Is BLS International the embassy?

No. BLS International is a private company that collects applications and biometrics for the consulate. The consulate alone decides whether to issue the visa.

Is booking a BLS International appointment free?

Booking on the official site is free. You pay the visa fee and the service fee at or before submission. Avoid anyone selling slots.

Can BLS International tell me if my visa will be approved?

No. Staff only check that your file is complete and take biometrics. The decision is made by the consulate.

Guides·7 min read·Oct 29, 2026

BLS International Schengen Visa Appointment: How to Book (2026)

How to book a Schengen visa appointment with BLS International — mainly used by Spain — including the right portal, fees, documents and scam warnings.

By the SchengenDoc editorial team · Checked against the EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), European Commission visa statistics and official consulate checklists. How we verify

BLS International is a private outsourcing company that collects visa applications for some Schengen consulates — most often Spain in many countries. It does not decide applications; the Spanish (or other) consulate does.

01Key takeaways

BLS is mainly known for Spain. Check your destination's embassy website to see whether it uses BLS where you live.
Use only the official BLS portal linked from the consulate's site. Lookalike sites and paid "appointment agents" are common.
Each country has its own BLS portal, and you choose the visa centre city and category there.
Fees = visa fee + BLS service fee. Optional extras are not required.
Book early in peak seasons; slots for Spain fill quickly before summer.

02Step 1: Confirm BLS handles your consulate

Visa providers are chosen country by country. Spain uses BLS in many places, but not everywhere, and other countries may use BLS in some locations. Our verified country pages note where we found a different provider, so start from the country guide for where you live or from the embassy website.

03Step 2: Choose the right consulate

Apply to the country of your main destination (most nights). If Spain is only a short stop, you probably need to apply elsewhere.

04Step 3: Register and book on the official portal

Create an account with your email and phone number, verify them, then pick the visa centre, the short-stay category and a date. Some BLS portals ask you to verify with a one-time code. Save the confirmation.

05Step 4: Fees

Visa fee: €90 for adults, reduced for children aged 6–11.
BLS service fee: listed on the portal for your country.
Optional services: courier, SMS, premium lounge, form help — not required.

06Step 5: The appointment

Bring the confirmation, passport, application form and every item on the Spanish consulate's checklist for your country. Spain is strict on travel medical insurance and on proof of funds — make sure dates and amounts match your itinerary and cover letter. Biometrics are taken unless you gave them in the last 59 months.

07Avoiding appointment scams

Booking itself is free. Never pay for a "guaranteed" or "VIP" slot outside the official portal, and never share your login with an agent. If in doubt, follow the link from the embassy website only.

08Before the appointment: have your file ready

An appointment slot is only useful if the file is complete on the day. Missing or inconsistent documents mean a wasted trip or a refusal. Build your complete visa file — $19 (cover letter, itinerary and checklist matched to your trip). Not sure which papers you need? Use the free document checklist.

Appointment reality check: the slot wait comes first

The legal decision clock only starts once your application is lodged. Before that, you need an appointment — and how long that takes depends on your consulate or visa centre, not on the law.

Stage 1 — Appointment
"The applicant may be required to obtain an appointment for the lodging of an application. The appointment shall, as a rule, take place within two weeks from the date when it was requested." (Art. 9(2))
Stage 2 — Decision
"Applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days of the date of the lodging of an application which is admissible." (Art. 23(1))
Stage 3 — Possible extension
"That period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed." (Art. 23(2))

When you can apply (Art. 9(1))

Earliest: 6 months before the start of your trip (9 months for seafarers).
Latest: 15 calendar days before the start of your trip.

Have your documents ready before booking, so you can take a cancelled slot if one opens up.

Check your actual wait

Start from your destination consulate's website — it names the centre it uses. Our provider guides:

Source: consolidated EU Visa Code. Full processing-times guide

Going to your appointment? Print the folder-order checklist or read the field-by-field form guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is BLS International the embassy?: No. BLS International is a private company that collects applications and biometrics for the consulate. The consulate alone decides whether to issue the visa.
Is booking a BLS International appointment free?: Booking on the official site is free. You pay the visa fee and the service fee at or before submission. Avoid anyone selling slots.
Can BLS International tell me if my visa will be approved?: No. Staff only check that your file is complete and take biometrics. The decision is made by the consulate.