Technical problems within it Schengen visa application process is a headache for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A recent system update is causing delays in processing Short Stay Visa for the Netherlandssaid a statement from a spokesperson.
Due to an upgrade in one of the systems linked to the visa process, the normal processing time of approximately fifteen days is no longer feasible. The exact time frame for current processing is unknown at this time.
These technical difficulties have a global effect, as all visa applications are processed centrally in The Hague. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet been able to estimate the duration of these problems. “However, we are looking at tailor-made solutions for urgent requests,” the spokesperson assured.
Processing visa applications
A visa application for foreign travelers will be taken and checked by an external service provider such as Vfs global and then forwarded to the for review Consular Service Organization (CSO) in The Hague. The CSO is the back office of the global visa process and is the largest executive organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 700.000 visa applications were submitted and processed worldwide. The COVID pandemic has brought the visa process in particular to a standstill. The processes have now started up again, with visa grants showing a steep upward trend.
In the past year, the ministry processed more than 414.000 applications Schengen visas. Such a short-stay Schengen visa allows foreign travelers to stay in all Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
Source: Nieuws.nl
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