Schengen visa appointment availability continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced by Indian travellers planning trips to Europe. With increasing demand for tourism, business travel, family visits, and events, securing an appointment slot has become highly competitive, especially during peak travel seasons.
Current Situation for Schengen Visa Appointments in India
Indian applicants across major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are experiencing limited appointment availability for several Schengen countries. In many cases, appointment slots are released in batches and get booked quickly due to high demand.
Some travellers have reported:
- Longer waiting periods for first-time applicants
- Faster availability for repeat travellers in select cases
- Seasonal shortages during summer and festive travel periods
- Varying availability depending on the Schengen country applied to
Appointment availability also depends on the visa facilitation centre and the specific embassy handling applications.
Why Schengen Visa Appointments Are Limited
There are multiple reasons behind appointment shortages:
- Increased post-pandemic international travel demand
- Limited daily appointment capacity at visa centres
- Additional scrutiny of applications by embassies
- Seasonal travel spikes across Europe
These factors together have created a situation where early planning is crucial.
What Indian Travellers Should Do Now
To avoid last-minute stress, travellers should:
- Start visa planning several months in advance
- Keep documents ready before appointment booking
- Remain flexible with travel dates
- Regularly check appointment availability
Travellers are advised not to book non-refundable flights or hotels before confirming visa appointments.
Yes, appointments are available, but availability varies by country, city, and season.
High demand, limited capacity, and seasonal travel rush are key reasons.
Ideally, applications should begin several months before planned travel.
Author: Visa & Travel Desk – Instaviza
The Visa & Travel Desk at Instaviza is a team of experienced visa documentation specialists and travel consultants who track global immigration policies, embassy announcements, airline advisories, and international travel regulations affecting Indian travellers. With years of experience assisting Indian passport holders with tourist visas, passport services, and travel insurance, Instaviza is committed to publishing accurate, reliable, and up-to-date travel information. Content published under Instaviza’s Editorial Policy.