Over Lakh Indians Had Their Schengen Visa Applications Rejected In 2022, Lost Rs 87 Crores

Did your vacation plan last year get ruined due to a visa application rejection? Well, you are not alone! In 2022, over one lakh Indians had their Schengen visa applications rejected, costing them over Rs 87 crores.

According to recent data by Schengen Visa Info, a total of 1,21,188 visa applications from India were rejected, with the rejection rate standing at 18 per cent.

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Indians spent Rs 487 cr on Schengen visa applications

As travel bounced back, there was a 415 per cent rise in Schengen visa applications from India last year.

Indians spent a total of over Rs 487 crore on Schengen visa applications alone for 6,71,928 applications in 2022.

Out of Rs 487 crore, more than Rs 87 crore was lost on the 1,21,188 visa applications that were rejected.

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Why were the visas rejected?

Some of the most common reasons for Schengen visa rejections include incomplete or incorrect application, insufficient travel health insurance, and lack of proof of financial means, in addition to risks associated with illegal immigration.

Other countries that saw high rejection rate

Estonia rejected India's highest share of visas in 2022 — 56 per cent of 1,986 applications. Malta declined 506 of 1,220 Indian visas at a 45 per cent rejection rate, followed by Slovenia, which rejected 44.5 per cent of 2,732 visas.

Italy and Hungary were next in line, with rejection rates of 11.5 per cent (794 of 6,909 visas rejected) and 12.1 per cent (1,098 of 9,046 visas rejected), respectively.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa allows you to stay in all 27 member countries of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

One?Schengen visa application?costs 80 euros or Rs 7,260.??

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How to apply for a Schengen visa

You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that you intend to visit, or – if you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the Consulate of the country where you will spend the longest period.

If you intend to visit several Schengen States and the stays will be of equal length, you must apply at the Consulate of the country whose external borders you will cross first when entering the Schengen area.

As a general rule, you must apply for a visa at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country in which you legally reside.

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