In 2023, the search for visas took people to countries far and wide—where wait times were shorter, to visa centres in different cities, and even to temples, in the hopes that at least some divine intervention would help. In 2024, we’re praying to the visa gods above that acquiring that stamp isn’t as hard. But there’s more you can do beyond praying that might just make the process easier. Here are six ways to reduce your visa woes in 2024.
Apply for a Schengen visa before the peak summer tourist season
VFS Global recommends applying for a Schengen visa at least 15 days before the intended visit and no more than six months before the start of your intended visit. Summer, which lasts from June to September, is peak tourist season in Europe and that’s typically when consulates receive the most number of visa applications. If you plan your trip in advance, you can avoid long wait times by applying for your Schengen visa before the tourist season is in full swing. Consider applying in March or April if you plan to travel during the European summer.
But also look beyond the Schengen area and the US
There are several exciting destinations closer home that offer easy visas. At the end of 2023, Malaysia and Thailand eliminated visa requirements for Indian travellers, for a trip of up to 30 days. Sri Lanka’s Cabinet adopted the issuance of a free visa initiative in October for Indian visitors—an initiative that will last until 31 March, 2024. In April 2023, Egypt added India to its visa-on-arrival list. Kenya, the East African country which houses the vast preserved savannah of Masai Mara, announced visa-free access for visitors from around the world starting January 2024. You will only need electronic travel authorisation before arrival. Additionally, there are several beach destinations and safari destinations that offer Indian travellers visa-free or visa-friendly access. If you are, however, looking to apply for a Schengen or US visa, read on for tips to make your visa applications easier and quicker in 2024.
Avoid dummy bookings
A dummy booking is a fake flight ticket or hotel booking that is typically generated through online tools. This is essentially a booking you haven’t paid for but have secured to complete your visa documentation, particularly for the Schengen visa. Applications for a Schengen visa require an itinerary with proofs of a round-trip flight or hotel bookings. Travel agents strongly advise against dummy bookings since they are likely to lead to rejection if the consulate decides to verify your itinerary. Instead, if you’re worried about rejection, opt for a refundable flight booking and real hotel reservations that offer the option to pay upon arrival. More on all the reasons you should avoid dummy bookings here.
If you’re travelling to the Schengen area, look for countries with low rejection rates
Indian travellers filed over 6 lakh visa applications in 2022 and 18% of those applications were rejected. Three countries—Estonia, Malta and Slovenia—rejected nearly 50% of these Schengen visa requests. Schengen news website Schengen Visa Info releases these statistics every year, and it can be helpful to refer to them when applying for a Schengen visa. In the same year, for instance, the country with the lowest visa rejection rates was Iceland, followed by Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia. Here’s the list of the 10 Schengen countries with the lowest visa rejection rates in 2022. Keep a lookout for reliable statistics like these to make an informed decision when applying for a visa.
Save time with visa waivers
Small details in your application and from your past travels could actually help you speed up your visa process. If you’re renewing your US visa, for instance, a “clearance received” or “department authorization” stamp on your previous visa means that you can use the interview waiver process to apply for a new visa. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa and have travelled to any Schengen country in the past four years and given your biometric for the visa process, you can skip the visit to the consulate to submit your biometric information. Instead, you can send your documents virtually to an agent in that city and let them apply on your behalf. If you’re looking to apply for a UK and Schengen visa simultaneously, there’s a way you can save time in the process
Don’t forget the basics
Sometimes, ensuring that you’re getting the simple things right can help you save a lot of time. Check all the documentation and requirements for your visa application thoroughly and make sure you have everything in place. A valid passport is essential. A Schengen visa requires a passport that’s valid for at least three months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen territory. A US tourist visa requires a passport with at least 6 months validity and a minimum of three blank pages. Double-check the size and dimensions of the photographs you need to submit, as well as the documents you need to show as proof of funds. It’s often the smallest things that involve the most common mistakes in your visa application.
BONUS: If you finally get your visa, make the most of it
Scoring a Schengen or US visa isn’t the end of the story. In fact, these visas open up opportunities for more travel. Indian passport holders can visit 41 countries with a valid US visa, including Taiwan, Malaysia, Dubai, Qatar and Türkiye. As many as 37 countries—including Oman, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Mexico and the Bahamas—will give Indian travellers entry against a Schengen visa. Don’t miss out on making the most of the visa you have.