I am a South African living in Australia. I am attempting to apply for a Schengen Visa and have done all the paperwork online with the French Embassy. However I HAVE to go via FVS for fingerprints. I have spent 7 WEEKS every single day trying to book an appointment with no success. This seems like GATE KEEPING with no reason. I will be losing my paid for travel arrangements simply because they do not supply appointments. There are alternate companies who charge a significant fee just to ATTEMPT to secure an appointment with VFS. How is this upholding my rights and dignities to choose where I wish to travel?
Recommendation: There is NO other way to go through this process so my only advice is don't travel to Europe unless you have an Australian passport.