At Visafast Migration Consultancy, we provide you with a comprehensive guide to our end-to-end Tourist & Visitor Visa Services, designed to take you from initial planning to passport collection.
The Schengen Tourist & Visitor Visa
The Schengen Visa allows you to travel to 29 European countries with a single permit.
The Main Destination Rule:
You must apply to the country you are going to spend the most number of days. If stays are equal, you apply to the first point of entry.
Key Requirements:
- Standard Identity Documents
- Valid Passport: Issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after your intended return date and containing at least two blank pages.
- Old Passports: Must be submitted to show your travel history (a strong travel history significantly improves approval chances).
- Schengen Visa Application Form: Fully completed and signed. Many countries (like Germany or France) now require the form to be filled out via their online portals (VIDEX or France-Visas) before printing.
- Passport Photographs: Two recent photos with 70% to 80% face coverage, a plain white background and a neutral expression. No glasses or headgear (unless for religious reasons).
- Proof of Travel & Stay
- Round-trip Flight Reservations: A detailed itinerary showing your entry and exit from the Schengen Area.
- Note: You are not required to buy the actual tickets until the visa is approved; a ‘flight reservation’ for visa purposes is sufficient.
- Proof of Accommodation: Verifiable hotel bookings for every single night you spend in the Schengen territory. If you are staying with a host, you need an Official Invitation Letter (legalised by the local authorities in that country).
- Cover Letter: A personal letter addressed to the Consulate explaining the purpose of your trip, who you are travelling with, and a day-by-day travel itinerary.
- Financial Documents (Means of Subsistence)
- This is the most scrutinised section. You must prove you have roughly €50 to €100 per day of stay.
- Personal Bank Statements: Original statements for the last 3 to 6 months, signed and stamped by the bank.
Note: Avoid sudden large deposits just before applying, as they look suspicious to visa officers.
- Income Tax Returns (ITR): ITR-V or Acknowledgement for the last 3 assessment years.
- Salary Slips: If employed, the last 3 to 6 months of pay slips.
- Employment & ‘Ties to India’ Proof
- For Employees: An NOC/Leave Sanction Letter from your employer on company letterhead, stating your position, salary, and that your leave is approved.
- Copy of your Employment Contract or Appointment Letter.
- For Business Owners / Self-Employed:
- Business Registration Certificate (GST Registration, Partnership Deed or Shop Act License).
- Company Bank Statements (last 6 months).
- Company ITR for the last 3 years.
- For Students: No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the school or university.
- For Retirees: Pension statements for the last 6 months.
- Mandatory Travel Insurance
- Coverage: Minimum coverage of €30,000 or equivalent.
- Scope: Must cover all Schengen member states.
- Validity: Must cover the entire duration of stay, including travel days. It must cover medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
United States (B1/B2 Visa)
The US visa is interview-centric. The latest process involves the DS-160 form and a two-part appointment (Biometrics and Interview).
Key Requirements:
- The Mandatory Documents
- Original Passport: Current passport with at least 6 months’ validity and at least two blank pages.
- Old Passports: All previous passports to show your travel history (extremely important for establishing credibility).
- DS-160 Confirmation Page: The page with the barcode is received after submitting your online application.
- Appointment Confirmation Letter: The printout showing your VAC (Biometrics) and Consular Interview slots.
- MRV Fee Receipt: Proof of the $185 (approx. ₹15,500) visa fee payment.
- Photographs: Two physical copies of passport-size photos, white background, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months.
- Proof of Financial Solvency: The officer needs to see that you can afford the trip without working illegally in the US.
- Personal Bank Statements: Original statements for the last 6 months with a bank seal and signature.
- Pro Tip: A healthy balance for a 2-week trip is typically ₹5 to 8 Lakhs per person.
- Income Tax Returns (ITR): Acknowledgement slips for the last 3 financial years.
- Other Assets: Fixed Deposit (FD) receipts, Mutual Fund statements or Shares portfolio to show overall wealth.
