It’s the worst feeling when the trip that you’ve planned for months on end is in jeopardy because of annoying visa complications. For those of you with British passports, it might be hard to relate to what I am saying because you hardly need a visa to go anywhere in the world (except to come back to your own homeland, India maybe)! But unlike you guys, for most of us stuck with that little blue booklet the Indian government issues us with, the nightmare of international travel doesn’t begin at the airport, with body scanners and baggage problems. Getting a visa, that elusive little stamp, is the first big hurdle to be crossed. Indians, like most citizens of third world nations, need a visa to go everywhere (except maybe Sri Lanka or Nepal where it can be stamped upon arrival) and very often, a lot of us simply give up on the idea of going abroad because of the big bureaucratic nightmare involved.
Of course my passion for travel far outweighs any mental agony I might have to brave this lengthy process. So this week I set out with a swagger in my stride to 23 Belgrave Square, i.e. the German Embassy in London, to get a Schengen visa for a European holiday I had planned with my family. I was confident that after having complied with the massive list of documents they’d asked for, (air tickets, travel insurance, letter of employment, bank statements for the last 3 months, 2 photographs with exact specifications, letter of invitation from my cousin residing in Switzerland, hotel bookings and bookings for internal train/car/taxi travel within the Schengen zone. Whew!!) there would be no reason to worry. How wrong I was!
As I walked to the counter with glee on my face, the brisk woman at the counter suspiciously checked each document carefully, and after promptly taking 53 pounds from me (yes, that’s the visa fee!) said it would be at her supervisor’s discretion whether or not to grant me entry. Apparently some bizarre rule in the Schengen agreement states that you need to apply for a visa not at the embassy of the country which is your first point of entry (in my case it was Germany), but at the embassy of the country where you will spend the longest part of your vacation (Switzerland in my case), so I should have applied there.
This is probably the most convoluted way of going about what should be a quick and easy process. But leave aside the rules for a minute. What irked me was the fact that they were accepting applications (and the fees), and then saying the visa might not be granted. If it doesn’t fall under your rules and regulations, why accept the application in the first place? Why not tell me, sorry sir but you will have to go to the Swiss embassy instead? I can’t think of this as anything but a shoddy underhand way of making money from unsuspecting tourists. God alone knows how many rejections they hand out every day so that people can reapply and pay the hefty administrative fee again! The US consulate does it brazenly. Several members of my family for instance have been refused a visa for the first time, no questions asked, only to be granted a 10-year multiple entry permit after applying again!
At a time when Europe is going through probably the worst economic recession in its history, the revenues and foreign exchange it could earn from prospective tourists like me would go a long way in helping them claw their way out of the mess they are in. Some reports suggest a dramatic 130% rise in outbound tourists from India between 2006 and 2011. In fact the total number of Indian tourists going abroad is set to cross the 16 million mark by next year alone. That’s a 4th of Britain’s population! Maybe it is time to encourage us with an easier and friendlier approach, rather than daunt us with a barrage of ridiculous demands. I can understand being vigilant is important, especially in these times of international terrorism, but complicating visa procedures for innocent applicants without any history of any wrongdoing is only going to discourage this healthy trend of global mobility we are seeing.
I have been warned by several online travel forums and travel agents to be prepared for my first ‘REJECTED’ stamp which would stain my clean ‘visa history’ up till now. This would compel me to disclose, on every application I make in the future, that I’ve ever been refused a visa previously, in effect biasing the issuer.
Tuesday morning is when the big suspense will end. Hope I get it!
Nikhil has a Masters in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Westminster, London. He began his career with Times Now - a leading English language news channel in India and went on to become Associate Producer for News Features at Bloomberg UTV, Mumbai. He is currently living in London straddling 2-3 part-time jobs. He spends his free time and money traveling, reading fiction, deciding to exercise and wondering what to do next in life!
