We will tell you what are the reasons for refusing a visa, why they may not be given a Schengen visa, and what to do in such cases.
Top 10 Reasons for refusing a Schengen visa
Let’s consider the main reasons for refusing a Schengen visa.
1. Providing invalid documents. This is prevented immediately, especially the provision of fake documents (for example, a fake job certificate or insurance).
Applicants make a fake certificate from work, I do not take into account that the consulate can verify its authenticity. For example, they may call the employer, or they may start asking questions that most likely cannot be answered.
2. Your passport will expire earlier than 3 months from the expected date of departure from the Schengen area.
3. Your passport does not have a sufficient number of blank pages – there should be at least two of them.
4. You have not provided documents explaining the purpose of the trip:
- the applicant did not attach all the documents required by the consulate for the visa (all reservations, tickets, insurance, route sheet, etc.);
- The attached documents do not confirm the purpose of the trip.
This is a very broad and controversial point, and embassies like to refuse applicants for this very reason when at first glance the package of documents looks quite good. Imagine that when applying for a tourist visa, you are going to live for several weeks in some unknown and non-tourist village – this is exactly the situation that fits this paragraph.
When applying for a visitor visa, family ties with residents of the Schengen area have not been confirmed;
- the requested length of stay does not coincide with the dates of the vacation provided, or you leave work for a suspiciously long period (this happens if, for example, you go to a language course without attaching confirmation from the school);
- the hotel reservation has not been paid;
- hotel reservation was canceled or plane/train/bus tickets returned.
5. The availability of funds for living in the Schengen area or for returning home has not been confirmed:
- there are not enough funds in the bank account;
- the bank statement does not have a bank seal, or a statement of the movement of funds is not attached if required.
6. Over the past 180 days, you have already been in the Schengen area for a total of more than 90 days.
7. The previously issued visa was not used or was not used for its intended purpose (the applicant did not enter the country to the consulate of which he applied).
8. You have received a negative message in the Schengen Information System, to which all Schengen countries have access. Unpaid fine, refusal of a previous visa – remember what you did if you were refused for this reason;
9. One or more of the member states of the Schengen area have reason to believe that you are a threat to the rule of law because you have previously provided forged documents or violated the law.
10. Lack of covered health insurance for the amount required by the country (or there is fake insurance). A very common reason for refusal.
Many people are trying to save money on insurance, but it’s not that simple. Medicine in European countries is very expensive. Therefore, it is easier to buy a good proven basic policy for little money, without spending any extra funds. Believe me, travel experience suggests that health insurance is never superfluous. Moreover, a good medical policy will be another confirmation of your serious intentions regarding rest.
How does a Schengen visa refusal look like?
The reasons for refusing a Schengen visa are clear, now about how it all looks. If for one or several reasons, the consulate did not like you and refused a visa, then you will be given a special document with the reason for the refusal of the visa. No stamp will be put on the passport. But the information about the refusal will be entered into a special visa information system and will be visible to any employee of the consulate.
Also, an envelope with a passport will contain a letter explaining why you were denied a visa because, Since 2011, consulates are required to explain in detail the reasons for refusal.
There are different categories of visa refusals and the category will be clear from the stamp. It will contain letters from A to D (by visa type) and numbers 1-4 (by type of refusal): 1 – you were denied a visa, 2 – they call you for an interview to confirm the information, 3 – you need to bring the documents, 4 – an indefinite refusal.
Schengen visa refusal statistics
The most visa-hungry countries in the last couple of years are Norway, Belgium, and Germany. In all other Schengen countries, the failure rate in recent years has not exceeded 10%. It’s just that some countries are more willing to give visas than others. Moreover, the list of these countries changes from year to year.