Immigration News: New Zealand's Parent Boost Visa
As summer travel season surges, Indian tourists aiming for European getaways are encountering significant delays and appointment shortages for Schengen visas—a situation described as a “visa traffic jam.” High demand, limited processing capacity, and embassy staff shortages have made securing a visa slot increasingly difficult, disrupting travel plans for many.
Key Developments:
- Record Applications: Indian nationals submitted approximately 1.1 million Schengen visa applications in 2024, underscoring intense demand for European travel.
- Bottleneck Dynamics: With embassies and visa centres overwhelmed, applicants report long waits even before collecting documentation—appointment slots in major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai are now scarce.
- Destination Disparity: While Italy and Germany lead in backlogs, other countries offer relief—Sweden is providing next‑day appointments, France and Finland offer 2–3 week waits in select cities, and Hungary and Norway also have relatively quicker slots.
- Industry Impact: The delays threaten summer tourism flows, affecting travel agents, airlines, and European hotspots that depend on Indian visitors. Missed appointments may result in canceled travel packages and flight bookings.
Expert Recommendations:
- Apply Early: Experts advise travellers to book well ahead—ideally months before peak season—to improve chances of securing appointments .
- Be Flexible: Opting for consulates with shorter wait times—like Sweden, Finland, or Hungary—can mitigate delays.
- Choose Wisely: Applicants should research visa approval rates; Switzerland and France led issuances in 2024 among Indians, while Germany trails slightly behind.