Peta Jinnath Andersen is a freelance and fiction writer. Born in Sydney, Australia, to a Fiji-Indian father and Scottish mother, she’s a bit confused about her background, but loves it all the same. Currently living in the US, she has just had her first child, and is busy studying hard in an effort to learn more about her Indian heritage – including taking Hindi lessons – so she can teach her son about just what it is that makes an NRI special.
on April 20, 2010
at 8:44 pm
Everyone bitches and moans about the Schengen Visa complications. Of all, I’d urge you to find out the reason why they’ve stipulated all these requirements such as asking for a confirmed Hotel accomodation (an actual fax from the hotel to me), and on an on. There has to be a reason. My journalist friend, can you find out?
on June 4, 2010
at 11:03 am
Nikhil
I completely agree with you on this matters as this Schengen visa process is too complicated when you want to visit few countries, cant we just have a system where it is only important to pin point first point of entry because the information is very vague, I bet every embassy has different information.
I wonder how did it go with you, well what I think is all these embassy’s do never issue any kind of rejection I comment from my personal experience few times & loads of friends getting it done unless really poorly filed documents with no funds available at all.
I wil be travelling to Poland [Cunning Plan to get a schengen visa ], Germany, Swiss, France.
I aish you all the ebst mate
Kind Regards
Harshal Sankhe
on June 21, 2010
at 7:17 am
Gonna apply for one. Don’t scare me. It is horrifying to think they will reject a visa just to make some money and approve when person applies next!! It never occured to me! But I am glad, I am straight away applying for a Swiss visa.
on June 27, 2010
at 6:17 pm
i beg to differ my friend.. i had the same situation i am going to france and spain but i am living in france for 4 days and spain for 5 and i decided to apply from the french embassy.. Once i got there they warned me about this problem before they asked me for the fees! so i just basically made my stay in spain the same amount of days as france.. lets hope they give me the visa now..
on August 29, 2011
at 10:39 am
Nikhil! Did you get your visa or not? Please brief us.
on August 29, 2011
at 11:05 am
Omar – Yes I did! However if you are going, pl call up the embassy and check where you should apply in order to avoid any confusion.
on August 29, 2011
at 11:13 am
Nikhil! I dont know whether you will b able to give me some suggestions. Actually, 6 months ago I applied for Schengen visa from French consulate but I got rejected without being mentioned any reason. I tried to contact them again for the reasons but they ignored me. Now I am thing to re-apply again!
Could you suggest me to re-apply from same (french) consulate or shall I re-apply from other consulates…like swiss or italian? Have you heard any case when person first rejected reapplied thru other consulate and approved second time?
on October 27, 2011
at 8:56 pm
I am married to a Brit and our son has a British passport. The French Embassy granted me schengen visa years ago when we attended my sister in law’s wedding. The visa has expired qn this time we want to visit Spain. We were in Nicaragua that time and off I went to the Spanish Embassy but they refused to process my application because I am not resident of Nicaragua. French Embassy in Nicaragua say only Spanish Embassy handle schengen applications. Flights are so expensive to change so my family traveled to Spain without me and I changed my flight to London. Just looked at the French Embassy website and I have to be resident in the UK to get a schengen visa from their embassy. So I have to fly back to the Philippines, apply there then fly to Europe?
Good luck to all applicants! Wish you all the best
on October 30, 2011
at 5:39 pm
Nikhil,
Is the schengen Visa process same for People going on work permits? Or is it a bit easy ? Was curious to know, how difficult can it be ..
on December 16, 2011
at 7:48 am
Except that these fences havent served Europe well. A tall fence can keep 3rd worlders out, but how will Europe live when 100% of its population consists of welfare whores?
No wonder, Portugese job seekers have flooded into Angola now. Take that, Europe. Watch out Angola, there is a flood of worthless, jobless, welfare whoring Europeans headed your way!
And of course, I read about British butlers in heavy demand in rich households in China and Russia!
And of course, I wonder why Indians need visas to travel to Britain when TATA is the No. 1 industrial employer of Brits. With 8000 Brits lined up for 1000 jobs at TATA, they would do well to humble themselves.
on December 16, 2011
at 3:10 pm
@ Nikhil,
I understand your frustration on getting the Schengen visa. Let me explain
why it could have been refused.
Since you hold an Indian Passport and travelled to Britain for which you had obtained a Visa to UK from India you should also have arranged your holiday while in India to Germany and Switzerland and applied for your Swiss Visa followed by the Schengen Visa in India.
The reason why I say (first your Swiss Visa followed by the Schengen Visas in India.) is that you intend entering Swiss via Germany.
The possession of a Schengen tourist visa does not allow you entry to Swiss from any of the Schengen state countries. On the other hand if you had a Permanent Resident Visa from any Schengen countries you would be allowed entry in to Swiss because you are employed and you have no problem getting back to the Schengen state country where you permanently reside even though you might hold an Indian passport.
Under normal circumstances holding the little Blue Book from India or for that matter any other 3rd world country is the reason. Because in the last 3 decades there was so much human trafficking from some of the countries.
For example Many people fled Sri Lanka due the war.
Most came through several other countries before they arrived in any Schengen country purposely losing their Passports and applying for refuge status. So making entry illegally they lived on state benefits and walked through fields into neighboring countries and applied for benefits there too.
So actually almost all the Schengen state countries had this problem and started closing the loopholes. You are facing this problem because thousands of such people set a bad precedence.
So your assumption that they collect Visa fees to fund their financial crises is unfounded.
Any one coming to Britain and arranging a holiday to any Schengen country could face similar refusals.
If you need any further information please post your question @Rajpriya
on NRI.
I hope my message is clear. I will give correct information. I live in Germany.
on December 23, 2011
at 2:11 pm
i am an nri working in saudi arabia can i apply for shengan visa in india. because i need to take my son with me for tour. my son is studying in india.
on December 23, 2011
at 4:12 pm
@mdgr,
You have to apply for your Schengen Visa in Saudi Arabia because you are employed in Saudi.
When you apply you have provide the following documents with your Visa Application.
Passport valid at least for one year from the date of your travel
Your place of residence in Saudi (full address, with Tel No,)
At times they ask for police report from the area where you reside in Saudi.
Letter of employment from your employer stating your monthly salary and
How long you are in their employment,
Whether you have been granted leave for the period you will away from Saudi.
Whether you have a work permit and for how long it is valid
Your valid Residence Visa to Saudi (it should be endorsed on your Passport)
Your Saudi Residence permit must be valid for at least one year from the day you apply.
Any details friends or relations in Germany and if you did have, then letters from them to assure you will leave Schengen states before the expiry of Schengen Visa
Medical Insurance covering the period you will be in the Schengen countries.
Your travel itinerary, Return Air Ticket with confirmed hotel bookings.
Finally you will be required to pay non-refundable Visa fees. In case you are refused Visa the fees will not be refunded.
You son has to apply for his Visa in India.
on January 11, 2012
at 9:31 am
i haveworkpermit in india and want to go britain as a tourist how can i get british tourist visa please clear me this
on January 11, 2012
at 9:33 am
sorry i have work permit in italy n want to go britainas a tourist
on January 11, 2012
at 10:45 am
@arsad ali,
You need UK Visa. Here is where you can apply for it.
You will find all the information you need if you follow this link.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/find-an-embassy/europe/embassy-rome
on May 16, 2012
at 11:07 am
Hi Guys,
My name is Siddharth and I am staying in New Delhi. I am planning to Italy, Austria,Switzerland, Belgium, France and Spain. Do you think getting a Schengen Visa would be enough to travel across all these countries. I will be visiting in August and will be travelling for 4 weeks, with a maximum stay in Italy.
on May 16, 2012
at 2:31 pm
The only country you won’t be able to enter with Schengen Visa is Switzerland. You have a get a visa to Switzerland from the Swiss embassy in New Delhi.
on May 17, 2012
at 4:55 am
@Rajpriya – Thank you very much for the help.
But if we go directly to Switzerland via Schengen Visa, then can we travel Swiss? As I have heard Schengen Visa allows us to travel out of Switzerland but doesn’t allow you to get in bound.By that I mean we can travel directly to Switzerland with a Schengen Visa, but once we leave the country we wont allowed back without a Swiss Visa.
Hope I am clear.
