Hi everyone, I am currently based in Bangkok and preparing my application for a photography trip across Southern Europe next season. It feels like the landscape for approvals has changed quite a bit since 2020.
For those of you who have applied from outside the zone recently, specifically freelancers or those with irregular income, how was your experience compared to previous years? I am particularly worried about how they view financial proof for independent contractors now. Is it better to provide a granular day-by-day itinerary or keeps things broad? I would love to hear any recent experiences regarding processing times or interview questions.
Greetings. I applied through the German consulate in Cairo six months ago. As a tour guide, I assumed my extensive travel history would speak for itself, but they looked closer than usual. They wanted detailed bank statements going back six months, not the standard three. History lives here, but bureaucracy lives there. My advice is to make sure your ties to home are undeniable and documented clearly. Look closer at your tax returns before submitting.
From what I’ve seen recently, freelancers are still approved, but applications tend to be reviewed more carefully than pre-2020. Financial proof matters more than income labels—clear bank statements, consistent inflows, and a reasonable balance aligned with trip length are key.
For itineraries, a structured but not overly rigid plan seems to work best: confirmed entry/exit, accommodation, and a logical route, without locking every hour of the day.
Processing times vary widely by consulate and season, often longer than official estimates, but interviews (if any) remain fairly standard—mainly focused on purpose of travel, funding, and ties to home country.