Your Schengen file, complete the first time.
Consulate-wise checklists and free document tools, compiled from official consulate and VFS sources, with a visible last-verified date on every page. No agents. No guesswork. No fake papers.
Document file · France via VFS
Pick your consulate, get the exact file.
Requirements differ by country and by VFS centre. Each checklist below is built for Indian citizens applying for a tourist (short-stay) visa, with sources you can open yourself.
France →
India's highest-volume Schengen route. Checklist, fees in ₹, photo specs, VFS notes.
ChecklistSwitzerland →
The CHF 100 per day rule and approved-insurer list, with official sources.
ChecklistGermany →
Appointment-scarce. Checklist, slot strategy, and the any-centre rule.
ChecklistItaly →
Jurisdiction by state and Italy's official money table, explained.
ChecklistNetherlands →
The €55 per day rule and the gemeente-legalised host form.
ChecklistSpain →
Schengen's steepest money rule, applied through BLS, not VFS.
Generators that format your real details.
Itinerary builder →
Turn your trip plan into the day-wise, consulate-friendly format. Print or save as PDF.
Free toolCover letter generator →
A clear, honest cover letter from your actual trip details. The document most files get wrong.
GuideInsurance comparison →
Only policies meeting the EUR 30,000 Schengen rule, compared on price and claims process.
Free toolFile check →
A 2-minute completeness check of your file, with a shareable scorecard. Not an approval predictor; nobody can promise that.
The one number every Schengen file needs. Your travel medical insurance must cover at least EUR 30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalisation and repatriation, be valid in all Schengen states, and cover your full stay. Policies that miss any one of these get files rejected at the counter.
Our comparison of compliant Indian policies is in the build queue. Until then, check these three points on any policy certificate before you buy.
Why you can trust a page here.
Compiled
Every item starts from the official consulate or VFS page, never from another blog. The source link sits next to the requirement.
Verified
A human re-checks each page against its sources and prints the date on the page. Stale pages get re-verified monthly.
Corrected
Spotted an outdated requirement at your appointment? Every page has a report link. Traveller reports keep the checklists honest.
Quick answers, sourced.
How early can I apply from India?
At the earliest 6 months before travel, at the latest 15 calendar days before. Standard processing is 15 calendar days and can stretch to 45. For May to July travel, book your VFS slot 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
Multi-country trip: which consulate?
Apply to the country where you spend the most nights, your main destination. If nights are equal, apply to the country you enter first. Cruise itineraries have extra nuances; a dedicated guide is in the queue.
What exactly must my insurance cover?
Minimum EUR 30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid across all Schengen states for the entire stay. All three conditions, not just the amount.
Is there a fixed minimum bank balance?
No single official figure for Indian applicants. Consulates read your last 3 to 6 months of statements against your trip cost. Consistent balances matter more than a large deposit made last week.
Is VisaFile a visa agency?
No. We are an independent information and tools service. Every checklist links the official source so you can confirm each requirement in one click, and you submit your own application.