External service provider (VFS Global, BLS International, TLScontact)

Article 43 allows cooperation with an external service provider for the tasks in Article 43(6): information, appointments, collection of documents, fees and biometrics, and passport return. Article 43(4) reserves examination, interviews, decisions and sticker printing to the consulate. Article 17(4) caps the mandatory service fee at half the visa fee (EUR 45 at present) and Annex X requires optional extras to be labelled optional and data to be deleted within seven days of transmission. In India most Schengen states use VFS Global; Spain uses BLS International. See the outsourcer guide.