Czechia Experiences Delays in Schengen Visa Processing for Indians Amid High Demand and Incomplete Applications

Czechia Experiences Delays in Schengen Visa Processing for Indians Amid High Demand and Incomplete Applications

Key Highlights

  1. Travel industry leaders in Czechia urge authorities to expedite Schengen visa processing for Indian applicants.
  2. Delays in visa issuance are causing significant losses for Czechia's travel and tourism sector.
  3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributes delays to incomplete applications.

Surge in Schengen Visa Applications from India

Czechia continues to experience a high volume of Schengen visa applications from Indian nationals in 2024, mirroring trends from previous years. However, many applicants face delays in receiving decisions due to overwhelming demand and issues with incomplete or last-minute submissions.

Travel industry leaders have expressed concern over the impact of these delays, which are hindering business and leisure travel and causing substantial economic losses. Daniel Soukup from NextMile Travel highlighted challenges faced by Indian companies planning to bring large groups, such as teams of up to 500 people, for conferences and other activities. In many cases, only about 70% of these groups receive visas on time, significantly affecting the tourism sector.

Industry representatives have urged authorities to enhance processing capacities to address the growing demand and mitigate delays.

Incomplete Applications: The Main Issue

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the delays and identified incomplete visa applications as a primary cause. According to Ministry spokesperson Daniel Drake, the Czech Embassy in Delhi often accepts applications missing key documents, requiring follow-ups that prolong processing times.

Drake emphasized that to accommodate the high demand, the Embassy has already expanded its capacity for short-term visa applications.

"We have even increased the capacity for short-term visa applications to meet the highest demand," said Drake.

Rising Application Numbers

Data from the Ministry reveals a sharp increase in Schengen visa applications. In 2023, the Czech Embassy in Delhi received approximately 18,000 applications, while this year, the number has already exceeded 20,000. Similar challenges are being reported by other European Union missions in India, underscoring a broader issue in visa processing across the region.

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