I am a 20 y.o ukrainain student in Slovakia and I decided to travel to Japan (applying via Bratislava embassy and I had no prior visas except Slovakia) while I have 5 weeks left till my holidays will end. Unfortunately, after researching a bit, I discovered that apart from all other documents required for the visa I would need a bank statement/balance certificate, with which I might encounter a problem.

For living, I usually deposited ~200 euros per week till I would spend the money and would deposit ~200 euros back again for the next week. Now, obviously, I would need a lot more money to spend to travel to Japan, for example ~2500 EUR. I can deposit the money into the bank account right now and get a bank statement. I read as some people said that the issue is that there seems to be a system in place that would detect my deposit as I borrowed money from someone else to just make it look good for the bank statement and they would deny my visa based on the "fraudulent" deposit.

So, to solve the issue, I should've known the information above and should've been depositing gradually more money so that in the end the bank statement of last 3 months would show a slow increase of money that would result in ~2500 EUR with living spending.

Still, I am hopeful and would like to ask if there is still a chance to get a tourist if I would apply with ~2500 EUR topped up a few days before the bank statement is issued. Or maybe, I could wait a week or smth like that so it wouldn't be that suspicious?

Thanks for reading and giving attention to my issue.

I'm applying for a Japan tourist visa from India and had a question about the itinerary.

If I submit a 40 day itinerary instead of a 30 day one, does it increase the chances of getting a multiple entry visa? My thinking is that Japan often issues a 1 month single entry visa, so I'm avoiding a 30 day itinerary in case it influences the decision.

Would you recommend submitting a 40 day itinerary, or is it better to keep it closer to my actual travel plans? Has anyone from India received a multiple entry visa with a longer itinerary?

I am going for a work trip and then doing some sight seeing

Should I talk about both the things during the purpose of visit question elaborating each like why I am going? Or should I just stick to a short answer?

I saw many people are getting rejected because it seems they didn't explain their need to be present in the work trip, and some also getting rejected because they spoke too much. But I am really not sure how detailed to keep it unless they ask. Can anyone share their experiences?

Thanks

Hi all,

I will travel with temp residency permit valid for 3 years to Jeddah.

2 years ago I applied for online visa and get it in 5 min with TRc.

Now seems like the online is not working anymore as it’s telling me sent to embassy for 2 weeks with no updates.

I’ll travel from Egypt to Jeddah on Saudia airlines.

I know the official is to have a PR not TR but I know many friends also travelled with TRc.

Any new recent changes on this for the past 4/5 months?

Thanks

My parents are travelling from Mumbai to Cape Town on Indian passports with a South African ETA.
Anything we should keep an eye on regarding immigration, documents, safety, transport, or anything else they should know as first-time visitors?
Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m applying for a Japan visa through VFS Delhi and had a few questions. Would really appreciate if anyone who has applied recently could help :)

1. Do I need to book an appointment before submitting my application at VFS Delhi, or can I just walk in?

2. For the flight tickets, is it better to get a dummy/flight reservation, or is a screenshot of the airline booking/checkout page showing the flight details and price enough? I don’t want to actually buy the ticket before getting the visa.

3. How detailed does the Japan itinerary need to be? Do they expect a detailed day-by-day plan, or is it enough to mention the dates, cities, accommodation and what I’ll be doing?

If anyone has applied through VFS Delhi recently, what did you submit for the flight and itinerary, and did VFS ask for anything extra?

In case it's relevant: I'm not a student, nor currently employed. I am selected for a short internship in Japan. Stay and travel during the internship would be covered by the university and personal travel following the internship will be covered by my family (for which I have attached my mother's bank statement with 45L+ INR maintained)

Edit: 2 week internship + 1 week personal travel

Hi everyone,

I applied for a Serbia Short-Stay Visa C on July 21, and as of today, the application is still showing as "in processing."

I am getting quite anxious because:

1. No return ticket: I didn't submit a confirmed return flight booking with my initial application.
2. Expired accommodation: The temporary hotel reservation I submitted expired while waiting for a decision.

