By Akanksha Arora
In an unusual incident, an Indian family recently faced Schengen visa rejection despite having a strong travel history. The family had travelled to 40 countries before this and has now raised some serious concerns over what they are calling an “unjust and frustrating experience” with the Austrian visa process. The family, in fact, also had valid visas from countries like the UK and Canada – all of which required financial documentation. The cancellation of this Schengen visa forced them to cancel their long-planned trip and suffer a financial loss too. One of the members of the family posted anonymously on Reddit – detailing their case and hoping to draw attention to what he has described as lack of transparency and accountability in the Schengen visa regime. The planned trip included 10 days in Austria and 4 days in Budapest – with an entry and exit through Vienna. He had previously been granted multiple Schengen business and tourist visas from countries like Germany, Netherlands and Norway. The rejection reason said “missing personal bank statement” for his parents despite the fact that a Rs. 3 crore bank certificate from his company had been submitted. For him and his wife, the embassy raised question about the lack of employment letters and salary slips. This is when he submitted a personal bank statement showing Rs. 8 lakhs to cover their 15-day trip. Meanwhile, as per a report in 2023, Indians were among the top five nationalities with the most rejected Schengen visa applications. A total of 1.6 million visa applications, representing approximately 16% of the total applications, were rejected. This follows a rejection rate of 17.9% in 2022 and 13.4% in 2021. If you are planning to apply for a Schengen visa, here is a list of some of the most commonly made mistakes that has led to visa denials – and what you should do so that your visa is not rejected. Incomplete Visa ApplicationOne of the most common reasons for Schengen visa rejections is an incomplete application. Missing documents, incorrect forms and incomplete information can lead to rejection. Insufficient Financial MeansApplicants must prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. For this, you need to submit supporting documents in the form of bank statements, payslips or a sponsorship letter. Incorrect InformationProviding incorrect information in your visa application is a serious issue. You should know that the consulate perform thorough checks. Any discrepancies can result in immediate rejection. Invalid Travel InsuranceAny type of problem with your insurance is a common cause of visa refusal. Therefore, before applying for a Schengen visa, you need to obtain travel insurance. The insurance must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses and be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen region.