Thanks again
on May 17, 2012
at 6:36 am
It is true you can leave Switzerland to any Schengen States country if you have the Schengen Visa but you cannot enter Switzerland with a Schengen Visa.
You have to obtain a Swiss visa to enter Switzerland whether it’s direct or indirect.
You can enter all the EU countries with a Schengen Visa except Switzerland if you hold a passport from a country outside the EU with the only exception that you have a Permanent Residence Visa from Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and so on.
Tourist visas are not Permanent Residence Visas.
Beware:If you are entering Switzerland first and then going into Schengen countries and want to re enter Swiss to fly back home to get multiple entry visas to the Swiss to avoid being refused entry.
Same goes for all the Schengen countries you need to enter more than once. I hope this helps.
on May 17, 2012
at 6:49 am
Switzerland is now part of the Schengen…my brother just went yesterday and so did I last yer on a Schengen visa… So you can go there on the same visa, don’t bother getting a seperate Swiss visa coz the embassy will tell you u don’t need one.
on May 17, 2012
at 6:58 am
@Siddharth,
Please verify directly from the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi for accurate information.
The Link :
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/asia/vind/ref_visinf/visind/vndind.html
on May 17, 2012
at 7:00 am
@nikhil
Thank you for helping me out on this because I never had to get a Visa to the Swiss.
on May 26, 2012
at 1:48 pm
Hi guys,
I am travelling to UK during june first week on Tier 2 (ICT) Short staff visa category on work permit for 6 mnths. I was planning to apply for schengen visa when i reached UK. Could you tell me what documnts are required, what is the visa processing fee and is their any constraint that schengen visa will be granted to only if i have spent 3 mnths in UK. Is it possible to plan a trip (if not big but a short weekend trip to like Paris) within the 6 mnths time in UK ?
on May 26, 2012
at 4:23 pm
@DA,
Very unlikely you would be granted the Schengen visa in UK if you hold an Indian passport and secondly if your visa to UK is only for six months. As an Indian passport holder you will be to able apply for the Schengen Visa only in your own country.
If you go into past answers on this same question you would find all the answers. To make it easy see the link below.
http://www.vfs-germany.co.in/visainformation.aspx
on June 16, 2012
at 6:59 pm
Dear Rajpriya
Your posts have been very interesting and informative to read
Small suggestion if you could give. I hold Indian passport and am working in Bangladesh on Work Visa. I plan to go to Switzerland and other few countries in Aug 2012 with my mother who also holds Indian passport but lives in India. My question is:
1. Do I need to apply (Schengen) the visa in Bangladesh or India
2. Do I necessarily need to have an individual Swiss Visa and then proceed for the trips
3. What will be the fee for the separate Swiss Visa and that of the Schengen Visa
4. How long does that take to be granted for the visa
Please give an insight.
Many thanks
Alark Singh
on June 17, 2012
at 12:24 am
@Alark Singh,
Thank you.
Your mother certainly has to apply in India for Schengen Visa.
Putting it even clearer for such future inquiries.
One applies for the Schengen Visa from the country where you normally reside. That would mean your mother has to apply from India.
In your case are you living and working in Bangladesh on a permanent or temporary basis? If it is on a permanent basis you will need to apply from Bangladesh.
Having said that the German Embassy in Dhaka is the best place to inquire for all the details for the most current information for your visa. See link below
http://www.dhaka.diplo.de/Vertretung/dhaka/en/02/Einreise__Hauptbereich.html
About the Swiss visa please read Nikhil’s info posted here on May 17, 2012.
on July 6, 2012
at 3:37 am
Dear Rajpriya
Thank you indeed for the information and guidence.
Can you also advise in Bhutan – for Indian passports – is the passport needed (for visa i know its not needed) for getting into Bhutan or for that matter Nepal.
Many thanks in advance, Alark Singh
on July 6, 2012
at 4:32 am
@Alark Singh,
My knowledge on Visas is limited to Schengen states.
I am not an expert on getting visas to other countries. I have no knowledge of Bhutan and Nepal. Try a google search and you will find your answers for sure.