- Professional & Occupation Documents: These prove your ‘Social and Economic Ties’ to India, the reason you will return home.
- For Salaried Employees:
- Employment Letter: On company letterhead, stating your designation, salary, tenure and approved leave dates.
- Salary Slips: For the last 3 to 6 months.
- Form 16: For the last 2 years.
- For Business Owners / Self-Employed:
- Business Proof: GST registration, Partnership Deed or Memorandum of Association (MOA).
- Company Financials: Last 6 months of company bank statements and 3 years of business ITRs.
- For Students:
- Bonafide Certificate: From the school or college.
- ID Card: Original student identity card.
- Sponsorship: Financial documents of the parent or guardian funding the trip.
- Purpose of Travel Documents
- Cover Letter: A brief, professional letter addressed to the Consulate outlining your travel dates, purpose and who is funding the trip.
- Day-wise Itinerary: A simple plan of which cities you will visit and when.
- Hotel & Flight Reservations: Note that the US Embassy explicitly advises not to book confirmed (paid) tickets before approval. Use tentative bookings or flyers.
- If Visiting Family/Friends: Invitation Letter from the host in the US.
- Host’s Status Proof: Copy of their US Passport, Green Card, or valid Visa (H1B/L1).
- Host’s Financials: Only if they are sponsoring your expenses (Form I-134, bank statements).
- Additional Specific Cases
- For Senior Citizens (60+): Pension statements or PPO (Pension Payment Order).
- For Medical Treatment: A letter from the Indian doctor explaining the condition and a letter from a US hospital stating the cost and duration of treatment.
- For Government Employees: A ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) is mandatory.
United Kingdom (Standard Visitor Visa)
The UK is notorious for ‘Paper-Based’ scrutiny. There is typically no interview; your documents must speak for you.
Key Requirements:
- Mandatory Documents (All Applicants)
- Current Passport: Must be valid for the duration of your stay and have at least one blank page.
- Previous Passports: Highly recommended to show travel history (especially to the US, Schengen or Australia).
- Visa Application Form: The completed online form from the GOV.UK portal.
- Appointment Confirmation: The receipt for your biometrics appointment at VFS Global.
- Visa Fee Receipt: Payment of £115 (approx. ₹12,500) for a 6-month visa.
- Financial Evidence
- Personal Bank Statements: Original, stamped/signed statements for the last 6 months.
- Income Tax Returns (ITR): Last 3 years of ITR-V (Acknowledgement).
- Salary Slips: Last 6 months (if employed).
- Other Liquid Assets: Fixed Deposit (FD) certificates or mutual fund statements (as secondary proof).
- Proof of Employment & Ties to India: This is vital to prove you will return to India.
- For Salaried Professionals:
- NOC / Leave Sanction Letter: On company letterhead, signed by HR, stating your role, salary and that you are expected back at work on a specific date.
- Employment Contract: Confirming your designation and tenure.
- For Business Owners:
- Registration Documents: GST Certificate, MSME registration or Partnership Deed.
- Company Bank Statements: Last 6 months of the business account.
- For Students:
- Bonafide Certificate: From your school/college.
- ID Card Copy: Proof of current enrollment.
- For Retirees:
- Pension Book / Statements: Showing regular pension credits.
- Accomodation & Itinerary
- Cover Letter: A detailed, professional letter explaining the purpose of your visit, who is travelling with you, and a breakdown of who is paying for the trip.
- Day-wise Itinerary: A simple table showing your planned activities
- Hotel Bookings: Proof of where you will stay.
- Flight Reservations: We recommend a Flight Itinerary only—do not book fully paid tickets until the visa is granted.
- If You Are Being Sponsored: If a relative/friend in the UK or India is paying for your trip:
- Sponsorship Letter: Stating the relationship and why they are paying.
- Sponsor’s Financials: Their bank statements (6 months) and ITRs.
- Host’s Legal Status (if in UK): Copy of their British Passport or BRP/e-Visa status.
- Proof of Accommodation: If staying with them, an invitation letter and a recent utility bill/council tax bill.
