Delay In Schengen Visa, No Appointments Until September Amid High Demand

Travellers from non-EU countries who require a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area may have to postpone or reschedule their summer vacation plans if they have not yet received a visa. The reason for this is a subsequent delay in visa issuance by Western and Central European missions, and there are no appointments available until mid-September 2022.

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows an individual to travel or do business for up to 90 days in any nation that is a part of the Schengen Area.

According to a report in ET times;

“All appointments for Schengen visas (business, tourist and visitor visas, trade fair visitors and exhibitors) are fully booked or already overbooked until mid-September.

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The dates for October will be released by VFS (Visa Facilitation Service Global) at the beginning of August and can then be booked accordingly. Appointments are always released at least two months in advance. Early booking is recommended. Short-term trips are not possible.”

Delay In Schengen Visa

We previously reported that visa delays to the US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Greece were cause for concern and the major reasons behind the long delays are a shortage of staff and high demand for tourist visas.

India raised the issue of visa delays with EU missions

In order to simplify the visa application process for Indians, particularly for student visas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, said that it is in discussions with Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, UK, and the USA.

Senior diplomats from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, the UK, and the USA were asked to expedite and explain the application process after the MEA brought up the issue of student visas.

What can you do to ensure you get your visa on time?

If you have already applied for a Visa, there is nothing you can do; however, if you have not yet applied, experts recommend that you do so as soon as possible.

According to VFS, “Most countries accept visa applications up to three months in advance. According to the revised Schengen visa code, one can apply for a Schengen visa up to six months before the date of travel.“

If you are determined to travel for vacation, you could also choose Turkey, Egypt, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, which offer quick visa procedures and no delays as of now.

If you wish to visit a country that doesn’t require a visa, we’ve compiled a list of 60 countries where Indian passport holders will be able to travel visa-free* in 2022.