countries for a short period. However, in recent years, many Indian tourists have been denied the Schengen visa. In 2022, India had the second-highest number of Schengen visa rejections, just marginally behind Algeria which saw the highest number of rejections. The refusal of a Schengen visa has foiled travel plans for many Indians. Mayank Sharma, a bank executive, is one of those. On April 30, Sharma took to X and shared that he lost Rs 3.5 lakhs in flight and hotel bookings after his Schengen visa was denied.
Sharma said that his visa request was denied two days after he was scheduled to fly out of India for a seven-day holiday in Greece. He mentioned that his visa rejection letter came “in standard format which said that they’re not sure if I’ll come back”. Sharma said that he was shocked that the embassy made this conclusion even though he had enough proof to show that he has enough money to support his seven-day travel and return to India. He wrote, “Honestly I am shocked and still not able to digest that there’s a corner in world out of my reach.”
Letter was in standard format which said that they're not sure if I'll come back, whereas I am working as Business Head@Unity SFB with SA balance in 7 figures. Honestly I am shocked and still not able to digest that there's a corner in world out of my reach.— Mayank Sharma (@TheMayanks) May 1, 2024
An X user described the denial of a Schengen visa as “criminal behaviour by the European visa authorities”.
This is criminal behaviour by the European visa authorities. https://t.co/P2tY327mdV— Alaska la gelaska (@AmolKu1karni) May 1, 2024
An X user wrote that chances of getting Schengen visa denials are high from April to June because most tourists apply for the visa during these three months, which might put a strain on the EU embassies.
Every year April May June is extremely busy period for the Schengen visas in india. I had a problem in even getting a slot last May. Many embassies now return the application if the journey is scheduled in less than 20 days. U have the opportunity to apply as early as 6 months.— prans (@prans96) May 1, 2024
Many people also suggested that one should always have travel insurance that has a 100 per cent refund for flights and accommodation, in case the Schengen visa gets denied at the last moment.
There is visa insurance available now on Indian OTA, they will provide 100% refunds for flights if the visa does not go through.— Vaghani Hitesh (@VaghaniHitesh) May 1, 2024
Someone suggested that one should always have refundable bookings when they are planning foreign travel so that they don’t lose money in case there is an issue with the visa or last-minute change in the itinerary.
Take help of Agents who do refundable bookings and help you get the visa and once you have got it then you can change the whole itenary basis your requirement and cost impact is little. But planning is advance is critical. Big Big ordeal this!!!— Soham Bhattacharya (@SohamBhatt92332) May 1, 2024
The Schengen visa application fee for Indian citizens aged 12 and above with an ordinary passport is €80 or Rs 7,000. Usually, a Schengen visa takes about 15 days to get processed. This special visa allows one to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
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