Sorry I couldn’t help.
on July 12, 2012
at 9:30 am
Hey,
One of my friend’s wife applied for UK tourist visa before Marriage (based on her fathers Financials) and was rejected. The reason for refusal was due to un-satifactory Father’s bank account.
Now she is married to my Friend (who is having a valid UK Visa), can she apply for Swiss Schengen Visa for their honeymoon?
This time around she is applying based on her husbands financials.
What are the possibilities of Swiss Schengen visa rejections?
Please advice.
on July 12, 2012
at 11:24 am
@Kunal,
She has to apply for Schengen visa in the country where she normally resides. She won’t be issued a Schengen visa based on her husbands UK visa. best place to get the information is the Swiss embassy in the country where she normally resides.
on July 12, 2012
at 11:51 am
Thanks for the email.
Both the Husband and Wife are Indian Passport holder residing in India only.
But my question to you was whether UK Visa rejection of the girl before marriage can create a problem for Swiss Schengen Visa?
Husband and wife would be applying together for the Swiss Visa.
on July 12, 2012
at 1:07 pm
@Kunal,
A Schengen visit visa is issued on the basis that one has sufficient funds to return to his or her own country without getting stranded before the expiry of the visa.
Now that she is married I am certain her husband will have to give sufficient proof of his financial status which also needs to be satisfactory to the embassy.
That he is employed in India the amount he draws as salary, his other assets like own house, savings and finally that he has leave from his employment for the period he intends to be away.
All other details you will find from past comments if you patiently go through posted under this same subject.
It is best to ask the Swiss Embassy nearest to your home town. I don’t know if they will reject her application. She has to find out herself.
on July 15, 2012
at 6:54 pm
Dear Rajpriya,
I am an Indian passport holder currently working and residing in Qatar for the past 4 years.
In August (12.08.2012) i am planning to visit Germany (Kassel) for 8 days and will be hosted by my German friend.
I got a Schengen visa from the German Embassy here in Doha, which is valid for 30 days and it says type of Visa – C and number of entries – mult.
i want to know what exactly does this mean.I dont plan on visiting any of the other schengen states, i am aware that i could visit any of the schengen states with this visa.
My question is – will i be asked a lot of questions at the immigration in frankfurt airport? i plan on taking a train to kassel from the fernbahnof station at the airport itself. I have a return ticket of course back to Doha and a copy of the invitation which clearly states in english and german that i will be hosted by my friend. Of course to get the visa in the first place a list of documents were required which i submitted and duly got the Deutschland visa on my pasport within 2 days of submitting the documents.
I have been reading so many blogs and other stories that take place at the frankfurt airport put in my first world country passport holders…..that is making me a bit jittery, travelling on my indian passport.
Any tips and assistance will be appreciated. I have been living in the Guld for 14 years and my air travels have been limited to my country of work and India only…hence the apprehensiveness.
Thanks in advance
Allen.
on July 15, 2012
at 8:05 pm
@Allen,
If you have a Visa endorsed on your Passport you have nothing to worry. If the Visa was issued in two days your application has been taken for granted as genuine. Don’t believe all the jittery stories that you may have read on blogs.
German authorities are NEVER against genuine visitors.
Yes you could take a train from Fern Bahnhof at Frankfurt Airport. Fern meaning long distance train station. It would you 3hours and 20mins to Kassel and the cost of a one-way ticket is Euro 34.50. Do not take trains known as IC and ICE they are costly almost double the price. There may be one change of train you may have on your way to Kassel from Frankfurt. So watch out.
Trains are quite fast and equip your self some snacks and water or any drinks because you would get them on the train. If you know your arrival time in Frankfurt you can buy your ticket on line using the link below.
If you need any further help or info write here I will be happy to help you.
Trust me you will be 200% OK.
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/d
on July 15, 2012
at 8:08 pm
Correction: It would take you 3hours and 20mins to Kassel and the cost of a one-way ticket is Euro 34.50.
You could buy the ticket online with your credit card and print it out in advance from where you are.
on July 15, 2012
at 8:11 pm
Sorry once again: Trains are quite fast and equip your self some snacks and water or any drinks before you board the train because you would NOT get them on the train.
on July 16, 2012
at 8:20 am
Dear Rajpriya,
Your kind words of advice has been comforting…i take the liberty to ask a few questions which might sound silly to some but imp. to me.
