Capago Visas: A Comprehensive Overview

If you're planning a trip to France or Belgium, applying for a visa might feel like an intimidating task.

That’s where Capago steps in to make the process smoother, more manageable, and acts as a liaison between you and the foreign embassy/consulate.

Capago isn't a government entity, it's a visa processor that specializes in handling French (and other) visa applications for travelers from specific countries (we’ll dive into what that entails below).

Their high-quality services are designed to take the stress out of the application process, ensuring that everything is in order before your documents are sent to the French consulate for a final decision to be made.

With their user-friendly system, Capago has helped thousands of travelers successfully apply for their visas for their trips abroad.

What is Capago?

Capago provides visa application services on behalf of the French consulate. Instead of dealing directly with the consulate, applicants apply through Capago, which acts as a liaison between the applicant (you) and the embassy.

Capago ensures that you have all of the required paperwork, biometrics, and application forms before it forwards them to the appropriate consulate for review.

Capago serves citizens from the following countries:

• Azerbaijan
• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Guinea
• Kuwait
• Lesotho
• Mali
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• Togo

Starting in April 2025, Capago will serve applicants in Algeria.

Is Capago Legit?

Yes, Capago is a legitimate and authorized visa service provider. They have partnered with the French government to streamline visa applications, providing a reliable and trustworthy service. The company's website and systems follow strict security protocols to protect applicants’ sensitive information. They're held to high standards and undergo a rigorous vetting process, as well as continued reviews and monitoring.

Additionally, Capago operates with the official backing of the French consulates in the regions it serves, meaning they are trusted to handle your visa application safely and efficiently.

When working with Capago, you can be assured that you're working with an official partner of the French or Belgian diplomatic services, which offers peace of mind during what could otherwise be a stressful process.

How to book a Capago visa appointment

Booking an appointment through Capago is easy to do. The first step is to go to the official Capago website and select your country of residence.

You’ll need to create an account and fill in the required forms. The system will guide you through the process and tell you what you need to submit for your application. This includes things like passport photos, application forms, proof of travel insurance, financial documents, and more.

After submitting your details online, you can select a date and time for your visa appointment. You'll see what's currently available, but new time slots are released regularly.

Be sure to book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, as appointment slots can fill up quickly, and in-person appointments are mandatory for Schengen visa applications.

It’s worth noting, however, that the visa application process will change in the future. In the coming years, Schengen visa applications will be submitted online via a new platform called EU VAP. This system is set to be fully operational by 2030.

How to submit biometrics with Capago

All Schengen visa applications require biometric data, which includes your fingerprints. Your biometric data will be taken at the time of your visa appointment, usually after all of the documents have been reviewed and organized.

However, Capago may offer an in-home solution for biometric collection for an additional fee per person, depending on your location.

How to check your Capago visa status

Once you’ve submitted your visa application in person, you can track its status directly on the Capago website!

After your appointment, Capago will send your application to the relevant consulate or embassy for a final decision to be made. While Capago handles the administrative part of the visa process, they don't actually have any say in whether or not visas are approved or denied. They aren't able to put in a good word for a candidate and have no ability at all to influence the decision.

While waiting for a decision to be made, you can log into your account and check the status of your application at any time. This allows you to follow whether or not your application has begun processing and where it falls within the timeline.

This tracking feature is a convenient way to stay informed about where your application stands, helping to ease any anxiety you might have while you're waiting.

Capago processing times

Capago processing times vary depending on a few different things, including the type of visa you’re applying for, the time of year, how busy the consulate is, and other components too.

Typically, after your application is submitted, it takes around 15 days for a short-stay French or Belgian visa to be processed – but it can take longer, especially during peak travel seasons or holidays.

Because processing times can be longer (15 days is never guaranteed), it’s highly recommended that you begin your visa application well before your intended travel date.

Capago can only forward your application to the consulate; the actual approval time is up to the embassy, not Capago.

FAQs about Capago