Obtaining a Schengen visa remains a significant challenge for Indian travelers in 2025, especially during the peak summer holiday season when European travel planning is at its highest.
Visa Traffic Jam: Every year, thousands of Indian tourists dream of a summer vacation in Europe, but in 2025, this dream seems trapped in a ‘visa traffic jam.’ For the fourth consecutive year, Indian travelers are facing immense difficulty in obtaining Schengen visas. Severe staff shortages, increased demand, and stringent visa regulations have complicated the process so much that many tourists are being forced to cancel their trips.
What is a Schengen Visa and Why is it So Important?
A Schengen visa allows travel to 29 European countries on a single visa. This includes France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, and many others. However, obtaining this visa has become as difficult as securing a seat in a highly competitive event. According to major Indian travel companies, the Netherlands visa processing time is now up to 45 days, while the waiting time for a Croatian visa has reached 60 days.
A further complication is that while documents are submitted in India, final approval comes from European consulates, lengthening the process. A travel agency official stated: "Our biggest challenge is that the visa is applied for in India, but the decision comes from abroad. This causes delays at every step."
Highest Demand for France, Germany, and Spain
France, Germany, and Spain remain the top choices for Indian tourists this season. However, visa appointments for these countries are extremely limited. An official from a visa processing company stated that slots open twice a week but are filled within 10-15 minutes. Shikhar Agarwal, Managing Director of BLS International, reported that applying for a Netherlands visa in Bengaluru alone took 45 days. His company handles visas for Spain, Slovenia, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, and other countries.
The visa rejection rate for Indian travelers in Estonia has reached 37-38%. This is causing many travelers to remove the country from their itineraries. Common reasons for visa rejections include incomplete documentation, unclear sponsor status, or an unclear purpose of travel.
Religious travelers have found some relief amidst this crisis. Visa processing has been relatively easier for programs like Pilgrim Visas, particularly those organized by church groups, but this facility isn't available to everyone.
Advice on Visa Planning
Travel experts and agencies advise Indian travelers to plan their European trips at least 6 to 12 months in advance. This will reduce difficulties in securing visa appointments and processing times. Abraham Alappat, Head of Service Quality at Thomas Cook (India), says: "Traveler demand is equally b this time, but visa hurdles are forcing them to stop. We are also advising them to consider alternative European destinations."
Instead of high-demand countries like Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, Indian travelers are now turning to countries like Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic due to quicker appointments and lower rejection rates. These countries are part of the Schengen Area, allowing travel throughout Europe after obtaining a single visa.
