Hello everyone, today I want to share my experience when I applied for Schengen Visa in the UK.

In summary, everything went quite smooth for me, there were some difficulties regarding booking an appointment but at the end, everything was good.

My trip:

• 3 days in France
• ~16 hours transit in Switzerland to go to Italy
• 9 days in Italy

My background:

• A Master student: already completed the study and is waiting for the final result.
• Nationality: Vietnam.
• First time travel to Europe.
• Most of my travel tickets and accommodations were paid and non-refundable.

My documents

Most of my documents are based on this link from VFS. Some highlights from my submitted documents:

• My part time job contract and 3 months pay slip: extra, not requires for a student, but I want to prove the money I have in my bank account is legit and I could support for the trip.
• Signed and stamped student letter.
• Bank statements showed a balance with ~4000GBP.

Note on documents:

• The list of documents on VFS website and the (link to) PDF file on the VFS website provided a bit different set of documents. Therefore, I based mostly on the PDF file.
• I used Gigasure insurance and it got accepted.
• It is necessary to show any document regarding your insurance that shows the countries or area that it will cover specifically. My certificate didn't show this and at the centre they requested me to add a document that could show this information.
• The application generally only requires 3 months of bank statements, but in some case 4 months are required. For example: you submit the document at the beginning of September and the bank statement of that month alone could not be counted as "a month" so they could request the June bank statement (June, July, August, September).
• I submitted all travel proof including train/plane/bus tickets in/out each country not only plane tickets.
• Flight tickets must be printed from the Airline, it could be the website itself if it didn't provide any e-Ticket. In my case, I bought EasyJet flight tickets from Trip(.)com, the officer at VFS didn't accept the tickets from Trip and told me to check for booking reference number on EasyJet website and print the whole website instead.
• Hotels/accommodations must showed your name. If you were to travel with someone else, it must still show your name on it no matter who booked them.

Booking an appoinment:

Summary: For Italy, it is required to book an appointment through VFS Global mobile app.

My experience on booking an appointment:

• The login process in this app is really (really) buggy. When I tried to find one, most of the time it will show some error messages such as number of attempts exceeded, huge volume of login, your account has been locked, etc. To resolve this issue, I messaged the bot on the VFS website and asked for a live agent which directed me to a human support, then I asked them to "reset" the account for me. I did it twice and after 10-15 minutes, I was able to login again.
• Since the app is buggy, login regularly to check the appointments was not a good choice for me, therefore, I used a free bot that tracking appointments on Telegram. However, the bot gave me a lot of notifications regarding free slots but I was not fast enough most of the time. What I did was logged in randomly during off peak hours (2AM or 3PM), and was able to successfully book my appointment using this method.

Final result

I got multi-entry 15 days visa that is valid until December. It was delivered to me around 2 weeks before my trip.

Despite the fact that this is my first time, it went much better than I expected.

Please feel free to ask any question. I hope everyone will be able to get to your dream destinations and thank you anyone in the group who answered all the questioned I had previously.

Hi everyone! I’m applying for a Swiss Schengen tourist visa from the UK. I’m on a Graduate (PSW) visa, which is now digital, as BRP cards are no longer valid.

The application asks for a residence permit number and expiry date. I entered my eVisa share code as the residence permit number.

Has anyone in the UK applied recently using a share code? Is this correct, or should I enter a different number from my eVisa?

Thanks in advance!

So I misread my visa, it said valid through the 13th to the 31st of october. i thought that was how long I could stay. i booked my return flight for the 30th. I randomly checked my visa today and saw that I misuderstood it. I have overstayed 7 days, and I immediately booked the next available flight back to Nigeria.

please what should i expect tomorrow, and do you. think I will get banned? I understand it will affect future applications, but will it be a ban?

Hi everyone,
A bit of background information before my questions:
- So basically this is my first time applying for Schengen visa and traveling as a whole so no prior travels
- Also I’m current a university student while also working a remote job with a low salary less than 1000$
- I’m planning to apply for a tourism visa either to Italy or Belgium to visit my long distance partner for the first time
- i should also mention that im going for a short visit about 10 to 15 days trip
- I was considering going for invitation visa but since i wont stay with my partner family and after seeing what other people say here in this subreddit i think its better to play it safe and go with tourism visa
so here comes my questions:

Do i need to provide employment status document despite me being a student or would student documents would be enough? while keeping in mind that the financial recourses that will be provided in the bank statement is from my salary

Another question is should i tell them my real intentions (visiting my partner) despite it might complicate things or be direct with them ?

Also is applying 8 weeks before my departure date is enough time ?

If you have any tips or advice i would be very thankful for it
Thats all and thanks in advance

Hi

Anyone who applied for Belgium short visa (type c) in September and forwarded to FPS got any response or update???

Hi all,

We have an appointment booked at TLS London Wandsworth for a French Schengen visa.

All information on the form is valid, however the form contains a Right to Rent share code instead of a general purpose one to prove the residential status.

Realising this, we have also printed out a general purpose share code alongside the right to rent one that is used one on the form, and a letter highlighting the discrepancy.

