Some of the reasons why Schengen Visa applications are rejected

The past and/or current circumstances and the actions of the applicant matter a lot in the decision of the consular officer.

• The applicant comes from a region that is considered politically unsafe.

• The applicant has a mental condition that limits their travel within the Schengen Area.

• The sponsor of the applicant has previously sponsored people who have worked illegally.

To present false travel documents to the embassy or consulate.

• The applicant applied for a multiple-entry visa.

• The applicant wrote “student” as their current occupation.

• The applicant used Adobe Photoshop to improve their passport photo.

Not providing a suitable explanation for the purpose of the planned visit.

• The applicant’s current salary is less than the EU salary for that position.

• The applicant listed tourism as the main purpose of their journey, but they will also visit friends.

• The applicant did not apply for a visa period that matches the normal holiday season.

A reason for a visa refusal could be presenting a passport that has not been kept in a good condition.

• The emblem on the front of the passport has worn away.

• One of the visas in the passport is out of date.

• A little ink has been spilled on one of the pages.

Another reason for the consular officer to reject your visa application is presenting a passport that is not acceptable for the Embassy or Consulate.

• Presenting a passport with a badly damaged photo.

• Presenting a passport that does not have at least two different blank visa pages.

• Presenting a passport that expires in less than three months after returning from the trip.

An additional reason for Schengen Visa application refusal is not presenting a proper plan of your travel within the Schengen Area.

• Not being able to provide public transport tickets for each destination you will visit.

• Not being able to prove having a confirmed restaurant reservation for each destination you will visit.

• Not being able to provide a list of the people you will travel with to each of your destinations.

Not being able to provide a suitable reference letter is another reason for refusal.

• The reference letter does not have a postcode in the address.

• The reference letter has not been signed by the writer.

• The reference letter was written three months before the application date.

Not having, or having very little, proof of personal funds for the duration of stay.

• Having too many financial statements from different banks.

• Offering a financial statement that is one month older than the application date.

• Providing a document saying that a sponsor is willing to pay for all your expenses.

Inability to present the appropriate travel insurance coverage for the duration of the stay.

• Failure to provide travel insurance that covers the person for 30,000 Euros.

• Failure to provide travel insurance that covers the person in their home country.

• Failure to provide travel insurance that is valid for all European countries.

Not being able to show you have a place to stay during your travel abroad.

• Not being able to remember the booking number of a hotel reservation.

• Failure to present evidence of a city tour pre-paid using a credit card.

• Not being able to provide full details of all hotel reservations.