1. My travel agency in Qatar is also arranging my train from Frankfurt Flug Fe to Kassel-Wilhelmshohe. I have requested them for a standard ticket so that i can take any direct trains that go to kassel, should i miss the 8:42 ( i land at 7 a.m on 12.08.12) and not sure if i can make the 8:42, the next is at 10:42…
my travel agency says that they will just issue me the ticket (a bit expensive around 70 euros)but i need to reserve the seat locally (by paying another 15 euros or so)what exactly do they mean by this? do i need to reserve the seat? i already have a ticket!
Since i dont believe in credit cards i dont own one ( i have debit cards only) and for such online buying debit cards are useless.
On the other hand my host mentioned it to me that he could as well buy me a train ticket online and send it to me….is this advisable? will i be asked for some sort of ID if am using a ticket booked online my my host?
Are tickets also available at the counter itself – at the fernbahnof? am not talking abt the wending machines…
and lastly, at the passport counter should i handmy passport to the official with the visa page open and the invitation letter…or just handhim my passport?
sorry…its a long long query..i just dont want any hassles…considering the fact that i am travelling on my indian pp.
Thanks again
on July 16, 2012
at 8:23 am
sorry just a quick one…
is the platform number, track number etc printed on the ticket?
on July 16, 2012
at 10:13 am
@Allen,
I do not regard any of your questions silly since it’s your first visit o Germany.
You are arriving at 7.00am in Frankfurt.
1. Provided your flight is not late you may be able go through your Passport control within half and hour. If you have lots of previous endorsements on your passport it is advisable to open the Visa Page when handing over your passport to the officer. You go through faster.
2. 7.30am you would then proceed to collect your baggage. You take a trolley from the baggage area. The band where your baggage will come on will be clearly marked. By 8.00am you should be able to proceed to the ticket counter and to the (fern Bahnhof) station that would be clearly marked.
3. Generally people speak English in Germany. Do not feel shy to go to the information counter and inquire.
4. Your arrival date being a Sunday I do not know if ticket counters will be open. Take your friends advice and get your friend to send the ticket. So by 8.30am you must be able to board the train and find a seat if you do not get lost in the Airport.
5. Your ticket allows you to board the train but does not guarantee a seat if there is a huge crowd. The seat reservation may not be necessary.
6. If the train originates from Frankfurt fern Bahnhof and the day being a Sunday the crowd may not be that much. Your platform at fern bahnhof is No. 5 (Five) unless there is no last minute change.
7. The train is an Intercity Express that has a restaurant on board if you should get hungry. The travel duration 1hour and 40 mins.
8. No! You won’t be asked for any ID. Once you print out your ticket there is a space to write down your name on the ticket. From then onwards only you will be able to use the ticket.
9. Your Indian passport won’t cause any problem for you I assure you, as long as a valid visa is endorsed on it.
10. Wünsche Ihn einen angenehme Flug und ein wunderschöne Aufenthalt ins Deutschland.
11. Above sentence means: I wish you a very pleasant flight and a wonderful stay in Germany. Hope these tips help.
on July 16, 2012
at 12:25 pm
Thanks Rajpriya….
You cant imagine i feel so so…relieved.
Keep up the good work
thanks again.
P.S: i might come up with a question or two…almost a month to go, before i actually travel.
on July 16, 2012
at 12:37 pm
@Allen.
You will soon learn what “Kein Problem” means.
It is my pleasure to assist my fellow Indians whenever possible and assisting has never hurt me.
Best of luck on your journey.
on July 24, 2012
at 6:48 pm
@Rajpriya,
i had applied for schengen visa through swiss embassy on 18th July and they have refused it on 23rd because of “the information which i provided for stay is not reliable”
in my case my wife is already there in Switzerland on short term work permit and I applied through tourist visa. I have done my hotel booking in Switzerland and provided it to embassy on hotel letter head with all my documents but evenafter all this they have refused my visa request and also stamped my passport.
i am not sure what went wrong in my case may be i told them the fact that my wife is already there on short term work visa till sep’12.
