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Time of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian CEO's 400-page Schengen visa application stack goes viral online; netizens find it relatable
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo 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.
Mint
27-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Options 360 CEO Kapil Dhama's 400-page Schengen Visa application goes viral, ignites ‘power of passport' debate
Travel documents required to obtain visas for foreign countries may become a hassle for many, and the founder and CEO of Options 360, Kapil Dhama, recently showcased his trouble while getting the procedure cleared for attaining a Schengen visa. In a social media post, Dhama shared a photograph of his nearly 400-page-long application for a Schengen visa, and this sparked a debate over the power of the Indian passport. Writing on X, Dhama said, 'Almost 400 page application for Schengen visa. Real power of passport,' he wrote. Schengen visa One can see a thick stack of A4 size papers, which Dhama claims are the documents needed for a Schengen visa application. His post has gone viral with more than 3.5 lakh views on X. A Schengen visa is required by an individual from outside the European Union, seeking a temporary stay in a country within the Schengen zone, which encompasses 30 European countries. Dhama added that he had applied for a Schengen visa through VFS. According to details, VFS, a private agency, helps governments handle visa applications by acting as middlemen between travellers and embassies. A traveller can submit his or her documents, biometrics (fingerprints, photo), and sometimes even attend visa interview at a VFS office instead of directly at the embassy. A few X users raised doubts about the authenticity of the entrepreneur's claims. They said their own Schengen visa applications were processed, but this amount of paperwork was not needed. '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,' X user Ayush wrote. 'Applied and recd 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 person added. '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,' a person claimed. '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,' X user Vikas quipped. First Published: 27 Apr 2025, 04:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian CEO's 400-page application for Schengen visa sparks debate: ‘Power of passport'
An Indian entrepreneur has shared a photograph of his nearly 400-page-long application for a Schengen visa, sparking a debate on the power of the Indian passport. Kapil Dhama, founder and CEO of Options 360, took to the social media platform X to share the controversial photograph. 'Almost 400 page application for Schengen visa. Real power of passport,' he wrote. His picture shows a thick stack of A4 size papers that Dhama claims are documents required for a Schengen visa application. His post has gone viral with more than 3 lakh views on X. A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a temporary stay in a country within the Schengen zone, which encompasses 30 European countries. In the comments section, Dhama explained that he had applied for a Schengen visa through VFS. VFS is a company that helps governments handle visa applications, acting as middlemen between travellers and embassies. Travellers can submit their documents, biometrics (fingerprints, photo), and sometimes even attend their visa interview at a VFS office instead of directly at the embassy. However, some X users raised doubts about the authenticity of the entrepreneur's claims, saying their own Schengen visa applications were processed with lesser 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,' X user Ayush wrote. 'Applied and recd 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 person added. '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,' a person claimed. '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,' X user Vikas quipped. Also read: Even Vir Das faces Schengen visa issues: 'Swedish embassy in their infinite wisdom…'