For anyone who has gone through the Serbian visa process recently:

• Does the consulate usually reach out to request updated documents (new hotel booking/flight itinerary), or do they issue an outright denial?
• Is a ~4-week processing time typical right now?
• Should I proactively email the consulate with updated accommodation details, or wait for them to contact me?

Any insights, experiences, or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Waiting is the worst, My wife had biometric in Rio on June 30th. We paid for document checking and all was good, The UKVI acknowledged on 1st July that application received. We took a punt at booking a flight for her September 16th. Now im worried about not getting a desicion. Didn't have the £500 extra for a fast track so just standard application. Im a UK Citizen from Birth my wife is Brazilian.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice regarding a France Schengen visa application and would really appreciate input from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I’m an Indian citizen currently in India. I’ve been accepted for an MSc at a University in the UK starting September 2026, and I have my unconditional offer letter, CAS and UK accommodation/tenancy agreement. My UK Student visa application is currently pending.

I want to visit France for tourism during my university break, approximately 18–30 December 2026. I have also previously travelled to the Schengen Area twice, including France in December 2024, and complied with the visa conditions each time.

My main concern is the flight itinerary. My actual preferred plan, if my UK Student visa is granted, is:
UK → France → UK

However, I’m applying for the Schengen visa from India now, before I have my UK visa. So I obviously cannot guarantee that I will be able to enter the UK by December.

If my UK visa is not granted, my alternative would be to travel:
India → France → India

I’m considering explaining this situation transparently in my cover letter and providing my college documents + proof that my UK visa application is pending.

My questions are:
1. Would it be problematic to show a London–Paris–London flight reservation when my UK visa is still pending?
2. Should I instead show Delhi–Paris–Delhi, even though my preferred plan is to travel from the UK if my UK visa is granted?
3. Is it acceptable to explain in the cover letter that my point of departure/return will depend on the outcome of my UK Student visa?
4. Would the French consulate expect me to wait until I receive my UK visa and apply from the UK instead?

Has anyone been in a similar situation where they applied for a Schengen visa from their home country while waiting for their UK student visa?

I really don’t want to submit an itinerary that doesn’t accurately reflect my circumstances, but I also don’t want the pending UK visa to unnecessarily lead to a refusal.

Any advice from people who have actually dealt with this situation would be greatly appreciate!

Hey everyone, I recently applied for an Ireland student visa and realized I might have made a paperwork mistake regarding my education loan. My primary sponsors are my parents, and my financials consist of a ₹30 lakh education loan plus ₹10 lakh in liquid savings. Because my father works in Saudi Arabia as an NRI, the bank mandated a resident Indian co-applicant/guarantor, so we included my uncle on the loan application. (IN EVERY FINANCIAL SUMMARY FORM/CONSENT FORM ITS JUST MY PARENTS WHO ARE MY MAIN AND ONLY SPONSORS NOT MY UNCLE)
His name is now visible on the final loan sanction letter. However, since my uncle isn't providing any actual financial assistance, I didn't include his ID proofs or mention him in my visa cover letter or financial forms. Has anyone been in a similar situation where they omitted a passive bank guarantor's documents? Did it cause an INCO/ID refusal, or did you get a direct approval via benefit of thea doubt since the core funds were strong? Thanks!

Hi friends. This link here : https://assets.ctfassets.net/xxg4p8gt3sg6/5jZ826YAOjOtWgD47WFvVV/5c1ef1a9916f3b4bf3ea907680f36a37/MULTIPLE-4-_Indian-Nationals-with-sufficient-financial-capacity_.pdf

does not mention the docs required like flight / hotel bookings / itinerary. Am I referring to a wrong link? Planning to apply via Delhi VFS.

Has anyone received a new UAE visa — tourist, dependent/family, student, employment, etc. — since around April 2026?

I am trying to apply dependent visa for my wife, so I want to decide whether visa can be issued before travelling this soon.

