The processing of a Schengen visa application
When you are one visa application submitted for the Netherlands, it will be assessed. This is done in 5 steps, which are described below:
- The first step in the assessment process consists of the submission of a completed application form with accompanying documents by the visa applicant. This can be done at an embassy, consulate or at an external service provider such as Vfs global.
- The second step is the processing the request by the external service provider or embassy. Employees of the embassy or the external service provider are responsible for taking in the application forms and accompanying documents and for issuing the visas (if any). The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs often works with external service providers (EDVs), such as VFS Global. The external service provider then does the intake instead of the employees of the embassy or consulate. The offices of external service providers are located in visa-requiring countries and facilitate the submission of a visa application. For example, the applicant does not have to travel as far to submit his application.
- The third step is the assessment of the application. The decision-making assistants of the CSO in The Hague receive the files from the external service provider and make an assessment based on the file. The CSO will use Information Supported Decision Making.
- A fourth step is one possibly submit a file to the IND. In a number of cases, the IND is also involved in assessing a visa application. The option to submit the application is used, among other things, if issues related to a visa application are not properly assessed by the CSO itself. It may also happen, for example, that the applicant is registered in the Schengen alert system. In that case, the IND will check whether the reason for the alert stands in the way of a visa being issued.
- Step five is the issuance of the visa in the form of a visa sticker in the passport or a rejection of the visa application.
Related posts: