Struggling to Find a Schengen Visa Appointment in the UK? Try these 7 Proven Tips

If you have tried to book a Schengen visa appointment in the UK lately, you know frustrating it is just finding a slot. I have been through it myself. With fully booked calendars on VFS Global and TLScontact, and consulates seemingly opening and closing limited appointments randomly, it feels like an entire mission getting an appointment slot.

Why is it so hard to find a Schengen Visa Appointment?

European consulates and embassies in London and across the UK experience very high demand for a small amount of Schengen visa appointment slots resulting in long waits and some consulates being fully booked for months.

After recently spending months planning a Europe summer trip, I had to cancel plans since I did not realize how difficult it would be getting a prompt Schengen visa appointment at most, if not all, consulates in London.

I lost money from unused flight tickets and forfeited an opportunity to run the very iconic Bridge Run (a once in a 10-year half marathon across the Oresund Bridge from Denmark to Sweden). Even after years of travelling, it was a rookie mistake to purchase non-refundable/non-exchangeable tickets prior to sorting out a visa.

Well, here’s hoping this blog post allows you to learn from my mistake. Don’t worry, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of snagging that highly sought-after visa biometrics appointment slot. In this post, I will share 7 practical tips that have worked for me, my friends and others, I hope these help you find an appointment.

7 Tips That Helped Me Secure a Schengen Visa Appointment Faster

1. Be flexible with the country you apply through, if possible

The most popular countries like France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands generally have more visa applicants and therefore greater competition. While these consulates may release more appointments or more often, their popularity means you have a lower probability of securing a slot.

If your travel plans allow, consider applying for less-busy consulates like Latvia, Slovakia or Luxembourg. It’s not a guarantee; these consulates will tend to have available appointments lingering for a little longer – allowing you to log in to the portal and snag one.

For instance, I am now at a point where I am trying to visit smaller European countries (next on my list is Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg) – and I was able to get an appointment for Estonia after only a few days of searching the portal.

If you’re wondering what is the best Schengen country to apply through, then check out my post here for statistics and other factors to consider on the best/easiest country.

2. Check appointment portals at odd hours

Sometimes, visa appointments will often open at odd hours, like late at night or early morning. Consider checking the portal at these odd times. I also recommend doing some research to understand the frequency at which your chosen consulate releases appointments too, as this might inform when you check.

VisaBot – Easy Schengen Visa Appointment Booking has an appointment statistics chart that I use to understand general visa trends. Building on this point…

3. Use visa bots and visa agencies wisely (and with caution)

Visa bots are software created to constantly scan for appointment slots on visa centre websites. You can select one of two services: 1.) a service that monitors availability and notifies you the moment slots become available or 2.) an often-more expensive option where the bot will auto-book appointments for you.

By virtue of being automated, auto-booking services provide a fast stress-free appointment, especially as compared to you trying to getting one.

When it comes to notifications, I personally do not recommend paying for push notifications (see tip #5 below for the free alternative I used).

Visa agencies may sometimes have tools that allow them quick access to appointments. If interested, a reputable agency I recommend for either full application or appointment-only service is C’est la visa.

Remember that agencies come with risks including additional fees and possible scams. While agencies may support with your application or securing an appointment, you still need to attend your biometrics appointment in person.

4. Constantly check for cancellations

Appointment cancellations happen often, especially close to the appointment date. I recommend setting a daily reminder to check for any sporadic appointments resulting from cancellations.

In the past, I have refreshed the VFS portal regularly for cancellations and successfully booked an appointment for Denmark.

5. Join relevant visa-seeking communities

Visa-seeking communities are a good avenue to hear first-hand tips on other people’s application and appointment experiences. You can also find lots of free forums and channels that monitor available appointments. Just remember to be cautious and double-check information provided on these forums.

Some communities and channels I check when I’m in the application process include:

• Reddit: r/Schengenvisa
• Facebook: Schengen Visa Community
• Telegram: The Appointment Tracker

6. Apply very early

Remember that the earlier you apply, the more flexibility you have. An early application means you can comfortably select an appointment date far into the future.

Schengen visa rules allow you to submit your application up to 6 months before your travels – so take advantage of this.

To give yourself peace of mind, I recommend lodging your application at least 2-3 months before your planned travels. Be mindful of travel seasons as well, e.g. summer periods will be way busier than other times.

7. Check for walk-in appointments

If you absolutely cannot find an appointment slot online, and are desperate, perhaps you may consider walking into the centre (note: I have only heard of the possibility of walk-ins with Spain visa appointments at BLS UK).

The process is the same as a booked appointment, but walk-in appointments may come with a premium charge and further uncertainty (e.g.  arriving at the centre early and queueing up with no guarantee to be let in), so beware.

Closing Thoughts: Patience Pays

I know how frustrating the hunt for a Schengen visa appointment in the UK can be. The process requires patience, but don’t give up, as appointments do open up.

Hopefully, these tips give you some ways to stay ahead of the crowd. If you have tried something that has worked for you, I would love to hear about it – drop a comment or message me. Let’s help each other out 😊