Hello,
Today, I want to briefly discuss the process of applying for a Schengen Visa from Kazakhstan.
There are two key points that I'd like to discuss. Firstly, for foreigners, the application process may not be the same as for Kazakhstani citizens. Secondly, in Kazakhstan, Schengen visa applications are primarily handled by agencies like VSF Global and TLS Visa. Many universities in Europe, when requiring a visa, ask you to apply through these agencies.
There are three main advantages of applying through these agencies. You don't have to undergo the usual interviews at embassies, which typically involve a detailed questionnaire and can sometimes feel quite invasive. Also, these agencies take care of the entire process, and with a VIP package, they can even collect your documents from your home.
However, there are also two downsides to this method. Firstly, applying through an agency might take longer because they need time to collect and send your documents to the embassy. Secondly, if there is a delay or any issue, the agency cannot directly communicate with the embassy about your visa request. In my personal experience, when my visa was delayed, the agency was unable to assist me or expedite the process with the embassy.
I also want to point out that the visa process for foreigners applying from Kazakhstan differs. Depending on the passport, Kazakhstan was added to a list of countries that require additional consultation for visa processing. It's not exactly a blacklist, but for Kazakhstani citizens, the process takes only 15 days. However, for foreigners, the process can take longer, as was my case.
These additional consultations involve seeking information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country you're traveling to. In my case, it was France, and the process took more than a month. Therefore, I advise you to start your visa application as early as possible. If you plan to travel in June, start your visa process in early March, especially if you're a foreigner.
In summary, if all your documents are correct and complete, you shouldn't encounter any significant issues getting a Schengen visa from Kazakhstan. The process also depends on the country you're applying for. Countries like France and Spain are known for denying a lot of visa applications, so choose wisely. You might have better luck with countries like Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, and Greece. I had some trouble getting my visa to France, but in the end, I got it.
That's all for now, and see you in the next one!
