What to Do If Your Schengen Visa is Refused
Understanding a Schengen Visa Refusal
Receiving a letter with a "visa refused" stamp is deeply disappointing, but it is important not to panic. In many cases, a refusal is not final. You have the right to appeal the decision, especially if you believe the refusal was due to a misunderstanding or an error.
This guide will help you understand the refusal letter, decide if you should appeal, and walk you through the steps of writing an effective appeal.
Step 1: Understand the Reason for Refusal
Your refusal letter will come with a standard form that lists several possible reasons for the decision. One or more of these will be ticked. It is crucial to understand what the ticked reason means. To avoid these issues in the first place, review our guide on common visa application mistakes.
Here are some of the most common reasons for refusal:
- "Justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provided." This often means your travel itinerary was unclear, your hotel bookings were missing or inconsistent, or your cover letter was not convincing.
- "You have not provided proof of sufficient means of subsistence." This means the embassy was not convinced you have enough money to support yourself during the trip.
- "Your intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa could not be ascertained." This is a very common reason. It means you failed to prove you have strong ties (a job, family, property) to your home country that would compel you to return.
- "The information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable." This is a more serious reason. It suggests the consular officer found contradictions in your application. For example, your cover letter might say you are going for tourism, but you booked a hotel far from any tourist areas.
Step 2: Should You Appeal?
You should appeal if you have a strong case that the decision was wrong and you can provide new evidence or clearer explanations to address the specific reason for refusal.
- Appeal if: The refusal was due to a misunderstanding (e.g., they overlooked a document you submitted) or if you can provide a missing document (e.g., a more detailed hotel booking).
- Re-apply instead if: You made a significant mistake in your original application (e.g., applied to the wrong embassy or your passport was not valid). In this case, it is often faster to fix the mistake and submit a completely new application.
Step 3: How to Write an Appeal Letter (Remonstrance Letter)
If you decide to appeal, you must write a formal appeal letter, often called a "remonstrance letter." You typically have one month from the date you received the refusal to submit your appeal.
Your letter should be structured, formal, and non-emotional.
- Your Details: Start with your full name, passport number, and the reference number from your refusal letter.
- Date and Embassy Address: Address the letter to the specific visa section of the embassy that issued the refusal.
- State Your Purpose: Clearly state that you are writing to appeal the decision to refuse your Schengen visa application.
- Address the Refusal Reason Directly: This is the most important part. Go point-by-point and explain why the refusal was incorrect.
- Example if refused for "intention to leave": "My application was refused on the grounds that my intention to leave could not be ascertained. To clarify my strong ties to my home country, please find attached a new letter from my employer confirming my senior position and my responsibilities that require my return, as well as a copy of my property deed."
- Provide New Evidence: Do not just say the decision was wrong; prove it. Attach any new or clarified documents that support your argument.
- Polite Closing: End the letter professionally and thank them for their time and reconsideration.
Submitting a strong appeal can overturn a negative decision. But to get to that stage, you first need to secure an appointment. If you are tired of refreshing the visa portal, let Schengen Alert do the work for you. Sign up on WhatsApp and get notified the moment a slot opens up.