Hi everyone, I’m working on a community feature piece about the “real” side of European travel documents. We always hear the official rules on government websites, but I want to document the human reality of the process.
I am looking to compile experiences with short-stay Schengen visa applications from the last five years. Did you get rejected for a vague reason? Did you get approved in record time? Or perhaps you have a nightmare story about simply trying to book an appointment slot?
I want to compile these stories—anonymously if you prefer—to highlight the common challenges and the random successes we all face. Any country, any consulate. What was your journey like?
Applied twice in the last few years from outside Schengen. Biggest issue wasn’t documents, but appointments — slots vanished fast and cancellations were the only way in.
Processing time was unpredictable (a few weeks once, over a month another time). No interview both times. What mattered most was consistency: hotel nights matching the itinerary and strong proof of ties. I’ve seen people rejected for vague reasons like “unclear purpose” even with full paperwork.
Overall, the process feels less transparent than the official rules suggest.
Greetings. This is a worthy initiative. Speaking from Cairo, the struggle is often not just the paperwork, but the sheer history involved in waiting. I applied for a group tour visa to Italy last year. The history of Rome is deep, but the consulate’s patience is shallow. We waited four months just for an appointment slot. My advice meant to correct misconceptions: Do not book your flights before you secure the appointment. History lives here, but slots disappear in seconds. Look closer at the VFS release times.