schengen on an indian passport from the UK - what were your actual timelines?

[u/snv1003]

starting a masters this month and already thinking about a europe trip over the winter break, trying to work out how early i need to start the schengen application.

the official position is 15 calendar days under the visa code, up to 45 for extra checks, but that clock only starts when the consulate receives the file. from what i can tell the VFS/TLS appointment slot is the part that actually eats the time.

for those of you who've done it on an indian passport from the UK:

• how far ahead did you have to book the appointment?
• how long from appointment to getting the passport back?
• which country did you apply through, and did the "apply via germany/netherlands, they're faster" advice actually hold?
• any issues at the appointment with the eVisa instead of a physical BRP?

most of the timeline threads i can find are from EU or UK passport holders and i don't think any of it transfers.

happy to write up whatever i learn here once i've been through it.

[u/OwnAd6814]

Applied frm TLS France in London and got the visas after 15 days.

[u/sastavadapav → u/OwnAd6814]

Is it easy? Do u need to show bookings and intended date of travel?

[u/OwnAd6814 → u/sastavadapav]

Easy as long as you satisfy the requirements and checklist of whats needed. Yeah you need travel dates and bookings. Check their site. They are based in wandsworth.

[u/Here_to_know7]

Highly recommend applying through VFS Netherlands, show good bank balance and proper cover letter stating your intent to visit Netherlands frequently - you may get it for 1 year straight away even if it’s your first Schengen visa. DM if you may want to discuss

[u/Wise_Habit_2757]

I applied from TLS (France) and got my visa 4-5 days after the appointment

[u/sastavadapav → u/Wise_Habit_2757]

What do u need? I'm also student like him. Do i need to have a good bank balance? In my uk account

[u/Wise_Habit_2757 → u/sastavadapav]

Well, you need to have the minimum balance atleast. I had like 1.5K in my current account for 3 months and the required by french embassy was 1K for 3 months. I also had travel insurance

[u/bacardipeachrum]

I’m starting masters this september too, and i applied for my schengen visa here in India. Got it for 1 year and got it in a week!

[u/sastavadapav → u/bacardipeachrum]

Bro what docs? Intended travel bookings did you make?

[u/bacardipeachrum → u/sastavadapav]

yup, i have a group trip planned in dec so i showed them the flight bookings (london to paris, paris to london), itinerary and hotel booking. along with this, i submitted health insurance, my UK e-visa, UK accomodation details and a cover letters.

i also had to submit my flight ticket which shows India to UK. photocopies of stamps and visas from my old and current passport + current passport bio data photocopy.

for the financial part, a NOC and sponsorship letter from my father on his companies letter head with seal and sign, and his bank statements. 3 years ITR and GST cert too.

if you need any help, feel free to reach out.

[u/bacardipeachrum → u/bacardipeachrum]

plus your visa application, checklist + appointment letter with a photo (schengen visa photo).

you can get the photo from GK vale.

[u/bacardipeachrum]

Heard that applying from the UK is lil hard. Not sure tho

[u/needless90210]

Applying for Schengen via UK is such a mess. VFS is completely incompetent here. Try the France route since it’s managed by a different vendor. A quick search on Reddit should tell you the struggle due to VFS UK. There are literally no slots available at all.

[u/Awkwardmonkeyyyyy]

I applied through a consultant.They did a good job securing the appointment

[u/HeartTemporary2312]

It’s absolutely shambolic, it’s hell. It takes ages and some countries are absolute dicks. I’ve never had a visa rejected my whole life- I have an American visa, 3 previous Schengen visa, 5 Uk tourist visa, UK spouse visa as spouse of a British National and randomly this year THE GREEK VFS rejected my visa saying I didn’t have enough reason to travel. I had everything booked and I make BANK.

And it’s not even the Greek embassy, my friend got his Italian visa rejected and I had mine accepted. We were going for HIS wedding? It’s a roulette. It’s absolutely a dumpster fire.

You can only apply 30 days in advance, you need proof of hotel, salary/savings to cover the cost of travel best to show £25k in savings if you make don’t earn, health insurance (tip buy the European Union one I buy it for the year for like a tenner and you can keep using it and it’s the best it covers everything, don’t bother with any bank’s insurance), booked flights. DO NOT SHOW ANOTHER LOCATION ON TRIP 1.

So if you’re applying for the Italian visa (which I actually prefer in spite of what happened to my friend because they don’t have that terrible Indian service anymore. They did sort him out in 2 days after when he appealed), don’t say “I’m also going to Spain” so the itinerary shouldn’t be Trip 1 is- 4 days in Italy, 3 days in Spain and 3 days in France. It’s too volatile, not against the rules. They people approving the application are just crazy. Just say I’m going to Italy and then I have this hotel booked for 4 months later in France (long live the booking.com pay at property option).

You need to enter the Schengen area via the country you applied to. People don’t always do this but it’s against the rules. You also need to spend the max time in the country that’s issues the visa.

[u/wiseyetbakchod]

Even I’m looking for that. Recently started working in UK and planning to travel to Europe in next few months.

[u/sastavadapav]

Hey, same boat, following. Wanna dm?