Travelers advised to prepare for high Schengen Visa processing times this summer!
If a European summer trip is on your mind, it is important that you factor in the long wait times and delays for Schengen visa appointments. Schengen Visa Application Tips
Titan Travel has created a helpful guide for travelers looking to avoid Schengen visa setbacks this year. The Schengen visa provides an appealing opportunity for tourists and business travelers to visit multiple countries in the Schengen area with a single visa.
Avoiding Schengen Visa Disappointment: A Guide to Last-Minute Appointments
However, recent security measures implemented by European governments have caused significant delays in processing Schengen visa applications. This has been compounded by a surge in demand for European travel and technical issues with online appointment booking, making it increasingly challenging to obtain a timely visa for travel. The guide offers tips on how to secure last-minute appointments and avoid the disappointment of being unable to travel to Europe.
Countries like Italy have little to no appointments available at present. While, other countries like Greece, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Budapest have available appointments but visa processing times could range anywhere from four to eight weeks.
Despite extreme delays, there are still a few countries that are processing visas in a matter of days. Spain, Sweden, Finland, and Georgia, are some of the few countries offering quick visa applications for people hoping to travel there.
Schengen Visa Application Tips for Approval
It is important to start the visa application process as early as possible. This ensures that you have enough time to complete all the necessary steps and avoid any last-minute delays. It is recommended that you start your application process at least 3-4 months before your travel date. But the sooner you start, the better to avoid any disappointments.
If you are looking to travel somewhere within Europe, it could be a good idea to plan your trip around the expected visa turnaround time and choose destinations based on the ability to obtain an appointment and the processing time of visas.
When completing your visa application, ensure that you have all the required documents and are thoroughly making sure the application is submitted correctly in order to avoid rejection or delays.
Avoiding Scams When Applying for a Visa Appointment
If you are time-constrained and are in desperate need of a visa, you can try and get a walk-in appointment if you have an office relatively close to you. Some people, with 15 days or less until departure, have managed to obtain an appointment through walk-ins, but be prepared to pay for a premium appointment fee which can start at around £185 (not including the visa fee)! Schengen Visa Application Tips
Be sure to avoid common scams or agency’s pretending to be able to get you an appointment and thoroughly check the websites you are using and the authorities that host these sites.
Ensure you are only visiting official websites in your locality to avoid being met by scammers and later disappointed!
