submitting all required financial documents, which includes recent bank statements, salary slips, and travel itineraries. It is all a part of your visa application. These documents are then carefully checked by immigration officials at the visa office. If your documentation is strong and you have valid travel insurance, the chances of getting your visa approved can increase your visa approval chances. Different countries have different minimum balance expectations, which is often based on the duration and nature and purpose of your travel. Here's an updated list of how much money is generally recommended in your account country wise distribution: Canada (Visitor Visa) Bank Balance : CAD 5,000 to 10,000 (INR 3 to INR 6 lakh) for a 2 to 4 weeks trip. Documents : 3–6 months of bank statement, travel itinerary, accommodation proof, and invitation letters (if applicable). Australia (Visitor Visa) Bank Balance : $5,000 to $10,000 (INR 2.5 to INR 5 lakh) for a 2 to 4 weeks trip. Documents : 3–6 months of bank slips, salary statement, IT returns, travel itinerary, and sponsor info (if applicable). Germany (Schengen Visa) Bank Balance : €100–120 per day (INR 9,000–INR 11,000); total INR 1.5 to INR 2 lakh for 15 days trip. Documents : 3–6 months of bank slips, hotel bookings, return flight tickets, and travel insurance coverage of €30,000 (INR 29,95,110). Spain (Schengen Visa) Bank Balance : Around €100 (₹9,000) per day, with a minimum of €900 (₹81,000). Documents : 3–6 months of bank slips, credit card statements, accommodation proof, return flight tickets, employment proof, and travel insurance worth €30,000 (INR 29,95,110). France (Schengen Visa) Bank Balance : €100–120 per day (INR 9,000–INR 11,000); INR 1.5 to INR 2 lakh for 15 days travel. Documents : 3 months of bank slips, credit card statements, hotel bookings, invitation letters (if relevant), proof of employment, and travel insurance of €30,000 (INR 29,95,110). Sri Lanka (ETA – Electronic Travel Authorisation) Bank Balance : $1,000 to $2,000 (INR 80,000 to INR 1.6 lakh) for 15–30 days trip. Documents : Bank/credit card statements, return tickets, hotel bookings, and a valid passport United States (B1/B2 Tourist Visa) Bank Balance : $6,000 to $10,000 (INR 5 to INR 8 lakh) for a 15–20 day trip. Documents : 6 months bank statements, salary slips, IT returns, and a detailed travel itinerary. So, now you know how important is your bank balance when applying for a visa- it is not just a number, it reflects your financial stability
News18
17-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Going Abroad? Know How Much Money You Need In Your Account For Visa Approval
Last Updated: Visa approvals require proof of sufficient funds varying by country, backed by bank statements, payslips, travel plans, and sometimes sponsorship details If you're planning to travel abroad, it's essential to know that visa rules require proof of sufficient funds, varying by country (around £5,000 to £10,000), supported by bank statements, payslips, and travel plans. Whether visiting the US, Australia, France or elsewhere, you'll need to show adequate funds in your bank account, not just to cover trip expenses, but also to satisfy visa criteria and demonstrate your intent to return home. Visa officers assess your financial stability through documents such as bank statements, payslips, income tax returns, and travel itineraries. They must be confident you're a genuine tourist, likely to comply with your visa terms. Travel insurance and a strong travel history further bolster your application. If you're planning to visit countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Sri Lanka, or Japan, it's important to be aware of the minimum bank balance required for visa approval. This varies by country and depends on the length and nature of your trip. United States (USA) – B1/B2 Tourist Visa Minimum Bank Balance: There is no fixed amount, but it is advisable to have between $6,000 and $10,000 (approximately Rs 5 to 8 lakh) for a 15 to 20 day trip. The required amount may vary based on your travel duration, accommodation, and planned activities. The financial standing of any sponsors is also scrutinised. Spain – Schengen Visa France – Schengen Visa Sri Lanka – Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Germany – Schengen Visa Minimum Bank Balance: Similar to France and Spain, Germany requires about €100 to 120 (Rs 9,000 to 11,000) per day. For a 15-day trip, this amounts to approximately Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh. Documents Required: Bank statements for 3 to 6 months, confirmed bookings, tickets, and travel insurance with €30,000 coverage. Canada – Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Final Tips Make sure your bank balance meets the requirements for your destination country, and prepare all necessary documents carefully. Having these in order will help ensure a smoother visa application process and a hassle-free journey abroad. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:35 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Schengen visa refused? A simple guide to making an appeal
