Schengen Visa Denied: Indian Family Calls It Unjust

An Indian family with extensive travel credentials — having visited over 40 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, and Norway — was denied a Schengen visa by Austria despite submitting a complete application and supporting documents.

The family, planning a celebratory trip for the mother’s 50th birthday, applied for the visa via VFS Mumbai on May 16, 2025, under the cascade regime, which typically expedites applicants with strong long-term visa records. Their detailed itinerary included 10 days in Austria and four in Hungary, with Vienna as the entry and exit point.

Despite providing:

•             Valid UK and Canadian visas,

•             Multiple past Schengen approvals,

•             ₹3 crore bank certificate from a sponsoring company,

•             Travel bookings and hotel confirmations,

•             Proof of self employment for the applicant and sponsorship documentation for the wife — the Austrian Embassy cited missing bank statements for the parents and absence of pay slips/employment letters for the applicant and spouse, effectively challenging their return intent.

Efforts to submit supplemental documents via calls and emails went unheard before their departure date of June 10, 2025, and the rejection only reached them on June 14, after their planned trip had ended. As a result, they canceled their Europe plans and opted for Thailand instead, incurring approximately ₹1 lakh in losses.

The applicant, posting anonymously on Reddit, expressed disillusionment and questioned if the rejection was a pretext for “extorting more money from honest, tax-paying Indians”. His case has reignited debates around opaque visa procedures, lack of transparency, and the need for clear embassy communication and appeals mechanisms across the Schengen area.

The incident comes amid a growing trend of Schengen visa rejections among Indian applicants. In 2024 alone, more than 165,000 Schengen visas were refused, collectively costing Indian travelers nearly ₹136 crore in non refundable fees.

Expert Insights & Advice:

• Visa officers may request additional proof of intent to return, even from seasoned travellers.

• Applicants should consider preemptively submitting employment letters, salary slips, and recent bank statements, especially for self-employed individuals.

• Document submission deadlines matter; missing official cutoff dates can lead to automatic rejections despite strong profiles.

• While a clear appeals process exists, prompt communication with embassies or use of legal channels can be critical for reconsideration.

Bottom Line:

This case underscores the unpredictable nature of Schengen visa decisions. Even well-prepared applicants with stellar records may face unexplained denials. As digital appeals and legal challenges gain traction, many are calling for systemic reforms to foster greater transparency and fairness.