Whether you were planning to visit your family and friends, sightseeing or business opportunities or only wanted to attend your favourite artists’ concert, getting your Schengen visa rejected is a bummer. But it doesn’t have to spell the end of your travel plans. You can turn things around with a bit of persistence and the right approach.
Here’s a helpful guide to reapplying successfully so you can get back to planning your European adventure.
Your Schengen Visa Was Refused. Should You Appeal or Reapply?
When you get your Schengen visa denied, there are two things you can do; appeal or reapply. By appealing you require that your application gets revised once again, while by reapplying, you start your application process from the start.
It is best to appeal if:
- You strongly believe that all your documents are correct.
- You have sufficient evidence to prove that you have enough funds for this trip if that was the reason for your previous rejection.
- If you are in no hurry to visit a Schengen state. The appeal is a long procedure.
- If you do not want to spend more money on a Schengen visa application. Appealing is a low-cost option.
- If a country has issued an alert against you.
Reapplying is the right choice if:
- You have solved the issues of why your application was initially rejected.
- If your visit has more of an urgent nature. By reapplying you can get a Schengen visa quicker than by appealing it.
- If you are willing to spend more money, reapplying means starting the application process all over again, including paying service fees.
First Things First: Make Sure You Complete Your Application And Collect All The Required Documents
The most important thing when applying or reapplying for a Schengen visa is to provide all of the required documents, which include the following:
- A fully completed and signed visa application form.
- Two pictures of the applicants; taken within the last three months of applying for a visa.
- A passport valid for at least three months after the date of leaving Schengen zone.
- Flight itineraries, including travel dates such as those of entry and exit from Schengen Area, and flight numbers.
- Proof of paid travel health insurance, fulfilling the Schengen visa insurance requirements set by the EU/Schengen member states.
- Accommodation-related documents, revealing where you will be staying during your stay in a Schengen state. This can be either a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a family member or a friend.
- Bank statement proving that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay or a sponsorship letter from a person who will be financing you during your trip. A combination of both, bank statements and sponsorship, is also acceptable.
- Evidence of a €90 paid visa fee. The fee varies depending on the age of the applicant, the type of visa applied for and employment status.
Be sure to check the specific requirements of the embassy or consulate for any additional documents that may be needed based on your circumstances.
This Is How You Reapply for a Schengen Visa After Rejection
Choose the Right Country to Reapply
If your travel plans have not changed, it is best to reapply in the same country as you did in the previous application. In this way, you know where to address any concerns regarding your application.
However, if you plan to enter another country, the best option is to write down your real destination. Your application needs to have the correct information, as your case is checked out more thoroughly.
A Reddit user shared his experience, highlighting that he was being asked to provide the refusal note on his second time applying for a Schengen visa.
I had a Schengen visa from Spain in February for 30 days. I applied for a Finland visa in May to experience northern lights but it was denied. Now, I am planning to visit Spain again for Seville. I was looking at the documents checklist and saw that if there is any visa refusal within two years, they want the explanation or refusal notice.
Carefully Review the Reason Provided in Your Refusal Letter
To avoid having your application denied a second time, make sure to thoroughly review the reasons why you got rejected in the first place.
By understanding the reason for the decision, you can improve your chances of obtaining a Schengen visa.
Some of the most common reasons for visa refusal are inconsistent travel itineraries, insufficient funds or unclear motives for your visit to the Schengen states. Those reasons can be defied by providing all the necessary documents, which you must check twice and make sure that you present the complete information regarding your trip to the Schengen Area.
A social media user recently revealed that her visa application was rejected, with two of the following reasons being cited on the refusal letter:
- The information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable.
- There are reasonable doubts as to your intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the visa.
She says that in her cover letter, she wrote that she wanted to visit Paris. However, she mentioned that her foreign husband needed to stay in the Philippines – as a claim to prove her intentions to return to her home country. Another commenter pointed out that this could be the reason why her visa was rejected.
Since you mentioned your husband in the cover letter, have you provided your marriage certificate to the embassy to prove the relationship? Is he from France as well?
Sometimes even the slightest innocent comments can be the reason for the authorities to reject your Schengen visa application.
Write a Cover Letter
If you got your application rejected and you think there are no solid reasons for that, write a cover letter. The letter should clearly state your previous rejection’s motives and how you have addressed them.
