What to Do if Your Schengen Visa is Rejected?

The most common query that comes to your mind regarding the Schengen Visa application is - Can I re-apply for a visa if my initial application was denied?

Yes, you can!

It's normal to feel frustrated if your Schengen Visa application is denied.

Many rejected candidates approached for assistance after dealing with an inefficient, inaccurate, confusing, and stressful visa application process due to inconsistent procedures.

In this article, we are going to tramp over all the practical actions you need to follow to re-apply for a Schengen Visa and enter Europe in the sad event if your application has been denied.

Without any further ado, let's examine the Schengen Visa re-application procedure, justifications for doing so, and suggested timelines to ensure you don't raise any further rejections with the Embassy or Consulate.

>>Also Read: Requirements for Applying a Schengen Visa for Indians

1. Filing a Second Schengen Visa Application

Rarely do candidates who already have a Schengen Visa seek to re-apply right away for the subsequent trip. You cannot have two applications pending at the same time. Thus, we advise you to wait for a minimum of one to two months prior to re-applying for a new Schengen Visa.

Imagine that you apply for a Schengen visa, and it is granted. The Embassy or Consulate may become concerned if you apply for another visa while your approved Schengen Visa is still in effect.

If you need two distinct sorts of applications, Schengen Embassies and Consulates only enable you to have two open at once.

For instance, you might apply for a type-C Schengen visa after first requesting an airport transit visa to pass through a Schengen State.

Even so, simultaneously applying for two separate Schengen visa classes wouldn't make much sense.

If it fits you, you should request a single multiple-entry Schengen visa instead of just going in and out and submitting supporting documentation for two separate applications.

Maximising the use of a multiple-entry Schengen visa is considerably more practical than applying for two visas, each of which requires a new set of backing documents and payments.

Therefore, it is implausible that you will need to apply for another Schengen Visa once your current one has been approved.

But if you're wondering, "Can I simultaneously apply for both types of Schengen Visas?” We advise you to consider maybe opting for a multiple-entry visa instead.

2. Re-applying for a Schengen Visa

Let's move toward the second instance, the most frequent one: you must re-apply once your Schengen Visa has been denied.

If you have filed an Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Refusal, it will largely determine what measures you need to take.

If your appeal letter wasn't accepted after you filed it

Please refrain from submitting a second appeal if you have already gone through the entire procedure and the embassy has rejected your request. An appeal against the denial of a Schengen visa is limited to one.

Take comfort in knowing if you receive a negative response after appealing your Schengen Visa denial! Before you go and reapply, pause, let yourself calm off, reevaluate, and readjust.

If you haven't filed an appeal after having your Schengen visa denied

Although you can typically reapply for a Schengen visa right away after rejection, we advise individuals to wait for one month.

However, we highly advise against applying again and instead going through the appeals process.

The rationale for this is that there is still an appeals procedure. The Visa officers will be able to review the evidence you had previously submitted, spot any errors or missing documents, and allow you to revise your application.

>>Check: List of Countries Included in Schengen Area

3. Resubmitting Because of Modifications in Your Personal Situation

You may need to reapply for a visa if something about your entire Schengen Visa application changes.

For instance, if your trip plans have changed and you now just require a single entry visa, but you previously applied for a multiple entry visa, this is certainly a solid reason to re-apply.

If that's the case, you should re-apply for that kind of visa—a single-entry tourist visa—so you won't have to worry as much about proving that you're going to go across many different nations.

How to Re-apply for a Schengen Visa?

Since reapplying for a Schengen Visa after rejection is a very frequent situation, let's explore the reapplying procedure in more detail and see what you must do to decrease the probability of rejection.

1. Wait for at least 30 Days

There isn't a set period of time that you must wait before reapplying. Our advice is to hold off for at least 30 days.

Consider a scenario in which your application for a Schengen Visa is denied, you appeal, and your application is still not approved after the appeal. If you file a new application right away in that situation, you risk raising red flags and making it more difficult for you to secure a Visa approval.

2. Know the Reasons Why Your Visa was Rejected

If your application for a Schengen Visa was denied, you should evaluate the reasons for rejection before re-applying.

Please carefully read the document to learn the most prevalent explanations for denial based on the most common visa denial letter.

3. Fix the Errors You made in Your Initial Application

You should constantly try to make amends for your mistakes.

Being turned down does not permanently stain your reputation or lessen your chances of being accepted in the future.

The Visa officers do record it; that much is certain. However, embassies and consulates are fully reasonable if your visa was denied for any reason, including a lack of required documentation. So you may confidently re-apply and go through the entire process again.

You stand a good possibility of success if you fix the errors in your initial application and enhance your chances.

4. Use different documents (excluding birth certificate, passport, etc.)

Assume receiving a rejection in November after submitting an application in October. It's December before you figure out why your application was rejected and what paperwork was required to revise it.

Given that some of the documents were previously marked as inappropriate, you cannot submit them again.

You must include the most recent photographs, bank statements, utility bills, etc., when filing a new application. You cannot continue providing the same documents if your application was submitted on October 1st and it is now the end of December.

Final Take Away!

Re-applying for a Schengen Visa may require gathering additional documentation, which can be an unpleasant and time-consuming process.

Regardless of the reason, if you are reapplying for a Schengen Visa, you may increase your chances of success by assuring all of your paperwork is accurate and comprehensive.

You can also get your personalised Schengen Visa plan now. A professional will assess your circumstances right away and provide you with a list of precisely what to include in your application. Before starting your trip, do not forget to take travel insurance to keep yourself safe from unexpected medical and non-medical expenses.

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.