Sharing recent experiences with Schengen visa applications from outside the zone

[olivia_write]

Hi everyone, I’m trying to gather some real-world data points on recent short-stay Schengen visa applications. With the travel landscape shifting so much in the last few years, I feel like the official timelines often don’t match reality.

I’m looking for stories from anyone who applied from outside the Schengen zone recently (within the last 5 years). Which embassy did you go through? Did you face any weird unexpected document requests or delays?

I want to compile these “real stories” to help future travelers navigate the process with better expectations. Focus point: honesty about the struggles and the wins!

[Shrey_Periwal]

Logic check from Mumbai! I applied for a business visa via the German consulate last month.

[fernando_dev]

Greetings. I applied from Cairo for a French tourist visa earlier this year.

[bilohidy]

Writing from Lahore. My experience with the Italian embassy was… heavy.

[elena_devwave]

No cap, applied from Casablanca for Spain and it was a total grind.

[wangarijuma95]

Taste this experience from Hanoi! I applied for the Netherlands last summer.

[Meliza]

@olivia_write

Hi everyone, I’m trying to gather some real-world data points on recent short-stay Schengen visa applications. With the travel landscape shifting so much in the last few years, I feel like the official timelines often don’t match reality.

I’m looking for stories from anyone who applied from outside the Schengen zone recently (within the last 5 years). Which embassy did you go through? Did you face any weird unexpected document requests or delays?

I want to compile these “real stories” to help future travelers navigate the process with better expectations. Focus point: honesty about the struggles and the wins!

From what I’ve seen (2021–2025), real timelines often run longer than the official ones, especially with France, Netherlands, and Spain. Extra document requests (stronger financial proof, clearer itinerary, proof of ties) are very common now, even if not listed upfront.

Approvals are smooth when the application is detailed and consistent; delays usually happen when plans or finances look generic. Official timelines are a baseline, not a guarantee.