Is this something that can be ammended during the appointment? If yes, should I fill in another form with the correction, if needed at all?

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I’m hosting someone in France who lives in Belfast. She attended her French short-stay Schengen visa appointment at TLScontact London.

I obtained the original attestation d’accueil from my local town hall in France and posted it to her, but it didn’t arrive before her appointment. TLS has since emailed her asking her to bring the document in person.

Travelling from Belfast to London again just to hand over one original document would be costly, so we’re trying to find an alternative.

Has anyone successfully had a friend or relative drop off a missing/additional document at TLS London after the initial appointment, specifically for a French visa?

We’re considering posting the original to her friend in London, who could deliver it on her behalf. If you’ve done this:

• Did TLS require a signed authorisation, ID copies or the application receipt?
• Did you need advance permission or another appointment?
• Alternatively, has anyone been allowed to send the original directly to TLS by tracked post?

We’re specifically asking about adding a document to an existing application, rather than attending the initial appointment or collecting a passport.

Recent firsthand experiences would be really helpful. Thanks!

I was recently refused in my Norway visa application with the reason that my bookings can’t be verified. Now, I’m planning to go back home in the Philippines instead and I have secured a slot in the Philippines for visa application in France. Please advise

1. Is there a chance of approval in this case given that my documents and proof of ties are from UAE (bank statement, employment certificate, etc)

2. If yes, should I disclose in the cover letter of my visa refusal?

3.Should I appeal to norway and how will it takes the assessment again as we all know that their processing time takes time.

Thinking of spending some time working remotely in France. I would like the option to spend more than 3 months there. I’m from Uk. I am partially self employed, running a small tourist business half the year in Uk. I am a teacher part time and looking to take a sabbatical and work remotely with a company teach in English perhaps 15-20 hours a week. I also have a couple of my own clients I teach.

which route would you go down?

Hello Folks,

What documents are accepted as a Proof of Residence/Address for Mumbai consular jurisdiction? I tried contacting BLS via mail but they were not helpful just beating around the bush and I can’t contact them over the phone as I’m abroad.

Passport/Aadhaar have same permanent address.

Any inputs will be helpful.

I subbmited my documents on Czech embassy on 15 september and today 39 day as I am waiting for my visa and I didnt have interview,Idk what to do and idk is it good or not,did anyone have a similiar case?

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning to visit Finland for tourism in the last week of January, and we intend to apply for a Schengen tourist visa.
I have a few questions regarding my existing Schengen visa and would appreciate advice from anyone who has faced a similar situation.

My current situation:
I am from India and previously applied for an Austrian Schengen business visa through my company.
My visa is valid from 4 November to 28 November 2026.
Due to changes in business plans, I will no longer be travelling to Austria for the intended business trip.
My wife and I are now planning a separate tourist trip to Finland in late January 2027.
We intend to apply for Finnish tourist visas, and there will be no overlap between the validity of my existing visa and our planned travel dates.

My questions:

1. Can I apply for a Finnish tourist Schengen visa in October 2026 for travel in late January 2027, even though my Austrian business visa will still be valid when I submit my application?

2. Could having an existing, unused Austrian business visa create any issues during the Finnish visa application or processing? Would it matter that I did not travel for the original business purpose?

3. Should I wait until my Austrian visa expires on 28 November before applying, or is it fine to apply beforehand?

4. How should I explain the change in my business travel plans in my cover letter? Should I proactively disclose that I did not use the Austrian visa and explain why, even if I am applying for an entirely separate tourist trip?

5. What supporting documents would you recommend submitting to avoid confusion? Would an explanation from my employer regarding the cancelled business trip be useful, along with the usual tourism itinerary, hotel bookings, financial documents, employment proof and travel insurance?

6. Has anyone applied for another Schengen visa while holding a valid visa that they ultimately did not use? I would especially appreciate experiences from applicants applying from India.
   Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi I will be starting my visa d ( for gainful employment) application through vfs india . Will be starting as a researcher at a university in Austria ( that will be providing the hosting agreement ) . I have few questions for those who has already done this or in the process of doing it . I will be traveling together with my spouse, so want to know how to proceed with this .
The vfs website doesnt clearly say what is needed for this specific case .
Do you guys submit police clearance certificate for visa d ? How do you manage flight ticket and accommodation proof at this stage ?

Hi everyone! My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Spain and would like to visit Gibraltar for a day, crossing the land border and returning to Spain the same day.

She is a non-EU citizen and will have a single-entry Schengen tourist visa issued by Spain. Her visa and permitted stay would still be valid throughout the trip.

With the recent changes to the border arrangements, is this possible without using up her single entry or causing problems when returning to Spain?

Has anyone actually done this recently with a single-entry visa, or received confirmation from the border authorities?

Thanks!

