Schengen Visa Demand Surges In India, Travel Plans Disrupted By Interview Slot Shortages

India saw an uptick in Schengen visa applications last year, with the total reaching 9.7 lakh, marking a 44 percent increase from the previous year’s 6.7 lakh. India ranked second in terms of the percentage increase in applications, trailing only China. Despite the surge in demand, the lack of available visa interview slots disrupted the travel plans of many Indians.

“Appointments are simply not available with a majority of Schengen countries. If you want to travel to Europe this summer, the earliest appointment date for Germany and Italy is in July. This is making life very difficult for travelers,” Anil Kalsi, Vice President of the Travel Agents Federation of India, was quoted as saying by TOI.

The frustration among applicants and travel agents stems from the challenges posed by the unavailability of visa interview slots, leading to cancellations and financial burdens. “Not getting a visa in time means bearing huge cancellation charges,” Kalsi added. A spokesperson from visa processing agency VFS Global stressed that visa decision timelines are at the discretion of respective foreign missions.

They urged travelers to plan well to avoid last-minute surprises and noted that most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before the date of travel. The recent revisions in the Schengen Visa Code allow applicants to apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before their intended travel date. Despite these measures, the dearth of visa interview slots remains a critical issue for Indian travelers. Moreover, the EU’s policy of issuing short-term visas to frequent visitors worsened the challenges faced by travelers.

READ MORE: EU Eases Travel For Indian Nationals With Long-Term Schengen Visas Ahead Of Summer Vacations

Last month, the European Commission announced new visa rules to help facilitate easier travel for Indian nationals. Under the latest regulations, Indian citizens were given easier access to long-term Schengen visas with multi-year validity. “On 18 April 2024, the European Commission adopted specific rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the Visa Code that applied to date,” the European Commission said in a statement in April.

The revised visa framework — referred to as the “visa cascade” regime — allows Indian nationals residing in the country to obtain long-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for up to two years. The Schengen visa system permits holders to travel freely within the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries.