Data processing problems may delay Schengen visa, German embassy advises applicants

Travelers who apply for Schengen visas via the German Embassy in Manila may have to bear with a long wait of at least 12 days.

In a statement on its website, the embassy on Tuesday said German embassies and consulates worldwide are experiencing "significant delays" in processing such applications.

"These delays vary from application to application. They can take up to 12 calendar days or longer, and are caused by extended data processing times," it said in a statement.

According to the embassy, it cannot issue a visa without the result of the electronic data processing. It added there is nothing it can do for now to change the situation.

"If you submitted your application with complete documents, an extended processing time does not automatically mean there is a problem with your application. It probably only means the Embassy will have to wait longer for the permission to complete the visa processing," it said.

The Embassy said it "sincerely regrets any problems and inconveniences that may be caused by this ongoing problem."

For now, it advised applicants to "plan in sufficient time for the visa application before your intended date of travel." —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News