One person in India was arrested in relation to securing Schengen visas for two Indian nationals who were headed to Sweden.
According to the Indian Express, the arrested individual is a 29-year-old agent from Uttar Pradesh, who provided Schengen visas to the Indian nationals who were cousins and were planning to reach Sweden via Rome, Schengen.News reports.
The accused, identified as Abhinesh Saxena, a resident of Shahjahanpur, was arrested following an investigation at IGI Airport and during inspection was revealed that the Schengen visas stamped on the two individuals’ passports were fake.
According to the police, he admitted to delivering fake documents and receiving money in exchange for fake travel arrangements.
Interest of Indians Travelling to Europe Increases Significantly in 2025
A recent report by visa-processing company Atlys has revealed that the number of Indian nationals looking to visit Europe has increased in recent years.
More specifically, Indians filed 29 per cent more applications for Schengen visas in 2025 than they did in the past. Some of the main destinations that interest Indians are Switzerland, Spain, and Italy, depending on the purpose for which they travel.
We’re witnessing a new wave of Indian travellers who are exploring the world with greater intention and curiosity. Travel today isn’t just about visiting landmarks, it’s about experiencing cultures, connecting with people, and creating lasting memories.
The report also reveals an increased interest among Indian millennials to visit Europe, as visa applications from this age group rose by over 23 per cent so far in 2025.
Moreover, the interest of Indians to travel to Europe is distributed into other cities except for the big ones, including Ahmedabad, Pune and Chandigarh. Visa applications from these cities have risen by 17.8 per cent recently.
Indians Are Among Top Visa Applicants for Schengen Visas
Every year, Indians emerge as one of the five nationalities with the most applications for Schengen visas, and the year 2023 was no exception.
According to statistics published by SchengenVisaInfoa total of 966,687 visa applications were filed by Indians for Schengen visas, ranking this country third in the world for most requests filed for Schengen visas.
Switzerland received about 189,646 visa applications, and out of these, representing the main recipient country for visa applicants from India. On the other hand, Lithuania received the fewest applications – only 697.