Schengen Tourist Visa: Document Checklist & Interview Questions
Short-stay visa (up to 90 days) for tourism across 29 Schengen countries. Apply at VFS Global / TLScontact / BLS for your main destination.
A Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa lets you travel across all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply to the country where you'll spend the most nights (or your first entry if nights are equal), up to 6 months and at least 15 days before travel. The standard fee is €90 (€45 for children aged 6–12). Under the EU's visa 'cascade' for Indian nationals, frequent travellers who have lawfully used previous Schengen visas can get longer multiple-entry visas. Most embassies don't hold a formal interview, but staff may ask questions at submission.
Schengen Tourist document checklist
Required asked for in the official instructions Supporting carry if it applies to you — the officer may ask · Last reviewed October 2026
Mandatory documents
Financial documents
Employment proof
Other
Your ticks are saved on this device only. Requirements change — always confirm on the official embassy / VFS / IRCC website.
Common Schengen Tourist interview questions & sample answers
Sample answers show the style that works — short, specific and honest. Use your own true details; officers can tell when an answer is memorised.
Sample answerFrance, Switzerland and Italy. I will spend six nights in France, three in Switzerland and four in Italy, so I am applying to France as my main destination.
Know why you applied to this embassy — most nights / main destination rule.
Sample answerIt's our 10th wedding anniversary and we have always wanted to see Paris and the Swiss Alps.
Sample answerThirteen nights, from 3rd to 16th May.
Dates must match insurance, hotel bookings and flight reservation.
Sample answerI am paying from my savings. My bank statements show a balance of about ₹6 lakh.
Sample answerI am a project manager at Infosys in Bengaluru and have approved leave for these dates.
Sample answerYes, I visited Germany in 2023 on a Schengen visa.
If you have had a Schengen visa before and used it correctly, mention it — it helps a lot.
Sample answerIn hotels booked for every night. I have the bookings here.
Sample answerNo, this is a holiday trip only.
Quick tips
- The 'main destination' rule matters — applying to the wrong embassy is a common refusal reason.
- Insurance, hotels and flights must cover exactly the same dates.
- Explain any large recent deposits in your bank statement in your cover letter.
- Using previous Schengen visas correctly helps you qualify for longer multiple-entry visas next time.
Free downloads
Get help with your Schengen Tourist Visa appointment
Tell us your city and travel dates — we reply quickly. No advance payment.