A Comprehensive Guide to European Work Visa for Indian Students

European Work Visa for Indian Students allows graduates to work in countries like Germany, France, Netherlands, and more, after finishing their studies. Most visas require a job offer, though some countries let you apply and look for a job onsite. European work visa fee for Indian citizens ranges from €60 to €350. 

 European Work Visa for Indian Students:  Europe has long been a sought-after destination for Indian students seeking international education and career opportunities. Most people dream of working in Europe after graduation. Indian students also wish to work in Germany, France, or the Netherlands, most of the time. 

 Europe has good career opportunities, a healthy lifestyle, and multiculturalism. However, obtaining a work visa may seem challenging. Let us see about the European work visa for Indians. 

Also read

1. Visa Guide and Steps for MBBS Students Going Abroad
2. Study in Europe for Indian Students in 2024: Fees, Accommodation, and Job Prospects

Why Europe for Work?

Europe is a wonderful place to work for numerous reasons. It's the location of a number of the world's biggest economies, a plethora of new business enterprises (mostly in the field of IT), and a very high quality of life. And of course, there are the advantages of learning new cultures, picking up new languages, and commuting to and from an immense array of countries with minimum effort. As an Indian, it's an opportunity to offer your skills on a global level.

What You Should Know About European Work Visa for Indian Students

Obtaining a European work visa as an Indian is governed by some regulations. Rules will be somewhat different from state to state in the European Union, but there are a few things you're supposed to do. The visa application process needs tie. 

Work Visas

You generally hear about those types:

•  Skilled Worker Visa: If the individual possesses a specific special skill or talent that is needed by a nation in Europe. You would most likely be required to already have an employment offer before that.

• EU Blue Card: An 'exclusivity visa' for the crème de la crème of foreign workers. It is an EU version of a 'Green Card' that provides intra-EU mobility for employment. You certainly will need a decent job with an agreeable salary for that.

• Job Seeker Visa: Some countries offer this visa, i.e., Germany. You can apply for the visa and enter the nation for a short time (e.g., 6 months) with the intention to look for employment. If you receive an offer, then you can convert your visa to a work visa. This is how you can obtain a European work visa without a job offer

A Guide to Settle in Europe for Indian Students

How Indian Students Can Apply for European Work Visa

It is most often done that way. You might start your Europe work visa application online by submitting forms, but most often you have to go to a visa center or embassy in person to get an interview and the development of original documents.

•  Get a Job (Sort of!): You will need an employer in Europe to sponsor your employment for the majority of work visas. The employer helps by providing you with a contract of employment.

• Check Requirements: Countries have different requirements. This will usually include your passport, photos, degree certificates, professional experience certificates, and an  offer of employment.

• Complete Application Form: Complete the application form yourself. You are normally able to do this online.

• Gather all documents. If required, translate them into the country's local language and stamp them.

• Pay Fees: Pay your visa application fee. We will talk later about the European work visa fee for Indian citizens.

• Schedule Appointment: Schedule an appointment with the country's embassy or its consulate.

• Go for Interview: Go for your interview. Be ready to respond with your job, why you should work in Europe, and what you will be doing.

• Wait for Decision: Wait after your interview for the decision.

Europe Work Visa Requirements for Indians

The visa requirements are different for each and every country. There are their own set of rules and regulations. To be offered Europe work visa for Indians, you would typically require these:

• Valid Passport: With proper white pages and validity.

• Job Offer/Employment Contract: (typically required on most visas) It establishes that you have registered employment.

• Educational Credentials: Diplomas, degrees, transcripts.

• Means Evidence: To prove that you can sustain yourself until your first pay comes through.

• Language Skills: Occasionally, and especially in countries where English is not spoken, you may need to provide proof of proficiency in host country languages (e.g., French, German).

• Travel Insurance: On initial entry.

• No Criminal Record: Police clearance certificate.

Europe Work Visa Age Requirement

There is no Europe work visa age limit. What you need the most is your qualification, experience, and physical fitness to do the job. Therefore, be you are young in your twenties or otherwise experienced and seasoned, you can be shortlisted if only you are professionally qualified.

Europe Work Visa Fees for Indians

The Europe work visa price for Indians, or Europe work visa cost, greatly differs according to the country. It also depends on whether you need a regular work permit or an EU Blue Card, for instance.

 Here is an estimate, but please do bear in mind that these are estimates and may be different. Always go to the official embassy website and see if there are pending charges.

Extra Charges

In addition to the visa fee, you can have some additional charges like:

• VFS Global service fees (in the event of application through a third-party visa application centre).

• Document translation fee (if your documents are not English or the local language).

• Travel for a visa appointment.

• Health insurance premium.

• Legalization fee for your academic documents (where necessary).

• Non-returnable: Visa fees are often non-returnable. That is, they cannot be returned even when your application gets rejected.

Europe Work Visa Processing Time

The visa processing time requires a lot of time. As this process involves documentation, verification, background check, and other requirements. The Europe work visa processing time is quite different, too. It varies on

•  The Country: Some countries are more disorganized than others.

• Type of Visa: More complex visas (e.g., Blue Cards) are processed earlier.

• Completeness of Application: If your application is fully completed, it will happen faster. Incomplete applications can create ginormous waits.

• Time of Year: Busy submission periods can induce extra delays.

• Embassy/Consulate Workload: They just have too many requests occasionally.

General Estimates

The time duration is not in the applicant's hands. Always apply as quickly as possible when you are being offered your job. Don't arrange flights or big plans until you have your visa!

Listed below are the approximate time durations taken for visa applications and their process. 

• Average Range: 1-3 months for most work visas. The average range is 1-3 months for most work visas.

• Faster Cases: Some simple cases, 3-4 weeks to finish.

• Slower Cases: Gap fill cases, or difficult cases, 4-6 months or more.

While a European work visa with no job offer is a dream in the majority of cases, it is best to get the job offer first. Make sure that you are target-driven towards your target, which is getting the job offer, prior preparation of your documents, and familiarity with rules, charges, and processing time of your host country.