Schenegen Processing time? Working days or Calender days.

[wassap]

Hi Peeps,

Ive recently applied for a schengen visa from Belgium for a few days in Belgium and France, I applied at the VFS handling centre in Manchester.

Im just wondering if the processing time is working days or calender days, as the website is a touch unclear.Its been 14 calender days since i applied so its early yet either way, but its a question thats been bugging me, so hopefully someone can put my mind at rest.

Thanks

[yk910]

Generally its 2 weeks, in rare cases 3 weeks. it is worth calling VFS and telling them your situation, chances could be that embassy are expecting additional documentation from you.

The VFS for Belgium website states,

Please note that the Belgian Embassy aims to process applications within a maximum period of 15 days of receipt of the application.
Provided that a complete file is submitted, a decision can usually be expected much sooner. But, it may take longer in certain cases: between 30 and 60 days (although a decision can usually be expected sooner) when additional documents are requested or if your application has been submitted to the Ministry of the Interior.

All passport holders of the below list should keep in mind a processing time of at least 7 days:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Palestine, Refugees, Stateless and Vietnam

Applicants who are NOT UK-resident and who hold a Type C visit visa need to be aware that their application will take longer as their application has to be submitted to the Immigration authorities in Belgium.

[Donutz]

The EU regulation 2009/810 "Schengen Visa Code" says:

Article 23
Decision on the application
1. Applicationsshallbedecidedonwithin15calendardays of the date of the lodging of an application which is admissible in accordance with Article 19.
2. Thatperiodmaybeextendeduptoamaximumof30 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed or in cases of representation where the authorities of the represented Member State are consulted.
3. Exceptionally,whenadditionaldocumentationisneeded in specific cases, the period may be extended up to a maximum of 60 calendar days.

source: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/wh ... dex_en.htm

So 15 calendar days should be the common maximum waiting time. But since you decided to use the (entirely optional) services of an external party, their (VFS that is) handling time will come on top of this.

Edit: if you applied for EU/EAA family member (visa for spouse of a Brit visiting BE together) the maximum processing time would be 15 calendar days. These applications should be granted priority, for free (no 60 euro fee) and with minimum hassle/documentation. As per EU directive 2004/38/EC.