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TRWish I'd known these things before applying for Schengen visa the first time around.
1) Do not deposit large sums of money immediately before your visa appointment. Try to maintain a uniform bank balance for the past 3-6months. Any sudden deposit raises suspicion.
2) Do not book non refundable flights before your visa is granted. My top: lock and reserve your flight just a day before your visa appointment and once you get your visa, book your flights. The embassy doesn't need confirmed flight tickets, it just needs flight reservation.
3) Yes, Schengen visa without leave approval letter is possible. In my personal experience, I've not submitted leave approval letter twice due to delays in processing from office and I've mentioned the same in my cover letter. And I've gotten my visa each time.
4) Apply from the embassy where you are planning to spend the maximum nights in(in your itinerary) and not your first point of entry. This one mistake costs a lot of travellers to get their visas rejected.
5) Plan your itinerary in a way that makes logistical sense and not some random countries clubbed together.
6) Be precise and to the point in your cover letter. The embassy doesn't want to read through your history answers. Be crispy, precise, to the point and courteous.
7) If you have prior visas from USA, Japan etc, be sure to attach a copy with your application. If not, it's completely fine.
If you need any help, do follow and comment or DM and I'll get back to you. Happy travelling!
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