Before reapplying, it is important to determine whether you have the right to apply. You can do so by contacting the embassy of the Member State that rejected your application. Once they approve your request to reapply for a Schengen visa, you can write your letter.
In addition, make sure to always stay up-to-date with the information regarding your documents. Checking with the embassies or consulates for the latest changes can make a huge difference.
It is important to be honest in your cover letter and the application to reflect your actual travel plans. By that, it means to be consistent with the travel dates, entry country, hotels or relatives that are accommodating you during your stay and, among others, have clear motives for your visit.
There are cases when the embassy can take longer to reply, which can be the case with Siddharth Raman, who shares his experience on X.
I’m rejected for a Schengen Tourist Visa by Austria and sent an Appeal email. Email was not acknowledged & no Austrian Embassy Visa support line in India to speak to either. Any idea how long it’s going to take?
Nine days after this post was made, Raman revealed that the Austrian Ministry had responded and granted him a 90-day long multiple entry visa.
Do Not Forget to Purchase Travel Visa Insurance
Travel insurance is important to purchase as it can protect travellers from unforeseen expenses.
According to SchengenInsuranceInfo, the current EU laws regulate that the travel insurance policy for a Schengen visa is required to cover at least €30,000 of medical costs, including hospitalisation.
Travel insurance is recommended to be purchased based on how many days you are staying in the Schengen Area. It should be noted that the travel insurance should last for the entire stay in the Zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Reapply For a Visa?
There is no limitation on the number of times you can apply for a visa. However, each time you apply, you should provide new evidence in order to boost your chances of getting your visa approved.
How Long After Rejection Can I Apply For a Schengen Visa?
You can apply for a Schengen visa at any time. There is no rule that requires one to wait before applying for a Schengen visa again. However, it is recommended to study the reasons why your initial application was rejected and prepare a cover letter explaining how you resolved those issues.
What If My Schengen Visa Is Rejected Twice?
In these cases, you can either reapply after 30 days or write a letter of appeal. According to Article 32(3) of the Visa Code of the Schengen Agreement, you have the right to appeal the decision after being refused a visa.
Is It Better to Appeal or Reapply for a Schengen Visa?
There are cases when appealing is better than reapplying. For example, if a country has refused you for no solid reasons, appealing the decision is the right choice. However, appealing is less recommended if you need to obtain a Schengen visa more quickly and reapplying is a safer choice.
Is It Easier to Get a Second Schengen Visa?
If your first application was successful, it can be easier for you to receive a Schengen visa for the second time. This happens because Embassy officers now have proof of your travel intentions.
The same may not apply if your first application was rejected. However, by providing the required documents and clearly stating your travel purpose, you can obtain a Schengen visa the second time you apply.
What Is the Refusal Rate for a Schengen Visa?
According to the SchengenVisaInfo Statistics Portal, rejection rates for a Schengen visa in 2023 were 16 per cent. However, that depends on the number of applications received. In 2022, the rejection rate for a Schengen visa was 17.9 per cent.
Why Would My Schengen Visa Be Rejected?
Your Schengen visa can be rejected for several reasons, as listed below:
- Incorrect or incomplete information on your application.
- Lack of financial means during your trip.
- Lack of evidence of your intention to return to your home country.
- Insufficient travel health insurance.
- Unclear travel plans.
- Lack of, or inconsistent accommodation details.
- Expired travel documents (Passport, ID).
- History of visa violations, such as visa shopping or overstaying your visa.
- Criminal record.
How to Increase the Chances of Getting a Schengen Visa?
You can increase your chances of getting a Schengen visa by following the Schengen rules.
According to Besart Bajrami, Founder of SchengenVisaInfo.com, it is crucial for an applicant to provide enough information that they will return to their home country after their visit.
To increase your chances of obtaining a Schengen visa, you must show strong evidence that you fully intend to return to your home country after the trip. This can be done by presenting proof of employment, family ties, property ownership and other responsibilities necessitating your return.
Other ways how you can improve your Schengen visa application are:
- Planning your visit ahead of time.
- Providing accurate information on your application.
- Ensuring you complete the application with the required documents.
- Showing evidence of consistent and sufficient income.
- Purchasing travel insurance that is valid during your entire stay.
- Stating your travel purposes clearly.
- Keeping a clean criminal record.
For How Long Can I Stay in the Schengen Area If My Visa Is Approved?
A Schengen visa permits short stays for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. During this period, you can move freely within the Schengen Area, without undergoing any checks.
