An unmarried couple recently received their Schengen visas from the French Consulate in Chennai. They shared a detailed step-by-step guide, document checklist, and key strategies for a successful application.

A Reddit user shared their success story after both they and their fiancée received Schengen visas from the French Consulate in Chennai. Planning a honeymoon, the couple documented their application process in detail to help others in similar situations. "After weeks of meticulous planning and getting amazing guidance from Reddit posts, I'm happy that my fiancée and I have both received our Schengen visas from the French Consulate in Chennai!" the user wrote.

The user added, "Our trip was planned to visit Paris for 5 days and Brussels for 3 days."

Detailed Planning and Transparency Key to Success

The Redditor emphasized the importance of transparency in the application process. "Be 100% Transparent: If you have something in your profile that looks like a potential red flag (like a recent large deposit in your bank), don't hide it. Address it head-on with a clear explanation and supporting documents. Honesty builds trust." They also noted that "every document tells a story" and consistency across travel plans, NOCs, and passports was crucial.

Organized Documentation Made the Process Smoother

The couple submitted two separate, fully organized files, one for the sponsor and one for the sponsored applicant. "The Cover Letter is Your Voice: Don't just use a generic template. Use it to tell your story. Mentioning our wedding date was a game-changer, as it established the purpose of the trip (honeymoon) and a powerful reason to return to India," the Redditor explained. Other key documents included original passports, bank statements, travel insurance, employer NOCs, detailed travel itinerary, and proof of relationship.

The Reddit post concluded with advice for future applicants: "Organization is King: Arrange everything exactly as per the VFS checklist. Use paper clips. Highlight your names on joint bookings. Make it impossible for the officer to get confused. Print Quality: We printed passport/visa copies in color, which I highly recommend. Everything else was in high-quality B&W."

Schengen visa approved for France: 'Every document tells a story', couple shares complete guide and checklist