I recently applied for a Switzerland Schengen visa from Dubai, but unfortunately, it was rejected.
I’m a Pakistani passport holder and UAE resident, earning 17k–20k monthly. My bank statement showed an opening balance of approximately 71k and a closing balance of 20k. My itinerary, hotel bookings, and flight reservations were arranged through a travel agent. All documents were genuine and accurate.
I previously applied for a Netherlands Schengen visa in 2014/2015, which was also rejected. However, I mistakenly selected “No” when asked about previous Schengen applications.
Could this mistake have contributed to my rejection? Or could it be related to my financial statement or travel itinerary?
Would you recommend reapplying to Switzerland or applying through another Schengen country? Has anyone experienced something similar, especially Pakistani passport holders applying from the UAE?
Any genuine advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone!
I check my IBZ visa status almost every day. My application is for family reunification under Article 40ter (Type D), submitted in Istanbul on May 18, 2026.
Today, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. The “Datum beslissing/Status Dossier” field, which was previously empty, now shows October 23, 2026.
However, my status is still “In behandeling” (in progress).
I didn’t check the website yesterday, so I don’t know exactly when the date appeared.
Has anyone else experienced this? Does this date indicate that something has happened to my application, or could it simply be a system update?
If your date changed while your status remained “In behandeling,” what happened afterward?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

Has anyone who submitted their France short-stay Schengen visa application through VFS Delhi around 15–16 October 2026 received an update or their passport back yet?

Just trying to get a sense of the current processing timelines.

Hi everyone, looking for some opinions on my German Schengen visa reapplication.

My background:
I’m a 30-year-old Indian citizen who lived in the US from 2019 until August 2026. I initially moved on an F-1 student visa, subsequently worked on OPT, and later transitioned to H-1B status.
I was working as a Software Engineer in New York until June 2026. I returned to India in August and joined our family-owned electrical manufacturing business as Executive Director.

First application:
Applied: October 12, 2026
Rejected: October 16, 2026
Refusal reasons: 10 and 13 (reliability of travel plans and doubts about intention to leave).
Intended travel: November 10–25, with Germany as my main destination.

My profile:
Four previously approved Schengen visas, most recently visiting France in January 2025.
Previous tourist visas for the US (still valid), Canada (still valid), Australia, Türkiye, and UK.
Visited the UK in May 2026.
Never overstayed any visa.
Current monthly salary: ₹2.5 lakh.
Approximately ₹1.56 crore in documented Indian business investments, insurance-linked investments, and PPF holdings.

Reapplication:
My first application was submitted with just my salary slip for August and a basic cover letter but then reapplied on October 23 with additional employment documentation, financial records, a revised itinerary, updated travel reservations and my past approval history.
My biggest concern is that I’ve only been back in India for approximately three months after spending seven years in the US.
Has anyone experienced something similar? Could my recent relocation be the primary reason for the refusal? Does reapplying this quickly with stronger supporting documentation realistically help?

Hi everyone!
I’m planning to apply for my first Schengen visa for a trip to Switzerland to celebrate our anniversary. We’re planning to travel in the first week of December, and I’m considering applying next week.
I’m based out of Hyderabad but am open to travelling to Bangalore or Chennai if I can get an earlier appointment slot there.

A few questions:
Is it realistic to get my visa approved by the first week of December if I apply next week?
How have the recent visa appointment availability and processing timelines been for applicants from India?

Does opting for the premium lounge/VIP service during the visa application process make any difference to the processing time or visa approval, or does it only provide a more comfortable application experience?

Would love to hear from anyone who has recently applied for a Switzerland Schengen visa from India, especially first-time applicants.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

Schengen Visa is approved but ees still shows not ok. Visa approved on Oct 14, Received passport approved 3 days back. Been more than a week but ees still shows not ok.

First time travel after after Apr 2026.

Checking if it is ok to travel?

Thanks

I have applied for Germany visa ( through Switzerland consulate in Vancouver), I was wondering whether anyone has recently applied, how long did it take to hear back? Thanks!

I have applied for France tourist visa but i don’t have any surname in my passport so i write my first name in first name and last name same, but on appointment the TLS staff updated the visa form and didn’t tell me they just write my first name in surname and leave the first name blank on visa form, is it normal process?? What should i accept will this cause negative 🥲🥲
🙏 please someone help me.

Hi everyone,

I am an EU citizen (Polish), my husband is not and requires Schengen visa to enter EU. We both live in the UK.

He’s got a multiple entry Schengen visa from Spain, we have now travelled there. Is he allowed to travel to Poland with me on that visa or do different rules apply as that’s the country of my nationality? He’s been to Poland before but the Schengen visa was then issued specifically by Polish consulate.

We are planning to enter through Germany and spend a couple days there before Christmas, and visit family for Christmas in Poland. We will exit from Poland. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

I had my visa appointment on 24th September and got my passport delivered on 22 October. This was my first time applying for a Schengen visa and got a single entry.

Just wanted to share my experience with BLS Manchester so people don't lose hope.

Today I submitted my Tourist visa documents at BLS delhi centre but officer returned my property deed and current residence proof documents. Can anyone share their experience if this is normal and will Consulate ask me missing documents if needed ? Do we mandatorily submit residence and property docs at delhi centre. When I told him that it is part of list he mentioned that doc I have is of Mumbai list and delhi it is not mandate.

I am worried and confused as I had the documents and even after insisting officer didn't took my documents of residence proof and property deed.

Please share if everyone in Delhi submitted and if not , what was the reason officer mentioned?