A growing number of Indian travelers are seeing their Schengen visa applications rejected. If you have received a refusal, you can file an appeal to contest the decision. The Schengen visa allows travel across 27 European countries. According to Schengen rules, every applicant has the right to appeal if they disagree with the decision. The refusal notice contains instructions about where and how to send an appeal. In most cases, an appeal must be submitted to the consulate or embassy that rejected the visa. Here's how the process works. Understanding the Refusal Notice Each Schengen visa refusal notice contains specific reasons for the rejection. Common reasons include: Incomplete or inconsistent documents Lack of proof of financial means Unclear purpose of travel No proof of accommodation Inadequate travel insurance Read this notice carefully. The reasons listed here are the starting point for making a strong appeal. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) When to File the Appeal Each Schengen country has its own deadline for submitting an appeal. In general: Live Events You Might Also Like: Why you may need a Schengen Visa on your next trip to the US or Canada The appeal must be filed within 15–30 days from the date you received the refusal notice. The notice will clearly state where and how to send the appeal. Late appeals are usually not accepted. Preparing the Appeal Letter Your appeal should be concise, factual, and directly respond to the reasons stated in the refusal notice. It must be submitted in the language required by the issuing country and should include: Your personal details and visa application number A clear explanation of why you disagree with the decision New or updated documents, such as bank statements, accommodation details, or invitation letters Travel itinerary and insurance information if applicable Make sure every claim is backed by supporting evidence. Submitting the Appeal Send the appeal to the consulate or embassy that refused your visa. Follow their specific instructions. You can often submit the appeal by post or in person. Confirm the submission method before sending. What Happens After You Appeal Once the appeal is received, the authorities review the new documents and explanations. The processing time varies but can take a few weeks. They will notify you of their decision once the review is complete. If the appeal is successful, your visa will be granted. If it is refused, the consulate or embassy will inform you of further options, which may include submitting a fresh application or, in rare cases, appealing to a court. You Might Also Like: What is the best time to apply for a Schengen visa? Tips for a Strong Appeal Read the refusal notice thoroughly and understand every point. Address every reason for the refusal clearly. Submit updated documents that cover gaps in the original application. Avoid making general or emotional arguments; focus on factual evidence. What to Do if the Appeal Fails If your appeal is rejected, you can consider submitting a new application. Make sure to fix the issues mentioned in the refusal notice and provide stronger supporting documents. In certain countries, you can also seek legal advice and approach a court if needed. A refused Schengen visa is not the end of the road. By understanding the reasons, submitting a well-prepared appeal, and providing strong supporting evidence, many applicants have been able to secure their visas on the second attempt.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
E.U. Makes It Easier To Tighten Visa-Free Travel In Schengen Area
Schengen Visa and Passport getty The European Parliament and Council have agreed on a provisional new system to restrict visa-free travel in the Schengen zone of free movement. With citizens of 61 non-EU countries currently enjoying visa-free travel, the proposed changes, which still need to be formally adopted, could have a significant impact on millions of prospective travelers, particularly those from countries who fall out with the EU over human rights and visa policy. What has been agreed is meant to make it easier for the EU to suspend visa-free travel for a particular third-country if there is some suspicion that country is abusing the 'privilege' or in some other way not honoring the agreement. The can include, according to the text from the Parliament, 'security concerns and human rights violations.' This security and human rights focus seems to be of particular concern for European policymakers. 'Visa-free travel to the EU benefits foreign citizens and the EU alike,' said Radosław Sikorski, Minister for Foreign Affairs for Poland, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency. 'But if citizens of third countries abuse this advantage, the EU must have all necessary tools in place to correct the situation.' The text of the agreement appears to allude to the concept of migration as a form of 'hybrid warfare,' meaning it is worried that some countries with visa-free travel may become the source of an increase in irregular migration, deliberately provoked by countries looking to overwhelm the EU's asylum system and sow political disunity. This doesn't make a whole lot of sense given that Belarus - the current source of irregular migration as alleged 'hybrid warfare' - has had its visa-free travel suspended, and it is unclear how or why any other country which does enjoy the privilege would use their own citizens in such a way. More broadly, the new system would also make it easier to trigger a suspension if there is a sharp increase in asylum applications from citizens of a given country. It would also clamp down if a country has a so-called 'Golden Visa' system, where wealthy foreign nationals (i.e. Russians) can effectively buy citizenship of a country with visa-free travel and then get into the EU that way. Vanuatu, which has such a scheme, saw its visa-free travel exemption suspended in 2022, and subsequently revoked. The reformed system will also make it easier to suspend visa-free travel for citizens of countries involved in human rights breaches or non-compliance with international court decisions. According to Euronews, it is suspected this mechanism may be invoked against Israeli citizens, amid the ongoing war in Gaza, and also possibly against Serbia due to human rights issues there. Notably, part of the mechanism appears to allow for visa restrictions to be targeted against specific individuals, namely officials or legislators of a given country that may hold responsibility for human rights abuses. 'Visa policy can contribute to upholding EU values by ensuring that there are consequences when a foreign government breaches human rights and international law,' said Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec, after the new measures were provisionally approved. "In such cases, their government representatives and diplomats should have their visa-free access to the EU revoked, and this agreement makes that more likely.' The provisional visa agreement still needs to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council.
Economic Times
11-06-2025
- Economic Times
Schengen visa interview questions every Indian traveller to Europe should know
Live Events Is this your first visit to a Schengen area? What is the purpose of your visit? What do you know about the country you have planned to visit? When will you travel to the Schengen areas? Where will you stay when you're on holiday/studying in the Schengen area? What will you do if your Visa is rejected? How much will this journey cost you? What do you do for a living? Which company do you work for? How much do you earn? Which Schengen country are you planning to visit, and why? Are you going to seek a job in any of the Schengen areas? Where will you stay when you're visiting the Schengen area? How do we know that you will return to your home country within the allowed time on the Visa? How much will this journey cost you? Who is sponsoring your journey? What is the best time to apply for a Schengen visa? Top Schengen visa issuer for Indians: As summer travel plans begin to take shape, Indian travellers looking to visit Europe are being advised to plan ahead and choose their Schengen visa destinations wisely. According to the European Commission's 2024 State of Schengen report, Indian nationals submitted 1.1 million Schengen visa applications in 2024, making competition strong going into of the Schengen country you plan to visit, you must share essential details about yourself, your travel itinerary, and how you plan to finance your trip or study all your documents and supporting materials are ready and verified, you'll need to attend a Schengen Visa interview. This interview plays a key role in the final decision on your visa approval. Officers conducting the interview are trained to identify hesitation, evasion, or signs of misinformation, and may deny visas to applicants who appear dishonest or conceal details.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)As per multiple reports, here is a list of some of the most common questions that you can expect to be asked at the Schengen visa interview:The recommended time to apply for a Schengen visa is at least 3 to 4 weeks before your trip. If you are applying to a country that deals with a particularly large number of applications, like France or Germany, you may want to apply slightly earlier to allow extra days for your Schengen Visa's processing is also a good idea to allow for a longer processing time at busy times of the year and over the European summer holiday period (July to August). You can apply for your Schengen Visa by filling in a Schengen Visa application form, and booking an appointment at a consulate, embassy, or visa application issued the highest number of Schengen visas to Indian applicants last year, with 1,91,162 visas granted. France followed with 1,65,564 visas issued. Sweden completed the top 10, approving 28,109 out of 32,939 applications.
