When to Lodge a Visa Application - Processing Time and Fee

Standard Procedure

When you want to travel to the Schengen area, it is important that you apply in good time.
Applications can be submitted 6 months before departure at the earliest, and latest 15. days before departure.

According to the Schengen Visa Code, the processing time of a visa is 15 calendar days (incl. weekend and public holidays), counted from when the Embassy receives the application, which is typically the day after. However, if you apply on a Friday, the Embassy will not receive your application until the following Monday.

 

Note!
If you apply in Durban and Cape Town, the process will take 2 additional days, as the passport must be couried to and from Pretoria.

 

Late Application

If applicants want to submit an application, leaving less than the prescribed 15 days for processing, they will do so at their own risk. There is no guarantee that the processing of the application will be finalised prior to departure and no refund will be made. The Consulate will not answer emails asking for updates on the status either.

Submission to the Danish Immigration Service and Schengen Consultation

In some cases, the Consulate is obliged to sumbit the application to the Danish Immigration Service (DIS). This applies to but is not limited to applications in which a minor is travelling alone.

Schengen Consultation
Some nationals are subject to prior consultation in one of more Schengen countries, before a visa can be issued. The consultation takes around 8-10 days. Please see the list of countries.

Some applicants will need further processing by the Danish Immigration Service. In these instances, the application process may take considerably longer - up to 45 days. Therefore, it is advisable to apply in good time  just to make sure that you application has been finalised before you are scheduled to travel.

Note!
The Consulate always recommends that your flight and accommodation bookings are only provisional, as we cannot guarantee that your visa will be ready within the 15 days, if your application is subject to submission to DIS.

Visa Fee

The fee for applying for a visa can be found here. Please note that there is an extra service fee added when applying through VFS. Please see the fee structure for VFS here.

 

Schengen Entry

Holders of a Schengen visa are still subject to immigration control, and are not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries, even though they may hold a valid visa for these countries.

The possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the territory of the Schengen state. Should the Schengen State’s border authority refuse entry, no claim to reimbursement of the visa can be submitted. The border police at your Schengen destination may request the presentation of sufficient funds, a letter of invitation, hotel reservation and proof of travel medical insurance. Failure to present said funds/documents may result in entry being refused.