Getting a visa is not a simple task. There are a lot of conditions that need to be fulfilled to get your visa application approved. The main reason for which people may face rejection is not meeting the prerequisites. It could be that you didn’t provide the right documents, did not have travel insurance, and more.
Although, not all visas may be rejected due to not having a valid travel policy for a few countries, having a travel insurance policy is a mandatory requirement, like for Scehengen visa. Hence, it is imperative to compare travel insurance policies before buying.
So, what happens if your Schengen visa gets rejected? What should be your next steps? We shall discuss that in the article below.
Typical Reasons for Schengen Visa Rejection
It might be that you are finding it difficult to know the real reason behind your Schengen visa rejection, and this is why the most common reasons why a person could face denial for this visa are listed below:
- An issue with the passport- it is possible that your passport is marked damaged or torn by the officer.
- Submission of fake documents
- No travel insurance policy bought by the applicant
- Criminal record
- No clear purpose for the trip
- Insufficient proof of travel itinerary and accommodation
- A missing document
- Incomplete or doubtful bank statements or other similar documents
What to Do if Schengen Travel Visa Application Gets Rejected>
There are 2 ways through which you can proceed to get your application approved or a new visa.
File an appeal
If your application has been rejected, you can appeal to the officer to reconsider it. This option is recommended only if you believe that the Schengen visa rejection is not justified or you can solve the issue due to which your visa was rejected.
The process of filing an appeal includes:
- Writing an appeal letter: You have to write a truthful appeal with supporting documents to show that your application was worthy of approval and that rejecting it was incorrect.
- Checking the structure of an appeal letter: Before writing your appeal letter, you should analyse the structure. Generally, the structure contains the applicant’s personal data and detailed information.
Along with this, you need to mention the date on which your application was rejected, the basis of the rejection, and some strong reasons for proving that your application is worthy of reconsideration.
- Sending the letter: Once you complete the letter, send it to the embassy through which you applied for a Schengen Visa.
After receiving your letter, the Schengen visa processing authority will review your appeal and make a final decision regarding your Schengen visa application.
Reapply for the Visa
If you find something incorrect in your application after rejection, you can apply for a Schengen visa online again. If your departure date is not close, you must wait for 30 days before reapplying.
This is because a person cannot apply for a Schengen visa twice in a row. It would help if you let some days pass and analyse the errors made when filing the previous application in the meantime.
What Should You Remember When Reapplying for a Schengen Visa?
- Do not go for the re-application process before the completion of 30 days.
- Check the previous application and try to find the mistakes you made. This will help to avoid them in your current application.
- Check your previous application and find the mistakes you made. This will help you avoid them in your current application.
- Provide only up-to-date documents (account statements, bills, etc.)
- If you do not have travel insurance, buy one. A travel policy is compulsory for getting a Schengen visa.
Is Having a Travel Insurance Policy Mandatory for Getting a Schengen Visa?
Foreigners travelling to the Schengen area must necessarily have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
Having Schengen travel insurance will help you avoid unplanned expenses, such as medical or pharmaceutical, which are generally very high in Schengen countries.
With a travel policy, you will also be covered for situations, like cancellation or rescheduling of the trip due to medical or weather issues, and loss of luggage or documents, etc.
Summary
To obtain a visa, you have to take your time and be aware when applying. The process may seem quite complex, from carefully checking the required documents and conducting thorough research to submitting them duly.
Even after this, your Schengen visa application may get rejected. In such a situation, it is suggested that you take action as soon as possible, either by filing an appeal or deciding whether you want to reapply for the visa.