Millions of applicants apply for Schengen visas every year. Depending on their nationality, people can apply for the visa at individual consulates and various border checkpoints for Schengen visas. The approval rate for visa applications depends on the individual consulates and varies by country.
Data from the European Commission provides further details.
In some countries, upto 70% of Schengen visa applications are refused. The highest percentage of visa refusals are experienced by applicants from Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Haiti, Guinea-Bissau, Comoros, and Slovenia.
Not only do applicants from economically challenged countries face visa refusals, but those from developed economies do too. Applicants from the United States are also rejected, with a rate of 3.8%. (FYI, US passport holders don’t need a visa; these refer to individuals living in the US with a legal status other than citizens.)
So if your visa application is refused, don’t be disheartened. You are not alone.
Since you are here, we will guide you on your next course of action.
If you would like to apply for the visa again, when should you do so? As an experienced visa processing company, we have handled many similar cases and successfully secured visas for our clients. We will guide you on how to achieve your success as well.
If My Schengen Visa Is Rejected, When Can I Apply Again?
In 2022, it was reported that over 17% of all Schengen visas were rejected worldwide. In 2023, the global refusal rate was 16%, with a rising trend in refusals for 2024. Since travelling is fully back to the pre-pandemic level, and Schengen consulates worldwide are flooded with thousands of visa applications, higher refusal rates are anticipated in 2025 as well.
Data indicates that the refusal rate can reach as high as 70% in certain countries!
Yes, a Schengen visa rejection might be unpleasant for someone looking forward to visiting European nations, but many applicants have to face it. But worry not! We are here to answer your burning question: When the Schengen visa is rejected, what’s the best time to apply again?
Schengen Visa Refused, What’s Next?
Once your Schengen visa is refused, you have two options. You can either submit another application or write a letter of appeal.
Let’s discuss the possibilities and determine which one you should choose.
Schengen Visa Re-Application After Refusal
A Schengen visa refusal letter typically describes the reasons for your rejection. Suppose the refusal is due to an issue that can be quickly resolved (e.g., missing documents, inadequate travel plan, insufficient travel insurance, etc.). In that case, you can reapply for the visa right away. However, you must first correct the mistake that led to the rejection, address it, and explain this to the following visa officer.
You may also provide additional documentation or offer a more thorough explanation in a cover letter. If you are still wondering when exactly you can apply for your visa again after the Schengen visa refusal, you can literally apply on the same day. There is no legal provision in the Schengen visa code that prohibits the applicant from applying for the visa within a certain number of days after a visa refusal.
If you think the problems mentioned in your refusal letter can be rectified and you can explain them well, you can apply for the visa at any time after the refusal.
Write a Letter of Appeal If Visa Officer Made A Legal Error
You also have the option to appeal if your visa application is denied due to a legal error or any mistake made by the consular officer. The Schengen visa appeal procedure is straightforward, and unlike in other countries, applicants can submit their appeal letter independently without hiring a lawyer.
This is just a letter explaining why the refusal was unreasonable and clarifying how the visa officer made a legal error during the decision-making process. The appeal letter needs to be submitted within 15 days of the date of the refusal. If you can prove that the visa officer made a mistake, the higher authority or migration court will rectify the decision. If you fail to explain well, the refusal decision will remain.
Please keep your expectations low if your case is not that strong. You need to understand the law and clarify exactly where the visa officer made the legal error.
Please remember that you can only make one appeal against the refusal. Even if you get a refusal from the appeal, you can apply for the Schengen visa in the future when the problem is rectified, and you are eligible to get the visa.
Why Do Schengen Visas Get Rejected?
If you apply for the Schengen visa with proper guidelines and documentation, the visa refusal can be avoided at the first place. Even when you re-apply, please ensure that the application and documents are well-crafted and according to the Schengen visa code and individual consulate’s guidelines.
There are some usual grounds where most of the Schengen visas are refused:
- Forged documents
- Inadequate funds
- Lack of proper travel itinerary
- Criminal records.
- Passport issues, etc.
Does Schengen Visa Refusal Affect Future Visa Applications?
To simply answer this question, yes, it will affect your future visa application. However, it mainly depends on why your visa was refused in the first place, so you need to address the issue.
Missing documents have a low impact on future applications. Sometimes, visas are refused because applicants don’t have enough money or because they didn’t fill out the application correctly. You can fix this by providing enough evidence and filing the application correctly. The visa refusal history won’t cause any problems.
However, forging false documents, criminal records, or a history of immigration violations is considered a serious crime. It may significantly impact your future applications. This could mean your visa could be rejected in the future, no matter which country it is.
Reviewing the reasons for your visa refusal and addressing the issue is essential. Additionally, you should explain your visa denial in the next application. Writing a cover letter that details the reason for the visa refusal is a smart move. This is likely to create a positive impression. Being honest about the situation will help convince your visa officer that you plan to leave the Schengen member countries after your visit.
Tips for Improving Chances of Getting a Schengen Visa After Rejection
Sometimes you make unintentional errors in the application. So fixing those errors can increase the chances of getting a visa. Some other tips are:
- All the required papers need to be accurate and genuine. You also need to keep in mind that documentation must be recent. Bank statements or utility bills must be up to date.
- Your travel itinerary has to be well-structured and explained. You can explain why you want to visit that particular place, how it is justified to travel all the way just to enjoy that activity, or how it will fulfill your purposes.
- If any documents are missing, your visa may be denied. Therefore, make sure you have all the necessary documentation. Document requirements for a Schengen visa are not unified and greatly vary by the consulate. Please check the local consulate’s website and ensure that you comply with all the documentation requirements.
- A valid letter of reference if you are employed and business documents if you are involved in business.
- Valid travel insurance (upto 50,000 Euro coverage) for the entire stay in the Schengen area.
- Damaged passports are not accepted. So a well-kept passport needs to be presented. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages for stamping.
Feeling frustrated when the result is negative is understandable, but patience and perseverance are key. You can get a visa and enjoy the trip with the correct documentation and planning. If the visa is still being rejected, consulting an immigration consultant can provide more advice on what you can do to make your next application more successful.
You can also get in touch with us with your refusal letter, and further details, we can also try to guide you further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many times can I apply for a Schengen visa after rejection?
You can apply multiple times after your visa is refused. However, you must address the reason for the visa rejection each time.
Is a visa refusal the same as a denial?
Visa refusal occurs when the authority reviews your application but rejects it due to reasons such as a lack of financial funds or incomplete documents.
Can I redo my visa application?
Yes, you can redo your application. You need to complete a new application and provide the necessary documents.
Can I re-apply immediately after visa refusal?
Yes, but it depends on the reason for the refusal. If you can rectify the reason for the refusal immediately, you have no legal burden that prevents you from submitting a new application.