Top 11 Reasons for Schengen Visa Denial and How to Avoid Them

Safety and security of the Schengen Area are two factors consular officers take into account when processing visa applications. Therefore, if you seem like a threat to public policy or public wealth within the Schengen Area, then you will not be allowed to receive a travel permit or enter the Schengen territory.

For example, if you have been convicted of crimes such as terrorism, drug abuse, or other serious offenses, you will be denied the visa.

If you fail to submit authentic documents with your application, you will get your application refused. Submitting false documents is considered document fraud, so in addition to getting your visa disapproved, you could also face legal consequences.

Document fraud is considered the act of using false documents or altering documents, e.g., forged passports, altered photographs, etc. Therefore, you should follow the document guidelines very carefully before submitting them with your Schengen travel permit application.

If you submit an incomplete application filled with false information you will receive a negative decision on your visa approval. You need to fill in the application form with correct and true information only because if consular officers find any incorrect details or discrepancies in your application form, your visa will be denied.

So, while filling out the application form, make sure to read every question carefully and answer truthfully. You should also keep in mind that you cannot leave any blank spaces, and pay close attention to questions marked with a star (*), which indicates that this section is mandatory and needs to be filled.

Another reason that can result in the consular office denying your Schengen travel permit is failing to provide a clear reason for the purpose of your travel to the Schengen Area. Such are the following cases:

• There isn’t a consistent match between your employment and professional qualifications and your declared financial situation.
• You cannot provide documents that support your reason for entering the Schengen territory.
• The duration of your visa doesn’t match the travel itinerary you provided.
• You provide inconsistent statements about the purpose of your visit.

If you own a passport that is not in good condition or does not meet the criteria of the EU, you cannot use it for your Schengen travel permit application. This applies if your travel document has missing pages, a damaged cover, expired validity, or an insufficient period of validity. All of these lead to your visa being denied.

So, to avoid having your application refused, make sure your passport has at least 3 months validity, two blank pages, is in good condition, and has been issued within the last 10 years.

Failure to present a complete travel itinerary is another common reason for visa denial. The Embassy or consulate requires clear details about where you will stay, when you will arrive and depart from the Schengen territory, what you will do, and other plans you have during the visit.

If you do not provide your itinerary, you may raise suspicions that you will overstay your visa, therefore you will not be allowed to travel within the Schengen Area.

Read How to Book a Flight Itinerary for Visa Application?

You need to have enough money to be allowed to travel to a country of the Schengen Area. This is because embassy representatives will assess your financial situation to determine if you can cover your own expenses during your stay in the Schengen country or not.

In case you do not have enough money, the consular officers may think that you will engage in illegal employment or rely on public assistance to support yourself, and will not approve your visa.

An additional reason for a failed Schengen travel permit application is not being able to submit birth or marriage certificates that are accepted (not authenticated) by the embassy or consulate. Such cases include:

• Failing to submit a certificate approved by official authorities, i.e., Ministry of Interior.
• Failing to submit a certificate in a foreign language translated by the authorized translator.
• Offering a religious document instead of a civil certificate.
• Not providing a certificate that shows both parents of the child (mother and father).
• Not being able to offer a certificate that matches the names of the parties presented on the submitted passports.
• Not being able to offer a document of the legal sole custody order for the child (if a single parent).
• Not being able to offer the legal adoption documents for the adoptive child (for EU Spouse application).

Many countries require visa applicants to provide proof of valid travel insurance coverage as part of the visa application process. Having valid travel insurance during your trip will help you cover any unexpected expenses, such as medical expenses or repatriation. Your travel insurance is considered invalid if it does not meet the criteria set by the EU regulations.

>> Find Low-Cost Schengen-Compliant Medical Insurance Plans

Proof of accommodation, which includes hotel reservations, a letter of invitation from a host, or a rental agreement, is a crucial requirement in the application process because it shows that you have a place to stay during your visit to the Schengen Area.

Failure to present proof of accommodation can raise doubts about your travel plans leading to your visa denial.

Read also How to Get a Hotel Booking Confirmation Letter For Visa Application.

As mentioned above, your past and current actions impact the decision on your travel permit application. This means that if you have a negative travel history or have a history of visa violations you will most likely not have your application approved.

Common visa violations include overstaying, illegal employment, violations of visa conditions and fraud, etc.

However, if you have a clean record of complying with the Schengen travel rules in the past, you do not need to worry about receiving a negative response from the embassy representatives.