It has been so very disappointing that I did not get my Schenghen Visa. I was supposed to travel last night to Geneva. It was a sudden trip planned because Hubby had some work come up in his office. A short 4 days trip but I was eagerly looking forward to. He had a conference to attend. I was not planning to go initially but then he said let's go together, we can spend some additional time going around and I agreed.
The Schengen visa is currently a madness. Firstly one needs to take an appointment with the VFS agency who has been outsourced to receive applications. To get the appointment with VFS is the biggest challenge. It is not like before where you get the form, fill it up and directly go to the Embassy and apply. The Schengen Visa was the easiest and we would get it in 5 to max 10 days time. But now getting an appointment with VFS is the biggest challenge. This trip came up in last week of May, and the travel date was 14th June. We immediately checked for appointment with VFS and the soonest we were getting was on 15th June. With some hubby's contact and paying a premium fee we then managed to get the appointment the very next day.
We also informed them that it was an official trip and we submitted all the documents including the Office invitation letter. VFS informed us that it ideally takes 15 working days, but obvious we were under 15 days, but they mentioned that since it is a official visit they will put on fast track. We were hoping till the last minute on 13th that it would come, but it did not. We made multiple follow ups with the Embassy and VFS but did not receive any proper answer from them.
Now there is no point as the Conference is tomorrow and it is not possible to travel without the Passports and stamped Visa in hand. I was so much looking forward to this little break. Switzerland has always been my dream Country. Not that this was my first time, I have been there multiple times, but the last time I visited was a long time back so I was eagerly looking forward to. Hubby is in love with Interlaken, we had decided to spend one day in Interlaken. My brother stays in Winterthur and we had also planned to meet him one day and spend time with his family....Now everything is a flop show......Ohhh...I feel like crying... :-(
Anyways I am hoping that I get my passport soon with my Visa stamped for my Italy holidays in July, and once I get my passport I also want to travel to India for a couple of days. For now it's a wait time not knowing when things will happen and I do not like this feeling of uncertainty at all.
And guess what, just that I am about to close this post and email pops up. Your Passport is ready for delivery...hahaha...this is what you call &%^(^$$#...... I was desperately waiting for this email yesterday and it's come today. Anyways cannot do much about it.
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But uhhh..since it reached yesterday..are you still able to go then?
Damn you really need to do that round of switzerland, dont forget to head Luzern as well (my former hometown)
No, by the time I received the passport in my hand it was noon and then no flights and hubby's conference is today, so no point in reaching after the conference.
But it will come up again in a couple of months. Hopefully then will be able to make it :-)
Ohh yes, Luzern was on my list this time also. 1 day was Luzern, 1 day was Interlaken and 1 day was going to spend with my brother in Zurich. Anyways better luck next time.
Genova is a beautiful city to see. In my country, we apply Schengen visa via agents like VFS. Direct application to consul has been rare as consuls give limited time schedule.
It is the same here as well, VFS is the agency for most of the Visa services now across the world. With that the process becomes longer.
Where do you live?
I live in Oman