Hi everyone, I am currently planning a culinary trip to Europe to bring some new inspirations back to my blog, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the paperwork.
I’m looking for real stories from people who have applied for short-stay Schengen visas from outside the Schengen area in the last five years. The official requirements are one thing, but I want to know about the actual experience. Did you face any unexpected hurdles? How specifically did they scrutinize your itinerary?
I would love to hear your authentic experiences to help me navigate this. Taste this advice is better than any official brochure!
1) Processing time is a guideline, not a deadline. Officially it might say ~15 days, but in practice it often stretched toward 3–4 weeks, especially if they asked for anything extra.
2) Itinerary scrutiny is more about logic than flair. Officers tended to check whether your dates, transport, and accommodation actually line up and make sense as a trip — not just a list of places you might visit. Having bookings or clear plans by day helped avoid follow-ups.
3) Unexpected asks happen. Even with everything on the checklist, some people (including me) got requests for clarification or extra docs — like a more detailed financial explanation or a clearer daily plan. These aren’t refusals, just steps that add time.
4) Interviews aren’t common for most short stays, but written documents are closely read. They want consistency between what you say and what your paperwork shows.