Luxembourg Visiting Family / Friends Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
A Schengen Type C visa for Indian travellers visiting family or friends living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Valid up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The defining requirement: the Luxembourg-side host fills the formal Prise en Charge (Obligation of Sponsorship), signs it, and gets it STAMPED by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Luxembourg (MAEE) — the original (certified true copy) or digital copy is mandatory at VFS. Indian-side affidavits are NOT a substitute. Proof of family relationship (or, for friends, evidence of the connection — photos / chats / past meetings) is required separately.
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Luxembourg — Schengen member · Embassy New Delhi (84 Jor Bagh) · Authorization to Stay rules everything
One Luxembourg visa = all 29 Schengen countries. But Tourist must submit in person, and Long-Stay D Visas need an Authorization to Stay first.
All India applications are decided by the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, New Delhi (84 Jor Bagh, ND-110003) through VFS Luxembourg centres. The Embassy is the single jurisdiction for India + Bangladesh + Sri Lanka + Maldives. For Long-Stay D Visas (Work / Study / Family Reunification / Researcher / EU Blue Card), the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg issues an Authorization to Stay (applied for at guichet.public.lu) BEFORE the D Visa — the original letter is required at VFS.
29 Schengen countries
Full Schengen member since 1995 — Luxembourg visa unlocks the whole zone, not just Luxembourg.
Regional jurisdiction
Embassy New Delhi covers India + Bangladesh + Sri Lanka + Maldives. Nepal residents route via VFS Kathmandu (Long Term only).
15 calendar days (up to 45)
Apply 4 weeks ahead (6 weeks during March–June peak). Files received <15 days before travel can be deemed inadmissible.
The Luxembourg rule the rest of Schengen doesn't share
- Tourist visa = applicant-only. Tourist is the ONLY Luxembourg category where reps / travel agents / company reps cannot submit for you. Plan to attend VFS in person. All other categories accept authorised representatives.
- Visit Family/Friends → Prise en Charge. The Luxembourg sponsor fills + signs the Formal Obligation, then gets it signed/stamped by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Luxembourg (MAEE). Original or digital copy is mandatory — Indian-side affidavits are NOT a substitute.
- Long-Stay D Visa → Authorization to Stay first. Apply at
guichet.public.lufor the substantive decision. Once issued, the ORIGINAL Authorization triggers the D Visa at VFS. Field n°31 (Employment) or n°30 (Family Reunification) of the form is mandatory. - Then book your VFS appointment, attend with biometrics + original documents, pay visa fee + ₹2,359 VFS service charge in cash / Visa / Mastercard / RuPay.
Three details Indian sites get wrong: (1) The Prise en Charge MUST carry the MAEE stamp from inside Luxembourg — sponsor-signed alone is not enough. (2) €0 visa fee for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC (relationship certificate must be apostilled / legalised; VFS service charge still applies). (3) VAYD/ODMV doorstep biometrics available at ₹9,900 solo / ₹7,500 each for 2–10 applicants — useful for cities outside the 11 VFS hubs.
Bangladesh / Sri Lanka / Maldives residents: Long-Stay D Visa applications can be sent directly to the Embassy of Luxembourg, New Delhi via prepaid courier — the regional jurisdiction routes through Delhi rather than a local VFS centre. Nepal residents apply at VFS Kathmandu (Long Term only).
Note: SureshotVisa handles the 5 Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) categories — Tourist, Business, Visit Family/Friends, Cultural/Sport/Conference, Family of EU/EEA/Swiss — plus Airport Transit (Type A) end-to-end through VFS. Long-Stay D Visas (Work / Study / Family Reunification / Researcher / EU Blue Card / Investor) require an Authorization to Stay decision inside Luxembourg first — we handle the India-side VFS submission once that's in hand. Call us for category-specific guidance.
Processing
15 calendar days standard processing at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, New Delhi (counting from when the visa section receives the file from VFS)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen area-wide)
Starting Fee
₹9,650
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Luxembourg visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, New Delhi (84 Jor Bagh, ND-110003) is the single jurisdiction for India + Bangladesh + Sri Lanka + Maldives. Nepal residents route through VFS Kathmandu (Long Term only). Bangladesh / Sri Lanka / Maldives residents can post Long-Stay D applications to the Embassy directly via prepaid courier.
- 2MAIN-DESTINATION RULE: apply via Luxembourg only if Luxembourg is your main Schengen destination (longest stay or main purpose). If splitting nights evenly across Schengen states, apply through the country of first entry.
- 3TOURIST VISA = APPLICANT-ONLY SUBMISSION: the Tourist category is the ONLY Luxembourg visa where representatives, travel agents, or authorized company reps cannot submit on the applicant's behalf. All other categories (Business / Family-Friends / Cultural / Long-Term) accept authorized representatives.