Canada (Visitor Visa/TRV)
Canada typically grants visas for the duration of your passport’s validity, making it a highly valuable permit.
Key Requirements:
- Mandatory Application Forms: All forms must be completed digitally via the IRCC Portal.
- IMM 5257: Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa).
- IMM 5645 or 5707: Family Information Form (must include all family members, even those not traveling).
- IMM 5476: Use of a Representative Form (only if you are using a consultant).
- Identity & Travel Documents
- Current Passport: Clear color scans of the bio-page. Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay and have at least 2 blank pages.
- Old Passports: Scans of all previous visas and entry/exit stamps from the last 10 years (crucial for showing ‘Travel History’).
- Photographs: Two recent digital photos (35mm x 45mm) with a white background, 80% face coverage and a neutral expression.
- Financial Proof
- Bank Statements: Original stamped and signed statements for the last 6 months.
- Income Tax Returns (ITR): Acknowledgment for the last 3 years.
- Pay Slips: Last 3 to 6 months’ salary slips (for salaried individuals).
- Liquid Assets: Fixed Deposits (FDs), Mutual Fund statements or Provident Fund (PF) summaries.
- Ties to India
- For Salaried Employees:
- Employment Letter (stating role, salary, and date of joining).
- NOC (No Objection Certificate): An official leave approval letter from your employer for the specific travel dates.
- For Business Owners/Self-Employed:
- Business Registration (GST certificate, MSME/Udyam, or Partnership Deed).
- Company Bank Statements (last 6 months).
- Company ITRs for the last 3 years.
- For Retired Individuals:
- Pension Payment Order (PPO) or pension bank statements.
- For Students:
- Bona fide certificate from the school/university and a Student ID card.
- Purpose of Travel
- Cover Letter: A detailed one-page letter explaining who you are, the purpose of your visit, your travel dates, and an overview of how you will fund the trip.
- Day-wise Itinerary: A simple document outlining your planned activities
- Flight & Hotel Reservations: Proposed flight bookings (do not purchase confirmed tickets until the visa is approved) and hotel vouchers covering the entire stay.
Australia (Subclass 600)
The Australian process is almost entirely digital. In most cases, you do not even get a sticker in your passport; it is an ‘e-visa’.
Key Requirements:
- Identity & Personal Documents
- Passport: A color scan of all pages of your current valid passport (must have at least 6 months’ validity).
- Old Passports: Scans of all previous passports to show your travel history.
- Photographs: Two recent passport-sized digital photos against a plain white background, showing 80% face coverage without glasses.
- National ID: Scans of your PAN Card and Aadhaar Card.
- Proof of Name Change: If your name differs across documents (e.g., after marriage), provide a Marriage Certificate or Gazette Notification.
- Financial Proof
- You must prove you can support yourself without working in Australia. A minimum balance of AUD 5,000 to 7,000 (approx. ₹2.7 to 3.8 Lakhs) per person is recommended for a short trip.
- Personal Bank Statements: Stamped and signed statements for the last 6 months showing a consistent savings history.
- Income Tax Returns: ITR-V forms for the last 3 financial years.
- Other Assets: (Optional but helpful) Fixed Deposit receipts, Mutual Fund statements, or Property ownership papers to show strong economic ties to India.
- Purpose of Visit & Itinerary
- Cover Letter: A detailed letter addressed to the Australian High Commission outlining your travel dates, purpose of visit and a declaration that you will abide by visa conditions.
- Day-by-Day Itinerary: A simple plan of what you intend to do.
- Flight & Hotel: Flight itinerary and hotel booking confirmations or invitations.
At Visafast Migration Consultancy, we help you with the End-to-End Application Process:
- Step 1: Initial Eligibility Assessment
- Step 2: Document Compilation & Verification
- Step 3: Petition Filing & Government Liaison
- Step 4: The Interview Prep
- Step 5: Biometrics and Final Grant
Book your Consultation Now for an end-to-end Tourist & Visitor Visa Application Support!
