I was in Malta<\/a> for Christmas with family and all of us needed to get a Schengen visa before the trip. I applied for my Schengen tourist visa from France<\/a> since I was staying the longest in France post the trip to Malta.<\/p>\n So imagine our surprise when some of us were called for a Schengen visa interview. In this post, I write about what are some of the Schengen visa interview questions and answers, what was our experience like and what you can expect if you are called for a Schengen interview.<\/p>\n Planning your trip to Malta at the last minute?<\/strong><\/p>\n I know everyone is busy and don\u2019t have time to plan their trip to Malta. That is why I have covered you with links to some places to stay in Malta, must do experiences and more details at one glance.<\/p>\n Where to stay in Malta?<\/strong><\/p>\n Must do tours in <\/strong>Malta<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Before I go into the details, I wanted to give a small introduction and our backgrounds.<\/p>\n Like I mentioned before, I applied via France and did not have to attend a Schengen visa interview. My 2 year Schengen tourist visa was approved in a day and I got my passport in less than 3 days. <\/p>\n Frequent readers of this site will know that I travel a lot and hence haven\u2019t faced a visa rejection before.<\/p>\n But to add, both my sisters and my parents are extremely well travelled, have been to the Schengen zone multiple times in the past and one of my sisters have even worked in the Schengen zone for around 8 months.<\/p>\n It was both my nephew\u2019s (aged 10 and 2) first time to the Schengen area though. My 2 brother in laws and my husband did not join us for this trip.<\/p>\n My sister and one nephew who lived in Dubai had to only go to the VFS to submit their documents and take biometrics. Even though they were told that Malta embassy in Dubai might call them for an interview, they were not called for an interview.<\/p>\n My sister and my parents in Bangalore were called for a Schengen visa interview appointment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A visa interview is usually done by a member of the embassy to assess if you, a Schengen visa applicant are capable of visiting their country.<\/p>\n This interview could be face to face, over a phone call or over a video call depending on the country requesting it.<\/p>\n Not all countries conduct these interviews. But a large number of applicants to Iceland, Malta and Hungary are usually called for these interviews.<\/p>\n Malta used to not be on the list before. But in recent years, many applicants who are tourists have misused the Malta visa system to gain access to the country and Europe as a resident. Hence, they are stricter these days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No, they are not the same.<\/p>\n All visitors to the Schengen zone need a Schengen visa appointment<\/a> to submit their documents and biometrics.<\/p>\n However, a very tiny percentage of these are called for a Schengen tourist visa interview.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n These interviews are to check the following things:<\/p>\n As mentioned before, you do not have an option to schedule an interview. This needs to be decided by the embassy.<\/p>\n In our case, the Malta embassy got back to us around 15 days after they submitted their documents. It was the festival season then and that could be the reason it took so much time to review their application.<\/p>\n We received a mail asking my parents and my sister to come to VFS Bangalore for an interview. The interview was scheduled for 7 days from the date of the mail. This was also informed to the primary applicant (my dad) by phone.<\/p>\n P.s My 2 year old nephew was not asked to attend the interview for obvious reasons but they still took him. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Please note that this is in addition to all the documents that you submitted during your Schengen visa appointment.<\/p>\n This is clearly mentioned in the visa interview mail and please carry all of the below:<\/p>\n In the case of Malta, they do a video call and this is usually conducted at the VFS center since we do not have a Malta embassy in Bangalore. In case you are in a city with an embassy, you may be called for a face to face interview.<\/p>\n All VFS centers in India are equipped with a dedicated video conferencing room which has a connect to most Schengen embassies. This is particularly useful for students who may need to clear an interview before getting a Schengen study visa.<\/p>\n Iceland and Hungary usually conduct telephonic interviews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Truthfully, please wear what is convenient for you and it is best that you go in clothes that you wear on a day to day basis.<\/p>\n Remember that it is not a job interview. But as long as you look presentable and decent for your interview, it should be fine.<\/p>\n No, there is no additional fees other than what you have paid during your Schengen visa appointment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Since I am the default travel planner in the family, it was my duty to prepare them for all the Schengen visa interview questions. After doing my research from around the internet, these are the ones I prepared. <\/p>\n Please find the answers too and this was very specific to our trip and for my parents. Please modify them accordingly if you are applying for a study or business visa.<\/p>\n Random Miscellaneous questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n My parents and sister were asked to be at the VFS center at 10:30 AM for the interview and were asked to be at the center at least 30 mins prior.<\/p>\n This is to make sure that you have enough time for security and check in at the VFS center. This is similar to Schengen visa appointments.<\/p>\n All 3 of them were called separately for the interview. This was to ensure that the answers they gave as well as what was submitted in the Malta visa application was consistent.