- 4PRISE EN CHARGE for Visit Family/Friends: the Luxembourg-side sponsor fills the formal obligation, signs it, and gets it stamped by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Luxembourg (MAEE). The original (certified true copy) or digital copy is mandatory at VFS. Indian-side affidavits are NOT a substitute.
- 5LONG-STAY D VISA: an Authorization to Stay (original) issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg (applied for at guichet.public.lu) is mandatory BEFORE the D Visa. The D Visa is the entry vehicle, not the substantive decision. On arrival, the applicant must register with the local commune within 3 working days and apply for the residence permit (titre de séjour).
- 6Photo specification: 35mm × 45mm in colour on a white background, face 30–36mm chin to top of hair, dated within the last 6 months, no edits / filters. Photo pasted (not stapled) on the form. Name and surname written on the back of the print.
- 7Travel medical insurance: EUR 30,000 minimum coverage, valid for ALL Schengen countries, covering accident / urgent medical attention / emergency hospital treatment / repatriation. Must cover the entire trip including arrival and departure. Multi-entry visa applicants sign an additional declaration covering further journeys. NOT required for Long-Stay D if the applicant is covered by an insurance through the future employer / spouse / family member (e.g. Caisse Nationale de Santé).
- 8Indian passport must be machine-readable (handwritten Indian passports issued after 01.04.2010 are NOT accepted), issued within the last 10 years, valid 3 months beyond Schengen departure (6 months for Long-Stay D), with at least 2 blank pages. Submit the data page copy.
- 9Apply at least 4 weeks before travel (6 weeks during March–June peak). Files received less than 15 calendar days before travel can be deemed INADMISSIBLE and returned with the passport, unprocessed.
- 10Biometrics: fingerprints + digital photograph captured in person at VFS. Re-used for 59 months (5 years minus a day) — first-time applicants and re-applicants after 5 years must attend in person. Children under 12, applicants whose fingerprinting is physically impossible, and certain heads-of-State / national-government delegations are exempt.
- 11Indian Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgements are mandatory for short-stay categories: last 2 assessment years. Long-Stay D categories generally need 3 years (verify with the Embassy by category).
- 12Modes of payment at VFS: cash, Visa, Mastercard, RuPay. Optional services: SMS Facility ₹400, Premium Lounge ₹3,600, Prime Time Submission ₹3,500, VAYD/ODMV doorstep biometrics ₹9,900 (solo) / ₹7,500 each (2–10 applicants), courier facility ₹800 + courier assurance ₹1,200.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens visiting family or friends settled in Luxembourg
- Spouses, parents, children, and other relatives of Luxembourg residents
- Visitors invited by Luxembourg-resident friends (sponsorship via Prise en Charge)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone planning to settle, work, or study long-term in Luxembourg — apply for the appropriate D Visa with Authorization to Stay
- Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens travelling under Directive 2004/38/EC — apply under that route instead (see separate visa type on this site)
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Luxembourg cases — and win them.
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen Short-Stay visa fee — adult (Type C) | ₹9,650 |
| Schengen visa fee — child (6–12 years) | ₹4,825 |
| Schengen visa fee — child below 6 years | ₹0 |
| Schengen visa fee — nationals under Visa Facilitation Agreement | ₹3,750 |
| VFS service charge — per application | ₹2,359 |
Visa fees are set by the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in INR and tied to the EUR / INR exchange rate — they are revised every month-end. All fees and VFS service charges are non-refundable in case of refusal. VFS service charges are inclusive of CGST 9% + SGST 9%. Optional services: SMS Facility ₹400, Premium Lounge ₹3,600, Prime Time Collection ₹800, Prime Time Submission ₹3,500, VAYD/ODMV doorstep biometrics ₹9,900 (solo) or ₹7,500 each (2–10 applicants). Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens applying under Directive 2004/38/EC pay zero visa fee — but the VFS service charge still applies.
Documents Required
Personal Documents
- !Visa application form (duly filled, dated, and signed)
Schengen short-stay form for Type C; Long-Stay D form for Type D. Download from visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lux/.
- !One recent passport-size photograph — 35mm × 45mm, white background
Colour, full face, less than 6 months old, non-edited and no-filter. PASTED (not stapled) on the form. Name and surname written on the back.
- !Valid national passport + 1 copy of the data page
Machine-readable (handwritten Indian passports issued after 01.04.2010 NOT accepted), issued within last 10 years, valid ≥3 months beyond Schengen departure (≥6 months for Long-Stay D), ≥2 blank pages.
- ○Copies of Schengen visas obtained during the last 5 years (if applicable)
- ○Non-Indian residents in India: residence permit + supporting permit
Required only for non-Indian nationals living in India — present residence permit and any work / study authorisation.
