So, here is the news that has just broken: the processing times for Schengen visas for Algerians have now been extended. If you are planning a trip to France in the coming weeks, give yourself a little more time to avoid getting stuck at the last minute! The French consulate in Algeria has just announced that the processing of Schengen visa applications will now take up to four weeksDon’t panic, I’ll explain everything to you in this article, in a simple and relaxed way.
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Why this extended deadline?
You're probably wondering why this deadline has been extended. Well, it's simple: demand is very high! The consulate is overwhelmed with visa applications, and it takes them longer to process all the files. It's a bit like when you go to the post office on a Monday morning: there are people, so it takes longer!
It could be said that France is still a popular destination for Algerians, whether for holidays, family visits, or business trips. There is a real craze, and the consulates are a little overwhelmed, hence this extension of the delays.
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If you have ever applied for a visa, you know that patience is required, but now you will have to be even more forward-looking. The advice from consular authorities is clear: prepare your trips in advance and submit your visa applications as early as possible. And I'm not talking about one or two weeks in advance, but four weeks.
Reorganization of Requests: 14 Algerian Provinces Redirected to the Consulate of Annaba
Another important piece of information: the Consulate General of France has indicated that visa applications from 14 provinces (or wilayas) will now be processed by the consulate in Annaba. It's a bit like reorganizing the counters to better manage the crowd!
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The 14 provinces concerned
Here is the list of provinces whose requests will be processed in Annaba:
- Annaba
- Jijel
- Skikda
- El Tarf
- Setif
- Mila
- Constantine
- Guelma
- Souk Ahras
- Oum El Bouaghi
- Batna
- Biskra
- Khenchela
- Tebessa
If you live in one of these provinces, your file will be processed in Annaba. Don't panic, this doesn't change anything for you in terms of the steps to take. It's just information to know.
A few figures to give you an idea…
I love numbers, don't you? Here are some interesting statistics regarding Schengen visa applications in Algeria:
• In 2023, 53,379 visa applications were submitted to the Annaba consulate.
• Of these requests, 61,3% were approved, or 32,711 visas granted.
• In Algiers, it is even more impressive: 152,411 applications were filed in 2023.
• The approval rate in Algiers is slightly higher, with 69.6% of visas granted, or 106,124 visas.
To fully understand the scale of demand, just take a look at the numbers. In 2023, 53,379 Algerians have submitted a Schengen visa application to the consulate in Annaba. Among these applications, 61.3 % were approved, either 32,711 visas issued.
This may seem a bit complicated, but when you compare it with the consulate in Algiers, the difference is obvious. The latter received 152,411 requests and approved it 106 124 (either 69.6 % approval rate). In other words, Algiers is much more in demand than the other consulates.
Visa costs on the rise
But that's not all. In addition to the extended deadlines, another piece of news has shaken up visa applicants a bit this year: the cost of visa applications has increased. Yes, you read that right, you'll now have to pay a little more to get your hands on this precious sesame.
In June 2023, the European Commission decided to increase the visa fee by 12,5 %. Thus, the costs went from 80 € to 90 €. It may not seem like much, but if we do the math, with approximately 410,000 visa applications per year, Algerians will pay a total of approximately 36.8 million euros for their visas.
And to give you a more concrete idea, in 2023, the Algerians filed 392,053 visa applications and spent about 31.3 million euros in visa fees. If you are one of those who travel frequently, this can represent a real budget to plan for.
France: still at the top of the list of destinations
Despite these cost increases and longer delays, France remains by far the preferred destination for Algerians. Whether for family or professional reasons, or simply to discover the wonders of the country, demand is not weakening. Moreover, Algerians, along with Tunisians and Moroccans, are among the main applicants Schengen visas for France.
And to be honest, this doesn't surprise me at all. With the shared history between France and Algeria, the French-speaking world, and family ties, France remains an obvious choice for many. And it must be said that it's not just the Schengen visas that interest Algerians. France is also a key destination for residence permit and citizenship applications. In short, a solid bond that continues to grow stronger.
What to expect for the future?
So, are these extended lead times here to stay? It’s hard to say. With demand still very strong and the economy changing, it’s possible that these four weeks will become the new norm, at least for a while.
It should be remembered that relations between the European Union and Algeria, particularly in terms of visas, may evolve. We can also expect further increases in visa fees in the coming years, especially if demand continues to grow. It will therefore be interesting to follow this closely.