<\/p>\n These were the questions that were asked. They had two interviewers on video call from the embassy.<\/p>\n Common Questions to all 3 of them:<\/strong><\/p>\n My Mom:<\/strong><\/p>\n My Dad:<\/strong><\/p>\n My sister:<\/strong><\/p>\n That is it. They didn\u2019t ask too many questions and all of them hardly took 5 mins each.<\/p>\n My dad\u2019s first comment after he finished his interview was that it just seemed like a formality and the decision was already made before the interview.<\/p>\n He was right.<\/p>\n They dispatched the passport the next day and we received it in Bangalore the subsequent day. That is two days after the interview.<\/p>\n Obviously, we had a positive outcome and all 4 of them received a visa for 10 days from the Embassy of Malta.<\/p>\n My sister and nephew who applied from Dubai also got it for a duration of 7 days but they did not have to attend the interview in Dubai.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n These are some of the things to keep in mind to make your visa interview more easier to manage and a higher success rate:<\/p>\n No, it is not difficult and can be easily done in less than 5 mins if done right. Hope the tips mentioned here make the visa interview easier.<\/p>\n Like mentioned before, this is not applicable for everyone and it is at the discretion of the embassy.<\/p>\n Hope all the points mentioned here will help you pass the Schengen visa interview.<\/p>\n The Schengen visa interview is an optional step in the application process for individuals looking to travel within the Schengen Area. It provides an opportunity for consular officers to assess the applicant\u2019s intentions, ties to their home country, and overall eligibility for the visa. <\/p>\n By our experience, it shows that by preparing for the interview and providing all necessary documentation, applicants can increase their chances of a successful outcome. <\/p>\n Remember to be honest, confident, and courteous during the interview, as these qualities can make a positive impression on the interviewing officer. <\/p>\n All the best and hope this post helps if you have to attend a Schengen visa in the future. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below.<\/p>\n BOOKING RESOURCES<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking to book your trip now? Find some of my favorite resources I use while booking my trip. You can also find my travel gear here<\/a>.<\/p>\nSchengen Visa Interview Details<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"ABC](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/bridge-1660417_1920-1024x778.jpg\"\/)
![\"ABC](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/bridge-1660417_1920-1024x778.jpg\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Schengen](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Schengen-Visa-Interview-Questions-and-Answers-4-1024x768.jpg\"\/)
![\"Schengen](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Schengen-Visa-Interview-Questions-and-Answers-4-1024x768.jpg\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\nWhat is a Schengen Visa Interview?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Do all countries conduct Schengen tourist visa interviews?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Are they the same as a Schengen visa appointment?<\/span><\/h3>\n
What do they check during a tourist visa interview?<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
How do I schedule an interview with the embassy? Schengen visa interview location<\/span><\/h3>\n
What documents need to be carried for Schengen interviews?<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Schengen](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Schengen-Visa-Interview-Questions-and-Answers-3-1024x768.jpg\"\/)
![\"Schengen](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Schengen-Visa-Interview-Questions-and-Answers-3-1024x768.jpg\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\nWhat is the mode of the interview?<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Netherlands_Travel_Tips\"](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Netherlands_Travel_Tips.jpg\"\/)
![\"Netherlands_Travel_Tips\"](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Netherlands_Travel_Tips.jpg\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDress Code for Schengen visa interview<\/span><\/h3>\n
Is there a fee for the interview?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Schengen visa interview questions and answers \/ What to expect in Schengen visa interview?<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
![\"Schengen](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Schengen-Visa-Interview-Questions-and-Answers-1024x768.jpg\"\/)
![\"Schengen](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Schengen-Visa-Interview-Questions-and-Answers-1024x768.jpg\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\nSchengen visa interview India (Our experience)<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
How long does Schengen visa interview take?<\/span><\/h3>\n
How long did they take after the interview to make a decision?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Outcome of the Schengen tourist visa interview<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Best_Mediterranean_Destinations\"](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Best_Mediterranean_Destinations-3-1024x768.jpg\"\/)
![\"Best_Mediterranean_Destinations\"](\"https:\/\/travelbooksfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Best_Mediterranean_Destinations-3-1024x768.jpg\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSome things to keep in mind for your Schengen interview<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
Is Schengen visa interview difficult?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Is interview required for Schengen visa?<\/span><\/h3>\n
How to pass Schengen visa interview?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n