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After completing all the steps of a Schengen Visa application, you will have to wait for the embassy to inform you about your application. Whether you receive the visa or not, it all depends on your situation, and on the criteria set by the Schengen States. Many people do not have the patience to wait for an answer, and often make phone calls to the embassy. Keep in mind that most embassies will not give any information over the phone on your visa application.
However, the embassy has general rules on the time a Schengen visa application processing takes. There are rules on the time (the earliest and the latest) a visa application should be lodged as well.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Schengen Visa?
It takes 15 days to process a Schengen visa. After 15 days, the embassy gives a decision on the Schengen visa application.
However, Schengen visa processing time may vary in some specific situations. In individual cases, the visa processing time may be extended to 30 days after the interview, or in some very specific situations to 60 days.
Countries Subject to Extended Periods of Processing Times
An extended period of Schengen visa processing may especially happen in cases when some Schengen States require to be consulted on visa applications submitted to the other Schengen States by citizens of some certain third countries. Currently, such consultation is required for the nationals of the following countries:
- Western Sahara
- Algeria
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus*
- Republic of the Congo
- Egypt**
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kyrgyzstan
- North Korea
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia**
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Yemen
*Applies only to holders of diplomatic and service passports.
**Does not apply to holders of diplomatic and service passports.
When is the Best Time to Apply for a Schengen Visa?
There may be different suggestions on when to apply for a Schengen visa depending on the country you wish to visit, and from where you are applying. However, the Schengen rules clearly say that the earliest you can apply is three months prior to your planned travel to the Schengen Zone, and the latest is two weeks prior to your trip.
You are highly recommended to apply for a Schengen visa as early as you can. This way you can avoid any possible delays, in case the embassy is receiving a lot of applications at the time.
Applying for a Schengen Visa during the Holiday Season
The Holiday Season is the most unfavorable time of the year to apply for a visa. The reason behind this is that many people plan to spend their vacations in Europe and file their applications at that time.
This is why during the holiday season you should submit your Schengen application the earliest you can. Three months prior to your travel will be perfect. Not only you will be able to complete the procedures on time, but also in case of any delays by the embassy, the risks to lose your vacation will be lower.
Who Processes Schengen Visa Applications?
Only the Schengen embassies have the right to process visa applications. In case the embassy of one certain country has outsourced visa application collecting to the embassy of another country that means the processing is done by the embassy, which collects the visa as well. Though you may be able to submit your Schengen visa application at one of the following:
- the embassy of the country you intend to visit itself,
- one of its consulates,
- a visa application center which provides visa services on behalf of that country,
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FAQs
Which Schengen Visa is fastest processing? ›
iVisa.com has three available Germany Schengen Visa: Processing Time: the standard one takes 10 business days, the rush one lasts about 6 business days, and the super rush, the fastest one, takes only 4 business days to process your application.
How long does visa processing take Schengen? ›You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
How long is processing time for VFS Global? ›It may take up to 6-7 working days for your application to be reviewed. Our help lines and customer care teams will not be able to provide any additional information.
Which is the toughest country to get Schengen Visa? ›Which Countries Have The Highest Rejection Rates? According to Schengen Visa Statistic 2021, the 4 countries with the highest rejection rates were: Sweden, Norway, France, and Denmark. These 4 countries were more likely to reject a visa application than any other Schengen country.
Can I get Schengen visa in 2 weeks? ›Due to the peak season, it currently takes an average time of 15 days to process your Schengen visa application.
How long does it take to process Schengen visa from USA? ›It takes 15 days to process a Schengen visa.
After 15 days, the embassy gives a decision on the Schengen visa application. However, Schengen visa processing time may vary in some specific situations.
This may happen because more applications mean more documents for the Embassy officers to deal with. Some Schengen countries such as France, Spain, Italy or Germany receive a very high number of applications, meaning your application may be slightly delayed.
How will I know if my Schengen visa is approved? ›You will receive an email update when your decision has been returned to the Schengen Visa Application Centre. If you can't access email easily, or would like more detailed tracking information, you may also be able to get updates by SMS sent directly to your phone.
How long does it take to get Schengen visa in USA 2022? ›You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance. In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.
How do I know if my visa application was successful from VFS? ›Once your application is submitted, you can track its progress through VFS Global's online tracking service. The status will be updated as and when your passport is ready for collection/delivery. Please be advised that VFS Global cannot track your application while it is being assessed within an embassy or consulate.
