How long to DQ and interview after the NVC?

Key answer

The community benchmark: allow at least 6-8 weeks for DQ, then about 6 more weeks until the interview date - but the spread between consulates is huge. In Abu Dhabi people waited about 8 months from DQ to the appointment letter (the interview itself is set a month or six weeks ahead), Poland is quoted at 8-9 months or more, while Almaty schedules quickly. Getting a Schengen visa in advance is pointless - it is issued exactly for the trip dates, and the medical exam may add an 8-week sputum test.

Community answers

The answers below are translated from the original Russian - the language of the community chats.

I have a complex situation with DQ, it's too long to write. But plan for at least 6-8 weeks for DQ, then about 6 more weeks until the interview date. Getting a Schengen visa in advance is pointless: first, after the X-ray, they may send you for a sputum test for 8 weeks; second, the Schengen visa is valid only for the travel dates, so a couple of weeks plus or minus won't work.
The timelines vary greatly, depending on the country where the interview will take place. I know about Abu Dhabi: people here wait about 8 months from the DQ letter to the interview appointment letter, and the interview is usually scheduled about a month to a month and a half in advance.
There is a plus: Almaty quickly schedules interviews - not 8-9 months or more like the Poles and others, where some wait over a year. If they send you for administrative processing sooner, you'll be released sooner, but that's not guaranteed.

The answers are anonymized community experience from the public chats, not legal advice. Officers may decide similar cases differently.

Sources

All questions on: Consulate and interview All questions on: Process and timelines

How long to DQ and interview after the NVC?

Community answers

Sources

Related on this site

Similar questions