If you're applying for a Schengen visa to travel to Spain, Portugal, or any of the other countries in the Schengen area, you're likely going to need to book an appointment.
In most cases, this appointment is mandatory, as it's where you will submit your fingerprints and your completed visa application.
This visa appointment is sometimes referred to as a Schengen visa interview, and while that is sort of the case, that's only part of the picture.
Who Must Attend a Schengen Visa Interview
Today, the vast majority of Schengen visa applicants are required to attend an in-person appointment. In some specific cases, online applications could be available, but it really isn't the expected norm.
If you need a Schengen visa before your trip, you can also expect to attend an appointment. That said, always check embassy websites for specific details and instructions.
This means if you hold a passport from Belize, Bolivia, Ecuador, or several other countries, you should plan on booking a Schengen visa appointment.
How to Book an Appointment
Booking a Schengen visa appointment is simple, though it might take a few tries to find an open slot. This is because visa demand is high, and appointments can get booked out quickly, especially during peak seasons.
How exactly you book your appointment is going to depend on a couple of things—which country you're a resident of (such as the States), and which country you're applying for a Schengen visa (Spain, France, etc.).
Some Schengen countries require you to start the process online, by creating an account on a government-approved website and initiating the process there.
Others may have you create an account on a visa application center website, then book your appointment directly on their website.
This is why it's important to do your research ahead of time. If you check the embassy website for your destination, you should be able to find exactly how you need to start the process for whichever of the 29 countries you're applying to.
Ultimately, you will book your appointment online.
When you do, you will receive an appointment slot confirmation. It's very important that you save this confirmation page, as you will likely need to bring it with you to your appointment.
The appointment will take place at either a partnering visa application center (such as BLS International or TLScontact) or a consulate. Which one will be necessary for you depends on your destination and where you live.
Visa application centers and consulates are typically in major cities. In the US, you'll find them in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, etc. This means that most visa applicants end up having to travel to a visa application center for their appointment. Even if you have a consulate in your city, it doesn't necessarily mean that that location facilitates visa services.
Make sure you start the process early, again slots can be booked out.
What to Bring to the Interview
When you begin the online process/book your Schengen visa appointment, the visa application center/consulate will give you a list of required documents. They will tell you exactly what you need to bring to your appointment.
It's important that you follow their list closely.
When you attend your appointment, you will submit your application then and there (providing it's complete). Because of that, you will need to bring all of the required documents, including things like bank statements/proof of funds, a Schengen travel insurance certificate, your original passport, and more.
As mentioned above, you'll also likely need to bring your appointment confirmation.
It's also helpful to look at the FAQs for your visa application center/consulate. There may be some rules about whether or not you can bring large bags like suitcases or not, which can be important to consider if you're going to be traveling to attend your appointment.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Schengen visa appointments are streamlined and routine. When you get to the center/consulate, you will enter the building and find the correct suite/floor for visa applications. Oftentimes, there will be someone to help you find where you need to go. If not, follow the signs.
There will most likely be a waiting area, where you will wait for your turn to be called up to a kiosk, counter, or room. When it's your turn, you'll be able to speak one-on-one with a visa services attendant.
The attendant will ask you to provide the necessary documents, going through them to make sure that everything is in order and looks good.
There isn't a formal "questions and answers" section of the interview. If questions are asked, they will be directly related to your documents and your planned trip. According to Insurte, a travel insurance company that specializes in Schengen insurance, some questions can be things like, "how long do you intend to stay in the zone?" or "what date is your return flight, and can you provide your flight confirmations?"
If everything is in order, the visa attendant will submit your visa application for processing.
Typically, it is sent to the relevant embassy for a final decision to be made. Then, your passport will be mailed back to you. If your visa has been approved, it will be pasted inside your passport. If it hasn't, you will receive information (perhaps by email) about why it couldn't be approved at this time.
Lastly, you will submit your biometrics at your visa appointment. This usually happens after an attendant has reviewed your file. They will guide you through the process. If you have submitted your fingerprints to a Schengen visa application center or consulate in the past 59 months, they may skip this step.
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