VFS Global reports 60% relief in Schengen visa appointment congestion

VFS Global has reported a 60% to 65% reduction in congestion within the Schengen visa appointment system. This improvement follows measures taken to combat artificial demand created by bot accounts and technical infrastructure upgrades.

Sertan Aslantürk, the VFS Global Regional Director for Turkey and Azerbaijan, stated that these measures have made it easier for genuine applicants to access the system. Despite this relief, travel demand continues to rise, with visa applications increasing by approximately 20% to 25% annually in recent years. In the first eight months of 2026, applications rose by 15% compared to the same period last year.

Major destinations for these applications include the United Kingdom, France, and the Czech Republic. Applicants are advised that they can apply up to 180 days before their intended travel date to mitigate the impact of high demand.