Does VFS Global take visa interview? ›
During the examination of an application, the Embassy/Consulate may call the applicant for an interview. If you should be called for an interview, please contact us to schedule the date and time.
Which Schengen Visa is easy to get from us? ›Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa, with one of the lowest rejection rates, specifically 1.3%. The total number of applications in 2021 was 2,384, from which 2,296 were issued.
Why precarious? Because applying for a visa is like tightrope walking: if you take one wrong step, you slip and fall down. You then need to begin from scratch. The rejection rate of a tourist visa by any Schengen country has been at an all-time high in the last three years, with a 13.4% rejection rate in 2021.
Which country has highest visa rejection rate? ›| No. | Schengen consulate | Refusal Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RUSSIAN FEDERATION | 1.55% |
| 2 | CHINA | 3.73% |
| 3 | INDIA | 9.34% |
| 4 | TURKEY | 8.45% |
Submit your Tourist Schengen Visa application at least 15 calendar days prior to your planned journey to the Schengen Area. This is the latest you can file your application. On the other hand, the earliest you can apply for a Tourist visa to the Schengen Zone is three months before your trip.
Can I walk in for Schengen visa? ›Walk In Without Appointment*
If you need to submit your visa application on an urgent basis, walk into our Visa Application Centre and opt for this service. VFS Global will process your visa application without a pre-booked appointment.
The Schengen visa processing time around the world is approximately two weeks. Still, depending on your case, your application may take longer to be processed. In specific cases, the embassies take 30 days to process a visa, whereas in extraordinary cases you will have to wait for 60 calendar days.
Which Schengen country is easy to get visa in 2022? ›According to data for 2021 the easiest visas to apply for in 2022 and their rejection rates are as follows: Luxembourg – with a rejection rate as low as 1.2 percent out of total 2,383 Schengen visa applications received. Slovakia – 2.7 percent out of 3,886 applications. Lithuania – 2.8 percent out of 24,764 ...
How do I expedite my Schengen visa application? ›Quick note: Applying to another Schengen Country is by far the easiest way to speed up the Schengen Visa application process. If this is something that makes you nervous, please don't be, as it's perfectly fine to do this. You can read more about applying to a Schengen Country you're not going to, here.
Can I apply for Schengen visa 3 months in advance? ›The allowed period to apply for a Schengen visa is as follows: The earliest you can file a visa application: six months before you start your planned trip. The latest you can file a visa application: at most 15 working days before you intend to travel.
How long does it take for VFS to return passport? ›
“Customers with a passport submission letter must fill the webform on our website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can/.Submission of passports at our visa application centres is strictly prohibited… return of your stamped passport may take upto 14 days once delivered to the high commission,” VFS says.
Does VFS reject visa? ›The decision to refuse the visa includes the reasons on which the refusal was based. You can appeal the refusal. The appeal must be submitted within 15 days of the receipt of visa refusal to the Consulate that decided to refuse the visa.
How do I know if my visa is under process? ›To track your visa application, you need the application number and reference number. When you submit your visa application to any visa service provider, ask them to give you the application number and reference number so you can track the visa yourself through the channels mentioned herein.
Is VFS Global worth it? ›VFS Global is often the only visa processing choice for travelers, but its bad reputation has led a huge number of travelers to wish this wasn't the case. It has a very unimpressive rating of 1 star from 100 reviewers on Trustpilot, so it's recommended to look elsewhere when possible.
Does VFS make visa decisions? ›VFS Global and its staff do not play any part in or influence the outcome of your visa application. VFS Global can only provide services to ensure that your visa application is correctly filled in and submitted.
Does VFS Global verify documents? ›Check & Verify
Professionally trained VFS Global staff will perform a series of pre-checks and initial validation on certain key supporting documents, which will result in faster processing times by the Irish Visa Office in New Delhi on your application.
The US student visa (F-1 visa) is one of the fastest visas to process. In fact, the study permit is often processed directly before your embassy interview.
What is the shortest Schengen visa? ›Travelling on a short-stay Schengen visa
A short-stay Schengen visa lets you visit the Netherlands and other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Your visa will be valid for a specific period. This period may be shorter than 90 days.
According to the Schengen rules, one can obtain a short-stay visa for Europe for a maximum of three months within a six-month period.