Tag Archives: Schengen visa

European Commission in recent data revealed an increase in Schengen visa applications in 2023. India has emerged as the key contributor in this, securing the third spot in the rankings for the number of short-stay visa applications. The country has lodged 9.66 lakh visa applications in 2023, an uptick from 6.7 lakh applications in 2022.

Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS, said, “A PAN Card is not a mandatory requirement for a Schengen Visa. However, voluntarily submitting your PAN Card or additional financial credentials can enhance the overall strength of your visa application and provide further assurance of your financial stability to the authorities.”

The Embassy of Switzerland in India has clarified that it has not suspended Schengen visa appointments for Indian tour groups. “We have almost 800 daily appointments through the end of September 2023. These include 22 groups,” it stated.

All Schengen visa applicants lodging an application file from February 2020 and on will be subject to the new Schengen Visa Code, which among other foresee an increase in visa fee by 33.3 per cent. The updated Visa Code was adopted by the EU Council in June 2019 and it applies to all European Union Member States and associate countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement. From February 2, 2020, Schengen visa applicants will need to pay a fee of 80 Euro instead of 60 Euro per application.

Mumbai-based travel company Namaste Tourism has now partnered with a Croatia-based regional expert, Adriatic DMC, to represent them in the Indian market. Adriatic DMC is a Balkan regional destination management company and specialises in travel programs to the Balkan region including Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia and Macedonia. Subhash Motwani, Director of Namaste Tourism, said, “We are thrilled to represent Adriatic DMC, the first DMC in India to offer tours to the entire Balkan region. It has a wide range of product available in this growing region, and with a multiple entry Schengen visa you can travel to several Balkan countries.” It will help travel agents and tour operators in India to plan unique itineraries for their customers who are on the lookout for new destinations. “While Indian travelers are shy about discovering new destinations, we are positive that the mix of history, culture and unparalleled natural heritage combined on our bespoke tours will be a fit and of great interest for the travelers in this market,” said Srdjan Kristic, Managing Director of Adriatic DMC.