Schengen Visa center opens in Lucknow; Check out steps to apply and documents required

In a bid to boost convenience for those applying for visa for travelling to Schengen countries, VFS Global has set up a joint visa application center in Lucknow, which will begin accepting applications from Feb 9. Travelers can now apply for Schengen visa for 12 countries at the said application center, including Austria, Portugal and Switzerland among others.

Before moving on, it must be made clear that a Schengen visa is valid only if you are traveling to one of the Schengen countries for tourism and business purposes for a maximum of 90 days. If you want to work or move to that country for an extended duration, you will have to apply for a national visa.

If your trip falls in the Uniform Schengen visa ambit of 90 days, follow these steps to apply:

• First, you need to determine what type of visa you need, based on the purpose and duration of your trip.

• Then you need to schedule an appointment for your visa application at the center, which should be at least four weeks prior to the date of your journey.

• Once done, start preparing all the documents required for the visa, which will include your passport, civil certificates, photo identity proof, your flight-itinerary, proof of sufficient financial means, travel health insurance and proof of accommodation.

• Once ready, you can go ahead and submit your application, which must be done at least 15 days prior to the date your trip commences.

• After all the paperwork is done, pay your visa fees and submit a receipt of the payment as proof.

• And with that, your visa application process is completed and you can retrieve your visa in due time.

So, Lucknowites, do you have a trip planned to any of the Schengen countries in the coming months or two? Then you're in luck as the new visa application center is all set to start accepting applications from Feb 9.