⚡ Urgent Schengen Visa
Need a Schengen visa urgently? While there's no official "express visa," there are ways to speed up the process. Here's what you can do.
The Reality Check
Honest Truth: Schengen visas normally take 10-15 working days. There's no guaranteed "same day" or "48-hour" visa. But you can maximize your chances of faster processing.
When Embassies MAY Fast-Track
- 🏥 Medical emergency - Urgent treatment abroad
- ⚰️ Death in family - Funeral of close relative in Europe
- 💼 Urgent business - Critical meeting, contract signing
- 🎓 Academic urgency - Exams, thesis defense
- ⚖️ Court appearance - Legal proceedings
Note: You must provide proof of the emergency!
How to Request Urgent Processing
- Contact embassy directly - Explain your situation
- Write "URGENT" cover letter - State reason for urgency
- Attach proof - Hospital letter, death certificate, etc.
- Request priority appointment - Some VFS centers offer this
- Be flexible - Take any available appointment slot
VFS Prime Time Appointments
Many VFS centers offer Prime Time Service:
- Early morning or late evening appointments
- Costs extra (around ₹2000-4000)
- Doesn't speed up processing, just appointment availability
- Useful when regular slots are fully booked
Tips for Faster Processing
1. Perfect Documentation
- Complete application = faster processing
- Missing documents cause delays
- Use checklist, double-check everything
2. Choose Less Busy Embassy
- Some embassies process faster
- Apply to country with shorter wait times
- Smaller countries often faster than France/Germany
3. Avoid Peak Seasons
- Summer (May-July) is slowest
- December holiday rush
- Apply in off-season when possible
4. Apply Early
- You can apply up to 6 months before travel
- Earlier = more time for processing
- Don't wait until last minute!
What NOT to Do
- ❌ Don't book non-refundable flights before visa
- ❌ Don't fake emergencies - Fraud is detected and banned
- ❌ Don't use "visa agents" promising guaranteed fast visa
- ❌ Don't call embassy daily - It doesn't speed things up
- ❌ Don't pay bribes - Legitimate process only
Emergency Appointment Checklist
If requesting urgent appointment, prepare:
- ✅ Letter explaining emergency with dates
- ✅ Proof of emergency (hospital letter, death certificate, business letter)
- ✅ Complete visa application ready to submit
- ✅ All supporting documents organized
- ✅ Travel insurance already purchased
- ✅ Flight booking (refundable recommended)
Realistic Timeline
| Scenario | Expected Time |
|---|---|
| Standard application | 10-15 working days |
| Peak season | 15-30 working days |
| Genuine emergency (approved) | 3-5 working days |
| Missing documents | +10-15 days extra |
Alternative: Apply to Different Country
If one country has no appointments:
- Check if another Schengen country has availability
- Adjust your itinerary to enter that country first
- Or spend most days in that country
- Valid Schengen visa works for all 29 countries