Sponsorship Documents (MANDATORY for this category)
- !Prise en Charge (Formal Obligation of Sponsorship) — 2 sheets: letter + form
Filled and signed by the Luxembourg-side sponsor, then signed/stamped by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Luxembourg (MAEE). Original (certified true copy) or digital copy is mandatory. Indian-side affidavits are NOT a substitute.
- !Proof of relationship with the host
For family: passport copies + birth / marriage certificates. For friends (no legal relation): pictures together, chats, evidence of prior meetings — narrative supporting the genuine connection.
- !Copy of the host's Luxembourg ID / residence permit / passport
Demonstrates the host's legal residence in Luxembourg.
Travel & Accommodation
- !Proof of means of transport (reservation or booking)
Confirmed paid tickets are NOT required — reservations are accepted. Include intra-Schengen connecting flight / train / bus to Luxembourg. If travelling by car, mention the route.
- !Proof of accommodation in Luxembourg
Hotel booking confirmation, or for Visit Family/Friends — the signed/stamped Prise en Charge from the host (acts as accommodation proof).
- !Travel medical insurance — EUR 30,000 minimum, Schengen-wide
From an Embassy-approved insurance provider. Covers accident / illness / emergency hospital / repatriation. Period of validity covers the entire trip. Multi-entry: sign an additional declaration for further journeys.
- ○Complete travel programme — day-by-day itinerary with dates and places
Mandatory for Tourist; recommended for Business / Cultural. Reinforces 'genuine traveller' narrative.
Financial Documents
- !Status of personal bank account — last 3 months (original, on bank letterhead)
Must include the bank branch manager's name and signature.
- ○Letter from your bank (original) stating credit-card limit
Where applicable — supports financial sufficiency.
- !Indian Income Tax Return — last 2 assessment years
ITR-V + Form 26AS + Form 16/16A for cross-verification. Long-Stay D categories generally require 3 years.
- ○If employed — Salary slips for last 3 months + employment contract + leave-approval letter from employer
- ○If self-employed / company owner — Certificate of registration of the company OR GST registration OR similar document + business bank account statement
- ○If sponsored — Sponsor's documents (relationship proof + sponsor's bank statements + sponsor's employment / business proof)
For Visit Family/Friends, the Prise en Charge is the primary sponsorship instrument.
- ○If retired — Pension statements for last 3 months + proof of regular income from property / business
Minor-Specific Documents (if applicable)
- ○Minor with one parent — Notarised written consent from the non-travelling parent
Plus copy of the non-travelling parent's photo ID bearing their signature.
- ○Minor travelling alone — Notarised written consent from BOTH parents/guardians
Plus copies of both parents' photo IDs bearing their signatures.
- ○Sole-custody cases — Court order or other legal proof of sole custody
Substitutes for the consent of the absent parent.
- ○Birth certificate of the minor (legalised official copy)
Especially for Family Member of EU/EEA/Swiss applications.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
The journey.
7 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Confirm Luxembourg is your main Schengen destination
Apply via Luxembourg if your itinerary spends most time (or has its main purpose) there. If splitting time evenly between Schengen states, apply through the country of first entry.
- 02
Download and complete the Schengen visa application form
Get the form from visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lux/. Complete by hand or digitally, then date and sign. Paste the 35×45mm photograph on the form (do not staple).
- 03
Get supporting documents in order
Passport (machine-readable, ≥10-year validity rule, ≥3 months beyond return, ≥2 blank pages) + financial documents + ITR (last 2 years) + €30,000 Schengen insurance + accommodation + travel reservation + category-specific docs (Prise en Charge / invitation letter / etc.).
- 04
Book your VFS appointment online
Schedule at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lux/book-an-appointment. Tourist visa: applicant must attend in person — no representatives. Other categories accept authorised representatives or travel agents.
- 05
Submit at VFS in person + biometrics
Attend with all originals + copies, pay visa fee + VFS service charge (cash / Visa / Mastercard / RuPay). Biometrics (fingerprints + photo) captured at the centre — re-used for 59 months. Children under 12 are fingerprint-exempt.
- 06
Wait for the decision (15 calendar days standard; up to 45)
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, New Delhi decides. Transit between VFS and Embassy is 1–4 days each way depending on the centre. Files received less than 15 days before travel can be deemed inadmissible and returned unprocessed.
- 07
Collect your passport from VFS
Once notified, collect from VFS or use the courier service (₹800 + optional ₹1,200 courier assurance). Verify visa validity dates, entry type, and stay duration before leaving the counter.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Get your Luxembourg host to start the Prise en Charge 3–4 weeks before your trip — getting it stamped by the MAEE takes its own processing time inside Luxembourg.
- The Prise en Charge replaces both the invitation letter AND the financial-guarantee role of the sponsor — the host commits to covering travel / subsistence / accommodation if the applicant cannot.
