The earliest you can apply for your visa is 6 months before you intend to travel. In most cases, the processing time is 15 calendar days. After applying for your visa, you will not be able to take home your passport while your visa application is being processed.Note for airplane crew membersIf you are an airplane pilot or cabin crew member your passport will not have to remain with VFS during the processing of your visa application, subject to consent from embassy.Why you might wait longer than 15 calendar days:In some cases the processing time for your visa application may exceed 15 calendar days. Reasons why your visa application may take longer include: