European Consulates Plans To Issue Schengen Visas For Indians Within 48 Hours

13 Sep 2014

In a bit to boost tourism revenues, the European consulates in Mumbai are issuing schengen visas for Indian tourists at a faster pace to entice them to make a move to their countries.

The consul general of France, Jean-Raphael Peytregnet, said that the French consulate in Mumbai has dealt effectively with the biometric collection process to minimize processing time. This has facilitated them to process almost double the number of visa applications each day.

Peytregnet added that this measure was in lines with the intent of prime minister of French to attract around 83 million to 100 million tourists every year. He added on saying that they are making efforts to process every visa application within two days instead of 15 days, which is the current time frame.   

Some 15 million tourists from India travel aboard every year, out of which 20% of them are transiting to Europe. Over the past five years, this percent has been increased steeply by 50%. It is anticipated that 30 lakh travellers from India head to Europe over each year.

Some consulates such as Spain, Italy, and Switzerland not only process the applications at a faster pace but also assist travellers with regards to documentation and other petty issues.      

A visa officer of a Schengen country said that India is an emerging market and they are planning to simplify the rules for tourists heading from India. As part of this move, the consulate has doubled the visa staff to effectively deal with the rise in applications.

In addition to schengen countries other gateway countries are making efforts to attract Indians. For example, Indians who hold a Schengen visa will be able to get an e-visa for Turkey within minutes.           

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