- Indian-side affidavits do NOT substitute for the MAEE-stamped Prise en Charge — applications relying on affidavits get bounced.
- Insurance is still required even when accommodation is provided by the host — €30,000 minimum, Schengen-wide.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Prise en Charge missing the MAEE stamp/signature — submitted as host-signed only
- 2Indian-side affidavit submitted instead of the MAEE-stamped Prise en Charge
- 3Friend-visit applications without supporting evidence of the connection (photos / chats / past meetings)
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS Luxembourg India — Visa application form (Schengen Short-Stay / Long-Stay D)
Download the appropriate Schengen (Type C) or Long-Stay (Type D) PDF application form, complete by hand or digitally, then date and sign. Both forms are available from the VFS Luxembourg India website.
guichet.public.lu — Luxembourg's official government services portal (Authorization to Stay applications)
For Long-Stay D Visas (Work / Study / Family Reunification / Researcher / Highly Skilled / EU Blue Card / Self-Employed), the Authorization to Stay is filed through guichet.public.lu before the D Visa is applied for at VFS. Required documents and processing time depend on the category.
Prise en Charge (Formal Obligation) form — for Visit Family/Friends visas
The Luxembourg-side sponsor (family member or friend) downloads, completes, and signs the Prise en Charge. The original (certified true copy) or digital copy is then signed/stamped by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Luxembourg (MAEE). The applicant submits this signed/stamped document with their visa application — Indian-side affidavits are NOT a substitute.
VFS Luxembourg India — Online appointment booking
Book the VFS appointment after completing the application form. Pay VFS service charge in cash / card / UPI at the centre.
List of Indian Travel Insurance Companies approved for Schengen
Embassy-approved insurance providers — must cover EUR 30,000+ for accident, illness, medical emergency evacuation, and repatriation across all Schengen countries.
Harmonised Document List (Schengen)
Standard Schengen-wide harmonised document list — issued by the EU Council, applies across Luxembourg along with the country-specific checklist.
VFS Application Centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Luxembourg Visiting Family / Friends Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Prise en Charge and why is it the load-bearing document?+
Can I visit a friend (not relative) on this visa?+
Can SureshotVisa help with Luxembourg family-visit visas?+
Before you apply
Two ways to apply for your Luxembourg luxembourg visiting family / friends visa (schengen short-stay, type c).
Do it yourself
the risky route
- You guess which papers Luxembourg actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
With SureshotVisa
the approved route
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Luxembourg luxembourg visiting family / friends visa (schengen short-stay, type c) file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive luxembourg visiting family / friends visa (schengen short-stay, type c) on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their Luxembourg visa — the easy way.
From first-time luxembourg visiting family / friends visa (schengen short-stay, type c) applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through Luxembourg's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other Luxembourg Visa Types
Luxembourg Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Luxembourg Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) from India through VFS. Vianden Castle, Luxembourg City UNESCO Old Town, Bock Casemates, Mullerthal — the Grand Duchy in 90 days or less. Applicant-only submission.
Luxembourg Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Luxembourg Business Visa (Schengen Type C) for Indian professionals — meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and partner visits in Luxembourg. Inviting company letter required from the Luxembourg host.
Luxembourg Cultural / Sport Event / Conference Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Luxembourg Schengen Type C visa for Indian participants in cultural events, sports competitions, conferences, congresses, fairs, and academic / professional gatherings organised in the Grand Duchy.
Luxembourg Family Member of EU/EEA/Swiss National Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Free Luxembourg Schengen Type C visa for non-EU family members of EU / EEA / Swiss nationals travelling under Directive 2004/38/EC. Spouse, registered partner, dependent children under 21 or in ascending line, accompanying the EU/EEA/Swiss family member.
Luxembourg Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A)
Luxembourg Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A) for nationals of specific countries transiting through Luxembourg-Findel Airport (LUX) without leaving the international transit zone. Indian nationals are generally NOT required to hold a Schengen Airport Transit Visa.
Luxembourg Work / Employment Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Luxembourg Long-Stay D Visa for Indian salaried employees taking up employment in the Grand Duchy. Authorization to Stay from the Immigration Department of MAEE is mandatory before the D Visa. INR 5,360 flat fee.
Luxembourg Study Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Luxembourg Long-Stay D Visa for Indian students enrolled in full-degree or programmes longer than 90 days at the University of Luxembourg, LUNEX, Sacred Heart University Luxembourg, or other approved Luxembourg institutions. Authorization to Stay required.
Luxembourg Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Luxembourg Long-Stay D Visa for non-EU family members joining a Luxembourg resident (Luxembourger, EU national, or third-country resident with sufficient resources). Authorization to Stay from the Immigration Department mandatory. Field n°30 of the application form.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Luxembourg website and Embassy of Luxembourg. Last verified 2026-05-11. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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