A few things on your mind?

No, and nobody honestly can. The decision belongs to the embassy or consulate. What we can do is make sure your file is complete, consistent and truthful, which is what gives an application its best chance.

It depends on the country and the season. As a guide: the UK says about 3 weeks after biometrics, Schengen countries have 15 days to decide and may take up to 45, and for the USA most of the wait is for the interview date. We tell you the current picture before you start.

In most cases, yes. A refusal is not a ban. Send us the refusal letter: the reasons in it tell us what the officer doubted, and the next file has to answer exactly that.

Most countries set no fixed figure. Officers look at whether your balance fits your income, whether the money has been there for some time, and whether it covers the trip you describe. A steady account is better than a large sum deposited last week.

Much of the work can be done over WhatsApp: the first assessment, the checklist, and checking your scanned papers. You must attend your biometrics appointment or interview yourself. No agent can do that for you.

The Schengen country where you will spend the most nights. If the nights are equal, the one you enter first. We plan your itinerary first and pick the consulate from that.

There is no official minimum. The officer checks that the money matches your income, that it has been in the account for a while, and that it covers the trip you describe. A sudden large deposit raises more questions than a modest, steady account.

Yes. Your host can pay for your stay. Their documents then become part of your file: proof of their status in the UK, payslips or bank statements, and proof of address.

Usually a handful of questions: why you are travelling, who is paying, what you do for a living, who you know in the US, and what brings you back. We practise these with you so that your answers are clear and match your form.

Yes. There is no waiting period, but applying again with the same file usually gets the same answer. We look at what has changed since the refusal and what the officer was unsure about.

The one your trip is really about. Consulates check that you are applying to your main destination, and a file built around the wrong country gets refused. We plan the itinerary first and choose the consulate from that.

Yes. A standard Schengen visa is valid for the whole area. You should still enter and spend most of your time where you said you would.

No. A Schengen visa issued by Italy is valid across the Schengen area. Italy should still be your main destination, because that is what you told the consulate.

When a private person hosts you in Spain, they apply for an official invitation letter at their local police station. The original is sent to you and goes into your file. If you are staying in hotels, bookings are enough.

It depends on your passport and on whether you hold a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, the US, the UK or Ireland. Send us a photo of your passport and visas on WhatsApp and we will tell you which route you fall under.

No. The consulate asks for the acceptance letter from a Turkish university, or your scholarship award letter. Once you have it, the visa file can be prepared quickly.

Yes. The visa is for entry. After you arrive and register at the university you apply for a student residence permit, which covers your stay for the course.