Schengen visa applications halted

The new biometric requirements for Schengen visa applications, which will be imposed from June 6, are causing mayhem for travellers wanting to leave to Europe on short notice.

A visa agent, who preferred to stay anonymous, told TNW that Capago South Africa, the visa company that collects and manages visa applications for France and Italy, has closed its doors for the week as it is transitioning towards the new biometric system. She explained the closure of the Capago office had left some of her business clients stranded. One client, who needed a visa urgently for a business trip to France, had to cancel his flights and postpone his meetings.

Capago notes on its website that as May 29, the French Consulate in Johannesburg will implement biometry for the issuances of all visas. It states: “Applicants are informed that during the set-up of biometry, the number of applicants will be limited until May 31.” However, the visa agent told TNW the first available appointment for visa applications at Capago was halfway through June. Capago South Africa could not be reached for comment.

The embassy of Finland has also told TNW it will not accept any new applications until June 6. The embassy is currently trying to clear up a backlog of applications. Finland’s visa officer in South Africa, Annastiina Gustafsson, explained the embassy had dealt with an influx of applications over the past few weeks from travellers trying to get their visa before the new requirements were in place. She said, once the backlog was cleared, she didn’t expect any further delays or problems with the new system.