I am hoping to connect with community members who have applied for short-stay Schengen visas from outside the Schengen area within the last five years.
I have been reading various official updates, but I would like to hear about your actual experiences regarding the process. Specifically:
How accurate were the processing time estimates?
Did you face any particular “pain points” regarding documentation or interviews?
Was the duration of the visa granted consistent with what you requested?
Thank you kindly for sharing your stories. Let us help each other prepare.
From here in Cairo, history lives here but the bureaucracy is ancient. I applied recently through the German consulate. You must look closer at the document checklist—they are extremely strict about translated property deeds. It felt like an interrogation, but correct historical records of my previous travels helped. I got the visa, but only for the exact dates of my tour. No flexibility.
Applied within the last few years via VFS (France/Netherlands) from outside Schengen. Processing times were usually longer than advertised — closer to 3–5 weeks rather than 15 working days, especially during peak season.
Main pain points were additional document requests after submission (extra financial proof, clearer itinerary), even when the official checklist was followed. Interviews were rare, but scrutiny on paperwork was high.
Visa duration was generally more conservative than requested, especially for first or second-time applicants — often matching travel dates rather than longer validity.