First-Time Schengen Visa Approved for 3 Indian Friends

Getting approved for your first Schengen visa can feel like an impossible dream, especially when you've never traveled abroad before.

That's why the story of three Indian friends is spreading like wildfire across travel forums. Earlier this month, all three received their Schengen visas to visit Switzerland, France, and Spain. The catch? Two of them had completely blank passports.

The trio applied through the Swiss embassy in Delhi on January 9. Only one friend had previous international credentials: a US visa and prior Schengen travel. The other two were starting from scratch.

But they had something more valuable than passport stamps. They worked at reputable companies, earned steady salaries, and organized every document the embassy requested. No shortcuts. No fake numbers. Just honest preparation.

Still, anxiety crept in during the waiting period. One applicant had switched jobs just a month earlier. His bank balance averaged around 150,000 rupees, not extravagant by any measure. Another friend worried her lack of travel history would automatically disqualify her.

They submitted employment verification letters, salary slips, income tax returns, and bank statements showing consistent balances over time. They created detailed itineraries for five days in Switzerland and four days split between France and Spain. They purchased travel insurance and booked temporary flight reservations through an agent.

Then came the hardest part: waiting for a decision that could go either way.

The Ripple Effect

When all three approvals arrived, the friends shared their experience online. The post immediately resonated with thousands of Indians dreaming of European travel but paralyzed by fear of rejection.

Questions flooded in. How much money is enough? Are fixed deposits required? Can you travel beyond your entry country? The friends answered every query with specific details from their experience.

Their biggest lesson? Consistency matters more than large sums. Bank statements showing steady income over months beat last-minute deposits every time. An average of 10,000 rupees per person per day was sufficient when backed by stable employment.

They also clarified common confusion about Schengen rules. Yes, entering through Switzerland allows free movement across all Schengen states if your itinerary clearly states those plans. No, you don't need an expensive agent, just organized documentation.

The employment verification letter proved crucial. Unlike a standard no-objection certificate, it confirms your job title, tenure, and employment status. Both documents serve different purposes, and both strengthen your case.

Their message to nervous first-time applicants is reassuring. Clean documents, stable employment, sensible finances, and clear intent to return home can overcome a blank passport. Travel history helps, but it's not everything.

Thousands of would-be travelers now have a roadmap written by people who just walked the same uncertain path.