- Indian applicants must leave Field 11 blank as India does not issue a compatible National Identity Number.
- Avoid entering Aadhaar or PAN details in the identity field to prevent processing delays or document inconsistencies.
- Ensure your passport number is entered correctly in the travel document section instead of the identity box.
Indian Schengen visa applicants should leave Field 11, the National Identity Number box, blank. For Indian citizens, Aadhaar, PAN, and passport number do not belong in that field, and entering them often creates avoidable delays.
The rule is simple. Field 11 asks for a national identity number “where applicable.” India does not issue one that fits this Schengen visa form. Official EU visa guidance on the European Commission Schengen visa page confirms the form is meant for countries that issue such a number. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most Indian refusals come from missing documents, weak travel proof, or mismatched details, not from leaving this field empty.
Why Field 11 Stays Empty for Indian Applicants
The Schengen visa form is standardized across the Schengen Area. It asks for personal details, travel document data, and background information so consulates can check identity and travel history.
Field 11 is different. It is not a mandatory Indian number box. It only applies where a country uses a national identity system. Many European states do. India does not use Aadhaar or PAN for this purpose.
That means:
- Aadhaar is not a Schengen National Identity Number.
- PAN is not a Schengen National Identity Number.
- Your passport number belongs in the travel document field, not Field 11.
If you write any of those numbers in the wrong place, staff may treat the form as inconsistent with the rest of your documents. That slows processing and can lead to questions at the visa center.
The Correct Way to Complete the Form
Indian applicants usually complete the Schengen form before submitting biometrics at a VFS Global center or a consulate-linked service point. Germany’s VIDEX tool and similar embassy systems use the same field layout, so the rule for Field 11 stays the same everywhere.
Follow this sequence:
- Download the official form from the embassy, consulate, or visa portal for the country that is your main destination.
- Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Leave Field 11 blank if you are an Indian citizen.
- Enter your passport number in the travel document section.
- Print, sign, and date the form after checking every entry.
If you apply online first, review the final PDF before printing. The barcode page must print clearly. A blurred barcode can cause submission problems at the visa center.
The Timeline From Form to Decision
The normal Schengen visa journey has a few stages, and each one has its own timing.
First comes the online or paper application. Many applicants complete the form at home, then book a VFS appointment. After that, they attend biometrics, where fingerprints and a photo are taken unless biometrics were already given within the last 59 months.
Then the file goes to the consulate for review. Standard processing is usually 15 days. Busy periods can extend that to 30 days, and sometimes up to 60 days.
Indian applicants are advised to apply 15 to 180 days before travel. A safer window is 30 to 45 days early, especially before school holidays, summer travel, and year-end trips.
The visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12.
Documents That Matter More Than Field 11
A blank National Identity Number field does not weaken your case. What matters is whether the rest of the file is complete and consistent.
Most applicants need:
- A passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the planned stay
- Two biometric photos
- Travel insurance with €30,000 coverage
- Flight itinerary
- Hotel booking or other accommodation proof
- Six months of bank statements
- A cover letter
- Civil status documents, if relevant
Consulates look closely at financial stability and return intent. That is where many Indian applications face trouble. A clean form helps, but it does not replace proof that the trip is real and the applicant will return to India.
Country Differences That Still Affect Indian Applicants
The form is the same, but submission rules vary.
Germany often requires the VIDEX online form and then a printout for submission. France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark use similar Schengen forms, but appointment systems and document checks differ. Some locations accept agent submission only when biometrics are not needed.
Wherever you apply, the same principle applies: Field 11 stays blank for Indian applicants. Consulates do not expect Aadhaar, PAN, or a passport number there.
If your travel plan covers several Schengen countries, apply to the country where you will spend the most time. If the stay is split evenly, apply through the country of first entry. List all countries in the itinerary section so the route is clear.
Mistakes That Slow Indian Applications
Small errors create the biggest delays. The most common problems are:
- Writing Aadhaar in the National Identity Number field
- Putting the passport number in the wrong box
- Leaving a required field incomplete
- Using different spellings of the name across documents
- Signing the form in the wrong place
- Forgetting to print the barcode page clearly
If you make a mistake in Field 11, print a fresh form. Do not cross out the error by hand. A clean reprint is safer.
What Happens at VFS and After Submission
At the VFS counter, staff check the form, passport, photos, insurance, and supporting papers. They then collect biometrics if needed and forward the file.
After submission, applicants usually track the case through the VFS system. Decisions are often sent by email or made available for passport pickup. The form itself does not trigger the decision. The supporting evidence does.
That is why the National Identity Number field should not distract applicants from the parts that matter most: travel purpose, finances, ties to India, and complete documentation.
Practical Notes for 2026 Applicants
The Schengen process is becoming more digital, but Indian applicants still print and submit documents in person in most cases. Online pre-filling saves time, yet the final package must still be correct on paper.
For Indian travellers, the message is clear: leave Field 11 blank, use the passport number only where asked, and keep Aadhaar and PAN out of the Schengen identity field. That small detail keeps the application aligned with the form’s design and avoids confusion at the visa desk.
VisaVerge.com reports that careful form completion, early booking, and strong supporting documents remain the best way to reduce delays for Indian Schengen visa applicants.
Quick Reference for the Form
- Field 11: National Identity Number — leave blank
- Aadhaar — do not enter
- PAN — do not enter
- Passport number — enter only in the travel document field
- Biometrics — usually required unless recently given
- Processing time — usually 15 days, longer in busy periods