Can you guide me for reapplication because i really want to meet my wife and same time this is the best time when we can visit Europe.
on July 24, 2012
at 8:21 pm
@Durlabh,
I don’t live in Switzerland and I cannot tell you why they have refused your visa. Where you may have gone wrong I believe:
1. Why did you book a hotel when your wife is already there?
2. Is she not living in an apartment of her own?
3. Her work visa may be too short (2 Months) and the nature of her short term visa.
4. They don’t believe you are going on holiday.
5. You should have applied to go on holiday with out mentioning your wife was already there.
6. Your employment and your own financial status is very important to get Schengen visa.
7. If you are employed do you have so much of leave from your company to join your wife till Sept. and then visit Europe?
8. Once your Passport is stamped with refusal you may not be able to apply for your visa through any other country’s embassy.
9. Cancel your hotel booking instantly if you have given your credit card details for this booking.
10. You have got yourself facing a dead end. I honestly don’t know how to get you out of it.
on July 25, 2012
at 6:53 am
Hi,
Actually i had taken advise from one of my friend who works here in swiss embassy and she told me that you can tell that your wife is already working there.
She went there on 31st May and will be back in last week of sep’12. i am not sure because of her short term work visa i could have stayed with her or not so i opted for hotel booking
My financial status is good so it is not the problem. and asked for 15 days leave which had been approved by my company & i submitted the employer letter also.
Nedd your help to know about
1.Is there any chance that i can visit europe in next 2 month because my wife is there upto 30th sep’12 and we really want to use this opportunity to visit europe together.
2. When can i reapply for schengen tourist visa
3. If yes, should i apply at swiss embassy again or from other country
4. Will this stamp on passport trouble me in future also
Please help!
Thanks for your support
on July 25, 2012
at 6:54 am
Hey Rajpriya,
This is an extension of Durlabh’s query, once the VISA has been rejected when can we reapply to the same embassy or a different embassy for a schengen VISA.
Thanks in advance
on July 25, 2012
at 7:29 am
@Durlabh,
Having a friend working at the Swiss embassy?
Well! She is the best person who could tell you how put things right.
However I must tell you they have one common law between all the Schengen state countries.
The stamp on your passport is intended to prevent you from applying for this visa through another Schengen state country’s embassy.
If you ask your friend who works in the Swiss embassy she would tell you this. Looks like it would cause trouble in the future too.
There is something wrong with documents you say you produced to the embassy. They sometimes call the people involved in those documents to verify the credibility of those.
Somehow you have given enough reasons to them that your intentions are not genuine. It may be hard to get back on course.
Hotel bookings are so easy to get. I can book hotels in ten different countries online for the same period and get printouts and cancel all of them later.
Your best bet get tips from your friend at the Swiss embassy. If she is a genuine friend she would tell you where you went wrong.
I am almost certain that friend is a local Indian recruit and may not be able to help you. She won’t be able access insider information that led to the refusal of your visa.
But I am still wondering why you had to book a hotel. Where does your wife live in Swiss?
on July 25, 2012
at 7:42 am
@Varsha,
The grounds on which your application for Schengen Visa was refused may be the same. Your genuine intention to travel there has not been accepted as genuine.
However I am almost certain you can write to them appealing to reconsider Your application and to the same embassy and provide strongest proof of your intention of leaving the country before the expiry of a visa if you have refusal stamped on your PP.
These countries have huge problems with people entering who later become illegal emigrants moving from one Schengen state country to another and worse they go underground.
on July 25, 2012
at 8:04 am
she is in geneva
on July 25, 2012
at 8:28 am
@Durlabh,
Still does not answer my question. Does she not live in an apartment or flat of her own and why was there a necessity for you to book a hotel?
See my answer to Varsha. Write a letter appealing to reconsider your application for visa and try to provide credible information at the same time seek clarification why it was refused.
You have the right to have them answered to get back on course. As I said Before I won’t be able to influence the Swiss embassy anyway. They are getting tougher by the day.
The easiest country to enter is UK. Well keep it to your self.