Visa application processing times

The stated processing time for German medical visas (e.g., 45 days) can vary significantly. During off-peak seasons, applications might be processed much faster, potentially within a week, plus delivery time. However, relying on expedited processing is risky. It is advisable to align clinic appointments with a more realistic visa processing timeline to avoid potential complications.

Hungarian Schengen visa processing times for Russian applicants can vary by city. In St. Petersburg, processing times have been reported as fast as 13 calendar days, even for standard tourist visas. In Moscow, a multi-entry visa for one year was granted after approximately one month of processing (applied July 30th, received August 28th), with previous visas (4th Hungarian visa in almost a year) and a polite cover letter (written in English, reportedly with AI assistance) requesting a multi-entry visa influencing the decision. Frequent travel history to the Schengen area significantly increases the chances of obtaining a multi-entry visa.

Greek Schengen visa application in Moscow: A recent case shows a total processing time of approximately 3 weeks (application on July 22, visa received on August 13). Documents included fully paid flights (Moscow-Istanbul-Athens-Heraklion, Heraklion-Istanbul-Moscow), fully paid hotel bookings, standard documents, real estate documents, and proof of funds (50 EUR/day + 200 EUR buffer). Visa was issued for the exact travel dates (15-day corridor). Status updates first appear on the EEC system (e.g., 'OK' by noon), with an SMS notification typically following the next day. Status updates can occur on weekends, and sometimes even after passport collection.

German visa processing times in Russia, particularly for applications submitted via regional VisaMetric centers (e.g., Novosibirsk), can be significantly longer than initial estimates. While 2 weeks is sometimes quoted, actual times can extend to 18-22 days or even up to 45 working days during peak season (summer). This is influenced by holidays and the time required for document transshipment from regional centers to the German Embassy/Consulate in Moscow. The Embassy's internal review might take 5 days, but the overall process from application to passport collection can be much longer due to logistics.

Recent processing times for Schengen Visa C applications from Russia for Bulgaria: Applications submitted on May 22 (St. Petersburg) saw a visa issued on July 8 and passport returned on July 10 (total ~49 days from application). Applications submitted on May 27 (Moscow VIP lounge) resulted in documents being ready for collection after 43 calendar days, with single-entry visas issued for the requested duration plus a 15-day corridor.

A Greece visa applicant in Moscow (Russia) submitted documents on June 3rd and received the passport on June 30th, just one day before the July 1st departure. The visa was granted for 10 days, exactly as requested. Submitted documents included: Russian bank statement, foreign bank statement, employment contract, certificate of employment, and a guarantee letter.

For Russian applicants, the processing time for a Bulgarian C-visa currently averages 5-6 weeks, with some cases extending to 40-45 working days or even longer (up to 1.5 months). The maximum processing period can be up to 45 working days. Attempts to submit documents earlier than the scheduled appointment date are no longer permitted as of February, and applicants will be turned away. It is crucial to plan visa applications well in advance, allowing for significant processing delays.

A visa application submitted on April 15th in Saint Petersburg, Russia, resulted in the passport being received on June 2nd. This indicates a processing time of approximately 48 days (7 weeks).

As of 2026-07-31, business visa processing times for applications submitted in Moscow can exceed 60 days. Applicants should account for significant delays and apply well in advance of their planned travel.

A couple applied for a Greece visa in Moscow (Russia) on June 2nd and received 14-day single-entry visas (with a one-month corridor) on June 29th, as requested. They submitted all documents according to the EGRN list, provided ample financial proof, purchased flight tickets, and hotel bookings. Applicant 1 had pre-COVID Schengen visas (all Spanish) and recent Japan/Korea visas. Applicant 2 had a recent German Schengen visa and an expired French residence permit, in addition to a Japan visa. Their itinerary included 14 days in Athens, with 3 days in the city center and the remainder in seaside apartments.

An applicant in Moscow (Russia) submitted a Greece visa application on May 29th. The EES status updated on June 25th, and the passport was received on July 1st. The visa granted was single-entry for 30 days, matching the invitation duration, despite the applicant only requesting 13 days. All standard documents were submitted (except SFR), including purchased tickets. The applicant had a strong visa history: two correctly used 6-month Italian multiple-entry visas within the previous 3 years.

Bulgarian D visa processing times at the Embassy in Moscow can be highly variable and extended, with some cases taking 50-80+ days. It is possible for visas to be issued very close to travel dates. Contacting the embassy by phone is challenging; persistent, repeated dialing for an extended period (e.g., an hour) has been reported as a method to get through. Visa decisions may not be simultaneous for all family members applying together.

Bulgarian visa processing times in Moscow can be lengthy. One applicant reported submitting documents on June 1st and receiving visas for family members by July 18th and for himself by August 4th (over 9 weeks). A phrase received by applicants, a "standard phrasing", does not indicate rejection; visas are often issued successfully after such communication.

Visa application submitted at the Moscow visa center on August 5, 2026. Passport ready SMS received on August 14, 2026. Visa requested based on a private individual's invitation with expense guarantee. Result: 3-month multiple-entry visa with a maximum stay of 30 days within the country/Schengen zone. The invitation specifically requested consideration for a long-term multiple-entry visa, citing applicant's history of long-term multiple-entry visas.

An applicant for a French Schengen visa in Moscow, applying on May 20th for a 10-day period with a standard set of documents, was issued a visa for 28 days. The departure date was July 19th. This indicates that French consulates may issue visas for longer durations than requested, even for standard applications.