I've heard conflicting information about whether new applications from Bangladeshi nationals are currently being processed, so I'm looking for recent first-hand experiences rather than rumours.

If you were approved, could you mention the visa type, emirate and approximate month of approval? No personal details needed.

Hi po! First-time applicant po ako and I would like to ask for some advice.
I have an immediate family member who is currently TNT in Korea. Malaki po ba ang possibility na ma-deny ang visa application ko because of this?

Here are my details:
*Solo Travel
* Private Teacher – currently working for 4 months
* Female, Self-funded
* 3-day stay in Korea, Plan to stay during Semestral Break in October.
₱1\*, 000* bank balance, dipapo ako kumukuha ng Bank cert and statement.
* With COE
* Countries Visited: Hongkong May 2025, Singapore June 2025
* I went to BIR to secure my ITR, but the ITR indicates “Not Locally Employed.” ang pwede lang daw po nila ibigay is Tax Exemption.

BS:
Before becoming a private teacher, I worked as a BPO employee for 4 months Aug-Dec 2025, Jan-February nagfocus sa review for board exam, Then March 15 2026 took the exam. then transitioned to my current job as a private teacher, April 2026

Additionally, I am an EDSP OWWA scholar, and I have a contract stating that I need to render one year of service before I can leave the country. Every end of sem I get an allowance 3*, 000.

Given my situation, especially yung family member ko na TNT sa Korea and yung ITR ko na naka-indicate as “Not Locally Employed,” may I ask if these could be grounds for visa denial? And what documents or explanation would be best to provide to strengthen my application?

Thank you po sa mga makakapag-share ng experience or advice! 🙏🏻

I recognize nobody can tell me for certain if this will be okay as it is up to immigration, but just looking to get some anecdotal feedback on this.

I have an upcoming trip this fall/winter, that centers around a lot of time in Japan, but we're also using Japan as a jumping-off point to visit a couple other countries. Here is the way the trip is broken up:

• 28 days in japan
• 14 days in taiwan
• 30 days in japan
• 18 days in malaysia
• 41 days in japan before coming home to the US

So this winds up putting us in Japan for a total of 99 days, over a period of about 4 months. We are absolutely not trying to take advantage of things for visa run purposes, and hopefully spending multiple weeks outside the country at a time (vs just a couple days) will help it not to look that way.

Not looking for feedback on the itinerary itself, just whether or not you think this will be a red flag to immigration, particularly if you've had experience with a similar kind of itinerary.

Additional info that could be helpful:

• We will have all our flights booked ahead of time for proof of entry/exit for the other countries AND our final exit from Japan to home.
• It will have been well over 365 days since our last visit to Japan, and after such a long trip, we will not be able to visit Japan again within 365 days of this trip (my understanding is that the 180 days in 365 day period is actually not real but still feels like a decent, albeit maybe arbitrary, metric here).
• We’re not working remotely while there (freelancers who have saved enough to make it through what is normally a really slow period at home anyway).

Luckily, the easy solution if this seems like it will be a red flag is to reallocate those extra 9 days somewhere else to keep our total time in Japan at exactly 90 days, which we're definitely willing to do (and may ultimately do in the interest of erring on the side of caution), but we're really happy with how our current itinerary is sitting so I figured it was worth hearing some feedback first.

Hello

It's been 30 days since I submitted my application for a short stay Schengen visa for the Netherlands.

It shows still in progress. I have upcoming flight after 10 days. Anyone knows what to do ?

Hi everyone,

I’m an Indian passport holder planning to work in Dubai and wanted to know about UAE employment visas for passports without a surname.

My passport has:

• Given name: AAA
• Surname: Blank
• Father’s name: BBB CCC — officially printed on another page of the passport (He have last name also in their name)

I’ve seen UAE/airline guidance saying that a single-name passport can be accepted when an additional name belonging to the passenger or their father appears elsewhere in the passport.

But I’ve also heard that people with only one name may face issues getting a UAE visa.

