Delays for Schengen visa applications

[El_Goretto]

I would just like to share some experience from friends and colleagues applying for Schengen visa in Indonesia.

It seems like international travel is picking up and Indonesia is no exception. There are huge delays at TLSContact (contracted by the French Embassy in Indonesia) for visa applications. Visa are being delivered only 1 or 2 days before departure, some people even got their visa on the day of departure. Many people are cancelling their plans for fear of losing their tickets. It usually take up to 2 weeks to get a visa but at the moment it seems to take 3 to 4 weeks, maybe even more.

It is the same situation with Indonesian passport applications and International Driving Licenses: quotas are full, massive delays.

So if you or your loved ones are planning a trip in the next few months, I recommend you to not leave visa applications to the last minute!

 

[AhhSamboi]

4 weeks still isn't that bad. I've been waiting since April for my ITK conversion to Kitas which is supposed to take up to 1 week. Shouldn't be delayed since it's a different department but it somehow is

 

[centurion]

TLS is known for mismanagement and delays.

 

[Wisnu]

Years back, I applied Schengen visa through orange carpet scheme from NL embassy , so easy, got it in one day valid for 5 years

 

[El_Goretto]

TLS is known for mismanagement and delays.

I applied several times for visas to France for my family in the past, never had issues. This time around, it seems it's the embassy that cannot keep up.

 

[centurion]

Had some friends that used TLS for French Schengen, they took back their passports as the process was long. Foreigners get used to the Indonesian way of work and ethics fast here.

 

[AhhSamboi]

Had some friends that used TLS for French Schengen, they took back their passports as the process was long. Foreigners get used to the Indonesian way of work and ethics fast here.

Is it fast? I've been waiting since the beginning of April for mine

 

[Wisnu]

A friend of mine who work for TLS (not in Indonesia) told me that TLS does not make any decisions and very unlikely is the bottleneck. They can easily add resources if needed.

 

[jstar]

Currently the backlog can be up to 60 days. It’s chaos.

After many complaints, VHS the company which it is outsourced to, blames the approval process from the countries themselves.

The positive news is that Indonesian citizens are as of their second visit, eligible for a multi entry Schengen visa.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Currently the backlog can be up to 60 days. It’s chaos.

After many complaints, VHS the company which it is outsourced to, blames the approval process from the countries themselves.

The positive news is that Indonesian citizens are as of their second visit, eligible for a multi entry Schengen visa.

I think you mean VfS? Maybe it depends on which country, because when we applied a couple of months back it only took a few days.

And I think the multiple entry option will only come in when the trade deal with the EU has actually been signed and approved by everyone.

 

[jstar]

Yes, obviously VFS. In Jakarta based in Kuningan City Mall and responsible for most countries.

Normally it’s 15 days. Then it went to 30, to 45 and even to 60. Germany, France, Netherlands and Spain were the countries I saw complaints about. People had to cancel their trips.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

The decision has been made, but the exact date it will apply from is not yet clear. The EU isn't known for implementing its decisions quickly.

Indonesia hopes EU visa cascade policy effective July-end​

 

[jstar]

Well, according to minister Roeslani, in Indonesia the trade deal will be signed and ratified right away in September.

And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this in her speech at the meeting with Prabowo:

“My third and last point is on the connections between our people. They should be the first to benefit from our stronger ties. So I am pleased to announce that the European Commission has adopted a decision on the visa cascade. It means that from now on, Indonesian nationals visiting the EU for a second time will be eligible for multi-entry Schengen visas. This will make it easier to visit, invest, study and connect. In short, we are building a bridge between our societies.”

 

[centurion]

Well, according to minister Roeslani, in Indonesia the trade deal will be signed and ratified right away in September.

And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this in her speech at the meeting with Prabowo:

“My third and last point is on the connections between our people. They should be the first to benefit from our stronger ties. So I am pleased to announce that the European Commission has adopted a decision on the visa cascade. It means that from now on, Indonesian nationals visiting the EU for a second time will be eligible for multi-entry Schengen visas. This will make it easier to visit, invest, study and connect. In short, we are building a bridge between our societies.”

In EU all 27 countries have to ratify the trade deal, which will take 2 years.

 

[jstar]

Hmm, it depends, mostly on concerns and political will. The deal between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela) took more than 20 years so that‘s a very bad example. A deal with Vietnam took months, the trade deal with Japan only weeks. So

 

[Helpful Herbert]

My wife got a 1 year multi-entry Schengen visa in 2018. This year she only got 11 days single entry (same application form and ticked the multi-entry box). So they could give multi-entry visas any time they want.

 

[jstar]

So they could give multi-entry visas any time they want

Of course. It‘s completely subjective. My wife always gets multi entry 5 years. But she also has US and some other visa. And I include a letter for the dossier -in my own language- explaining our travel routine and specifically requesting multi entry. All seems to work. (Besides huge discussions with VFS about Garantor yes or no.)

 

[jstar]

Similar example: A lady dentist from Jakarta has a sister in The Netherlands married with a Dutch guy. Last time she got a multi entry long term, now she got a 30 day single entry. Wasn’t happy.

Makes you wonder how much more profitable it is if there are multiple short term visa instead of a single long term? And whether that plays a role?