The UK's Schengen visa appointment system faces significant challenges as applicants report frequent website crashes, long waiting periods and a lack of available appointment slots. Travellers often encounter country visa websites that freeze or require two-hour intervals between login attempts, while some other countries' booking sites are completely inaccessible.
Appointment bookings disappear within seconds of becoming available, and many people report checking countries' websites their for months to no avail.
These problems are making it increasingly difficult for travellers to plan trips, especially those who need to travel urgently to the Schengen area.
Eligibility and Requirements
To apply for a Schengen visa you must fulfil the visa requirements which include a valid passport, proof of legal residence in the UK (visa or residence permit) proof of travel insurance and sufficient funds and many other documents.
Check the visa requirements for the specific Schengen country you plan to visit. As requirements often differ, for some countries the residence permit after returning from the Schengen area must be valid for another month, while for other countries it must be valid for 90 days.
Complying with all requirements and collecting a complete set of documents will increase the receipt of a Schengen visa in your passport, as preparation reduces the rejection rates.
Countries with a better availability of appointments
Several Schengen member states demonstrated better appointment availability for UK visa applications in the experience of Reddit users:
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The French visa centre regularly adds premium slots, next day or weekend appointments can be booked, with a typical processing time of 5 working days.
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In Italy, time slots for appointments are occasionally offered, but they must be booked immediately as soon as they become available.
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The Spanish visa centre offered appointment booking for travel within 2-3 weeks, and there are often available premium appointment slots for submission for upcoming dates.
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In the Netherlands, appointments are published regularly throughout the month, although competition is very high there, slots fly out very quickly.
It is important to note that the availability of appointment slots is very dynamic and can change quickly, so travellers should be prepared to act quickly as soon as slots become available.
In addition, travellers are advised to book visa appointments in less popular tourist countries such as: Iceland, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia or Luxembourg. They do not open as often, but slots are available for a longer period of time.
Another thing to consider is the season. In winter, slots to Greece, Malta and Croatia are longer.
We keep our own record of the release of entries for most Schengen countries visa applications in the UK. A detailed table of releases in London for November-December 2024 can be found below.
You may notice a similarity with the information from travelers that French and Italy are the most likely to offer the opportunity to make an entry for a visa. Also according to our data, slots for Hungary, Switzerland and Portuguese were regularly available.
For more up-to-date information, please contact our support team.
Choose the country that processes applications quickly
The standard processing time for a Schengen visa application is normally 15 calendar days from the date of application. When applying for a Schengen visa from the UK, processing times can vary considerably depending on the country you are applying to. Here are some considerations:
Countries with fast processing times for Schengen visa applications :
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France: TLS Contact in London can process passports in about a week, especially when demand is not very high. France is one of the few Schengen states that accepts documents without being tied to UK residency.
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Spain: The BLS Spanish visa centre sometimes offers the option to make an appointment without an appointment, especially if your trip is scheduled within the next 2-3 weeks.
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Czech Republic: The Czech Republic has caught the attention of applicants with its expedited turnaround on visa applications, with some passports with a valid Schengen visa being issued in as little as 4 working days.
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Portugal: While Portugal is not the fastest country to obtain a Schengen visa, it has passports ready in about 8 working days on average, which is still quite fast by Schengen area standards.
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Denmark: Referred to as another country with potentially fast application handling times: some applicants are approved and have their passport returned within a week. However, it is important to note that processing times can vary depending on individual circumstances and the current high volume of applications.
Countries with slower processing:
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Spain is as noted by Reddit users as a country with a lengthened application turnaround time as Norway and Estonia: it usually takes about a month.
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Denmark is also mentioned as a country with slow processing, in some cases it can take up to 45 days.
Also among the countries with a lower refusal rate and faster visa issuance, applicants emphasise: Estonia, Italy, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta.
These countries often have fast return of passports with visas from the embassy and higher approval rates. If your travel plans are flexible, applying to one of these countries may increase your chances of quick approval.
Factors affecting the speed of obtaining a Schengen visa from the embassy
Several factors can affect the speed of a decision on your Schengen visa application at the embassy:
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Completeness of the application: make sure that all necessary visa documents are included and properly organised.
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Time of year: peak tourist seasons can lead to an increase in the application review.
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Purpose of visit: Applicants who submit their passports for business purposes or who justify the urgency of their trip may receive their passports more quickly.
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Previous Schengen visas: Schengen visa history may affect the speed of the decision.
Schengen visa statistics
In order to get a visa in your passport quickly, travelers are advice to also consider the likelihood of visa approval as well as the average rejection rate.
Countries with high positive Schengen visa statistics
Several of Europe's countries stand out for their favourable Schengen visa policies when applying from the UK:
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The Netherlands has consistently high approval rates, with applicants reporting a visa within 4-7 days, which will help if the application is not submitted in advance.
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The Spanish embassy, with a rejection rate of around 20 per cent, has approved over 1 million applications, which is also quite high for the entire Schengen area.
In addition, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Finland and Luxembourg show the highest rate of issuing multiple-entry visas, albeit with fewer applications.
Countries with higher refusal rates
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Sweden: known for its strictness, there are reports of short-term visas being granted even to applicants with a good package of documents.
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Malta is also on the list of European Union countries with high refusal rates.
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Belgium also has a high rejection rate, according to the general statistics of Reddit users.
The approval rate varies significantly from one Schengen member states to another and can vary from year to year. It is known that some Schengen states have stricter visa policies than others, which they declare immediately.
Approval rates may vary depending on the traveller's nationality, travel history and individual circumstances.
Factors affecting approval rates
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Nationality: Nationals of certain citizens may be subject to greater scrutiny due to immigration issues.
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Travel history: Travellers entering the European Union for the first time or those with little international travel experience may face a higher rejection rate, regardless of citizenship.
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Purpose of visit: The clarity and credibility of the stated purpose can significantly influence the decision.
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Financial stability: Demonstration of sufficient funds and ties to the home location is crucial.
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Completeness of application: Providing all required documents and a well-prepared application can increase the chances of approval.
When applying for a UK Schengen visa, it is advisable to choose the country that best suits your travel plans and where you will spend the most time. In addition, ensuring a strong and complete application can help increase your chances of approval, regardless of the country you are applying for.
Conclusion
There are three factors to consider for a fast UK Schengen visa application: slot availability, visa processing speed and the likelihood of rejection. Visa claimants can optimise their chances of success by choosing countries with favourable approval rates and efficient processing times. It is essential to submit a complete application with all necessary documents, demonstrate financial stability and provide a clear purpose for travelling to the country of visit in order to still receive a visa despite the speed of approval.
By taking into account factors such as citizenship, travel history and the specific requirements of each Schengen country, UK residence permit holders can improve their chances of obtaining a visa and travelling freely within the Schengen area.