Guide · Appointments

Consular appointments and biometrics: getting organised from Cameroon

Finding a slot, preparing your documents, getting through the visa centre: the keys to a stress-free appointment.

Updated on October 14, 2026

Who manages appointments?

Depending on the destination country, the application is lodged with a service provider appointed by the consulate (for example VFS Global or TLScontact) or directly at the embassy. For Canada, biometrics are given at a visa application centre (VAC) after the online application has been submitted.

Preparing for the day

  • confirm the appointment and check the time and address;
  • bring your passport and appointment letter;
  • sort your documents in the requested order, with copies;
  • plan for the service fees, payable as the provider requires;
  • arrive early: being late can cancel your appointment.

The interview

Some consulates ask a few questions when you lodge your file: purpose of the trip, dates, who is paying, professional situation. Answer simply and consistently with your file; we prepare you for it.

Traps to avoid

  • middlemen selling appointment slots: official providers only charge their published service fees;
  • websites imitating official portals: always check the website address;
  • appointments booked with incorrect information, which may be refused at the counter.

What FTGroup does for you

  • creating accounts and booking appointments on the official platforms;
  • a full check of the file before the appointment;
  • preparation for the interview questions;
  • follow-up of your passport until collection.

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Frequently asked questions

Consular appointments : your questions

Why is it so hard to get an appointment?

In peak season (holidays, start of the academic year), demand exceeds the available slots. You need to watch the platforms and book several weeks in advance.

Do I need to give biometrics for every application?

Not always: for Canada, biometrics are generally valid for ten years; for the Schengen area, recorded fingerprints can be reused for 59 months.

Can someone attend the appointment for me?

Not for biometrics, which require you in person. For lodging some files without biometrics, the rules depend on the consulate.

What exactly does FTGroup do?

We prepare and check your file, book the appointment in your name on the official platform and prepare you for it. Lodging the file and the decision remain the consulate’s responsibility.

FTGroup is a facilitator: we help you prepare, check and follow up your file, working with external specialists when needed. We are not a visa agent, a lawyer or a regulated immigration consultant, and no visa is guaranteed: the decision belongs solely to the authorities of the country concerned. Rules change often: always check the latest information on the official websites above.

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