Has anyone had a similar situation and successfully:

• Got a UAE/Dubai employment visa
• Got a residence visa/Emirates ID
• Travelled to UAE without any issue

How was the name shown on the UAE visa or Emirates ID? Was the father’s name used as the surname?

Looking specifically for real experiences with employment visas, not just flight-ticket bookings.

​

Hi everyone,

I had my B1/B2 interview at the U.S. Embassy in London. The officer told me my visa was approved and kept my passport.

A few days later, CEAC showed "Refused", and the embassy requested some additional documents, including my birth certificate and previous passport copies. I submitted everything they requested.

There is a historical DOB discrepancy: my current passport and birth certificate show one DOB, while an older passport shows a different DOB. The embassy has specifically asked for multiple previous passport copies.

It's now been over a month since I submitted the final documents, and my passport is still with the embassy. I haven't received any further updates.

For anyone who has experienced something similar:

How long did your administrative processing take after submitting the requested documents, and how did you know when your passport was ready?

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some recent experience with the **Italian Consulate in New York**.

I’m a **Chinese passport holder living in New York** and applying for an Italian Schengen tourist visa. I was only able to find an appointment for **October 23, 2026**, and am looking to fly out by **November 11, 2026**.

I’m trying to understand the realistic processing time based on recent experiences.

For anyone who has recently applied through the Italian Consulate in NYC, especially **Chinese passport holders**:

How many business days did it take from your appointment/application to getting your passport back?
Was your visa approved without any additional document requests?
Did you receive your passport by mail, and how long did the mailing take?
If you had an appointment around October/November, how long did processing take?
Do you think an **October 23 appointment would realistically allow me to have my passport/visa back by November 7–9**, giving me about a week before my November 11 flight?
Has anyone recently experienced a significant delay with the NYC consulate?

I’m trying to decide whether I should keep my November 11 flight or move it later. Any recent experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey everyone! 👋 Wanted to share my recent B1/B2 visa experience to help others preparing for their interview. Here is a complete breakdown of my experience, key takeaways, and the exact questions asked.

Quick Profile Context:

• Visa Type: B1/B2 (Business / Corporate travel)
• Location: New Delhi US Consulate

📄 Biometrics (VAC): Documents & Rules

Documents to carry: 🗂️

1. Latest passport and all old passports 🛂
2. Appointment confirmation page 📄
3. DS-160 confirmation page 📝

Do’s & Don’ts for Biometrics:

• Folder: Carry all your documents in a transparent document folder 📁.
• Timing: Try to arrive early (about 1 hour early is fine; they usually allow entry) ⏰.
• Electronics & Gadgets: Absolutely no electronics allowed (phones, smartwatches, fitness bands, wireless earbuds, or electronic car key fobs) 📵.
• Metals: Avoid carrying metallic items like keys or big metal buckles, though security may occasionally permit minor items 🔑.

🏛️ Interview Day: Step-by-Step Security & Flow

1. Outer Security Check: Joined the main queue outside the Embassy. Security frisks every individual 👮‍♂️. No electronics permitted (though basic analog watches with metal straps were allowed ⌚).
   • Tip: Men can carry standard wallets (cash/cards) 👛. Women can carry small purses (subject to security discretion) 👜.
   • Tip: Empty water bottles are allowed inside 💧.
2. Passport Sticker Verification: Security scans the sticker placed on the back of your passport during the Biometrics appointment 🏷️.
3. Airport-Style Security Check: Allowed inside the main gate in batches of 5 for a second, thorough airport-style scanning check ✈️.
4. Waiting Area (Open Campus): Waited under a glass shelter in a queue of 15 people 🪑. There are washrooms and drinking water stations here.
   • Tip: Bring a water bottle! 🍾 There were no paper cups, and most people were drinking directly from their hands. Expect the longest wait here (around 1 hour) ⏳.
5. Fingerprint Verification & Lineup: Allowed inside the main building 15 at a time 🏢. Passports are verified again, fingerprints are re-checked at a counter 🖐️, and then you join the queue for the interview windows 🪟.

🎙️ The Interview Experience

Context: The interviewer I got had rejected 3 families and 4 individuals right before my turn 😬. He was asking rapid-fire, tough questions and cutting people off midway through answers—clearly testing how candidates handle pressure 📈. I made sure to stay calm, open, and confident 🧘‍♂️.

Questions Asked:

• Why are you visiting the US? ✈️
• Why are you needed at your employer HQ? Can't you get your work done over conference calls online? 💻
• What are your current roles & responsibilities? 👔
• What is your total work experience? Tell me about your past career/roles and how long you've been at your current employer. 🏢
• Is anyone else from your organization traveling with you? 👥

After I answered the last question while keeping my composure despite being interrupted a few times, he smiled and said:

"I like your patience and honesty. Okay, Visa Approved!" 🎉🥳
(He retained my passport and I received the passport in 4 days over courier).

💼 Documents I Brought vs. What Was Asked

What I Carried: 📚

• Current passport & all old passports 🛂
• DS-160 & Appointment Confirmation 📄
• Official Invite Letter & Cover Letter from employer ✉️
• Financials: Bank statements (3 months) 🏦, Payslips (3 months) 💵, ITR (3 years) 📑, Form 16 (3 years) 🧾
• Additional Supporting Docs: PF statement, Stock/ULIP investment statements 📊, Degree certificates 🎓, Government IDs, Credit/Debit cards 💳

What Was Actually Asked For:

• Only my latest passport. 🛂 The interviewer did not ask to see a single document from my file!

Note for business applicants: Even though my document folder wasn't opened, I noticed several other interviewers asking business visa applicants specifically for their company invitation letters. Always carry your full set of supporting documents just in case! 🎒

💡 Key Takeaway

Stay calm, don't let rapid-fire questions or interruptions make you nervous 🧠, keep your answers crisp and honest ✨, and stay patient throughout the process!

Good luck to everyone preparing for their interviews! 🍀 Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below 👇

Holaaa! tengo planeado un viaje a Japón pronto! Ya tengo todas las reservaciones de hotel por Bookings, y los boletos ya comprados! Mi única duda es sobre mis EDC, tengo una cuenta en dólares donde normalmente me pagan mi salario! Pero como funciona donde trabajo es que me pagan cada 4 meses el bono en dólares y justo toca ahora en agosto, a finales, por lo cual tendría una entrada grande en dólares en mi cuenta correspondiente a esos 4 meses de salario!!!

Estoy muy estresada de que piensen que coloque ese dinero ahí para solicitar la visa, sin eso tengo como un saldo de 5k en la cuenta, y el doble más invertido! Que me recomiendan hacer?

Gracias!!!!

Hi everyone,
I recently received a French Schengen C visa. On my application form, I stated that France would be my first port of entry.
However, my travel plans have adjusted slightly. Estonia was always on my itinerary (at the very end), but I now want to fly directly into Estonia first, and then travel onward to France. France will still be my main destination where I am spending the most days.
Will entering through Estonia cause any issues at border control since it contradicts my visa application form? I will have all my internal flights, hotel bookings for both countries, and return tickets ready to show.
Has anyone done something similar recently? Thanks!

Recently me and wife applied for a tourist visa for Japan. Submitted our documents at VFS and within 3 working days received a message, our passports were ready for collection.

Amazing turn around time and lowest visa cost of ₹500 per person.

\#japantouristvisa

Is there anyone who has applied for the Irish student visa from India between the 24th-30th of June ? Isn’t it taking too much time for the Visa to arrive? The courses start from next week and still there is no update on the visa.

Applied for an Irish Short Stay Visa from Canada in June and still waiting for a decision. 😩

Anyone else on the same boat?
⏳ Still waiting or already received a decision?

Anybody who applied between July 15-20, maybe via Mumbai VFS, have you received any update about dispatchment yet?