Planning a trip abroad often starts with excitement, but without a visa, the journey remains incomplete.
A visa is not only for tourism—it is also required for business, studies, training, medical treatment, and employment.
Visas are currently a hot topic, especially after the US increased H-1B visa fees.
Recently, the Trump administration announced a flat fee of $100,000 for H-1B visas, raising concerns among Indians.
At the same time, those planning to visit Europe have faced another setback—Schengen visa fees have also gone up.
What Is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa allows travel to 29 European countries with just one visa, instead of applying separately for each country.
Some of these include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands.
Maximum stay: 90 days within 180 days
Popular among: Indian students, professionals, and tourists
Benefit: Travel freely across Schengen countries (with conditions)
However, recent changes in the application process have made this visa costlier for Indians.
Schengen Visa Fee Hike for Indians
According to media reports, VFS Global, the private agency managing applications for most European countries, has revised its service charges for the first time since 2023.
The basic Schengen visa fee: around ₹8,000–10,000 for adults
Additional mandatory service charges by VFS (varies by country)
Rule effective: July 2025
New Visa Processing Rates (Approximate)
- Germany: ₹1,933
- France: ₹2,234
- Austria: ₹2,274
- Switzerland: ₹2,690
- Portugal: ₹3,111
Travelers say this extra cost adds to already high airfares, hotel prices, and insurance charges, making trips even more expensive—especially for students and researchers.
Why Is VFS Global So Important?
Most embassies do not accept direct applications anymore.
Instead, the entire visa process is routed through VFS Global.
Applicants must pay the additional service fee, which VFS says is approved by respective governments and covers:
Security measures
Additional staff/resources
Application handling costs
Travelers, however, feel there should be greater transparency so they know what exactly they are paying for.
Apart from mandatory fees, VFS also charges extra for optional services like:
Courier delivery
SMS updates
Premium lounge access
These extra charges, combined with the rising value of the Euro, have become a financial burden for many Indians.
Applying for a Schengen Visa
To apply for a Schengen visa, you must:
Have a confirmed flight reservation
Provide travel insurance
Submit bank statements, itinerary, and medical documents
Important: A Schengen visa allows entry only if border authorities are satisfied with your purpose of travel and documents.
It is not an automatic guarantee of entry.
