Navigating the Schengen Visa application process can be a daunting experience, especially when faced with an unexpected refusal. In this blog, we’ll share our personal journey through the Schengen Visa application for Austria, from the initial application process to the successful appeal against the refusal. If you’re searching for insights on how to handle a Schengen visa refusal, especially for Austria, you’re in the right place. Here’s our story, including detailed timelines and steps we took to finally secure our visa. Read the Complete List of Schengen Visa Refusal Reasons and How to Avoid Them.
Our Initial Application Process
Appointment and Submission:
On April 28, 2024, my spouse and I booked our appointment with VFS Global in Bangalore, India. We chose the first available Friday, which was May 17, 2024, for our appointment. As first-time travelers to the Schengen Area but with a history of travel to other Asian countries, we made sure our application was thorough and complete. Our documentation included:
- Schengen Visa Application Form: Fully completed and signed.
- Detailed Itinerary: Outlining our planned travel activities.
- Funding Proofs: Bank statements and other financial documents.
- Hotel & Return Flight Bookings: Confirmations for our stay and flights.
- Cover Letter: Explaining the purpose of our trip and our intent to return home.
- Property Documents: To demonstrate our ties to our home country.
- NOC Letter from Employer: Confirming our employment status.
- Three Years of Income Tax Returns: To verify our financial stability.
- Salary Slips: Recent pay slips to show steady income.
- Explanation of High-Volume Transactions: Clarifying any unusual banking activities.
Our appointment at VFS Global was efficient, taking just about an hour due to our morning slot. Consequently, our application was dispatched to the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi on the same day.
Application Status Updates:
- May 21, 2024: We received confirmation from the Austrian Embassy acknowledging receipt of our application.
- May 23, 2024: We got a notification that our application was under process.
- June 10, 2024: Another notification indicated that the application was processed and in transit.
- June 12, 2024: VFS Bangalore called us to collect our passports.
The Disheartening Refusal
Receiving the Refusal Letter:
Upon collecting our passports on June 13, 2024, we were dismayed to find a refusal letter enclosed. This unexpected decision was disheartening given our thorough preparation and comprehensive documentation. Read our detailed guide of how to handle Schengen Visa Refusal.
Refusal Reasons:
The refusal letter was a detailed 5-page document in both German and English. The primary reasons for refusal were:
- Reason 10: “The information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable.”
- Reason 13: “There are reasonable doubts as to your intention to leave the territory of the member states before the expiry of the visa.”
Additional reasons included:
- Reason 7: “One or more member states consider you to be a threat to public policy or national security.”
- Reason 8: “One or more member states consider you to be a threat to public health.”
- Reason 9: “One or more member states consider you to be a threat to their international relations.”
The letter also contained remarks in the “Other Remarks” section
Our Response to the Refusal
Addressing the Refusal Reasons:
When we reviewed the refusal reasons, we realized that we had already provided substantial evidence to counter the concerns:
- Reason 10 and 13: We had submitted property documents for our recent flat purchase in Bangalore and an NOC from my employer detailing my annual salary and approved leave. Despite this, the refusal suggested that these were insufficient.
- Reasons 7, 8, and 9: These reasons were confusing as we had no apparent issues related to public policy, health, or international relations. We speculated that the commonality of our surnames in a particular region of India might have contributed to these concerns.
Preparing the Appeal:
To prepare our appeal, we took the following steps:
Reinforced Evidence:
- We reiterated our recent property purchase in Bangalore and highlighted our ancestral properties.
- We emphasized our long-term employment and good professional rapport.
- We mentioned in our appeal letter that although we were first-time travelers to the Schengen region, we had previously traveled to other Asian countries without overstaying our visas. This demonstrated our adherence to visa conditions and further supported our intent to return home.
- We assured that moving to another country without proper authorization would jeopardize our lives.
Addressed Specific Concerns:
- For reasons 7, 8, and 9, we emphasized our status as law-abiding citizens with no litigations or traffic violations.
- We labeled the attached document as “Property Registration Document” to clarify any potential confusion from the document being in Kannada.
Submission of Appeal:
We sent the appeal letter and the flat registry document via speed post on June 15, 2024. The documents reached the embassy on June 17, 2024.
Appeal for Schengen visa refusal for Austria Follow-Up and Outcome
- June 24, 2024: We received an email from the Austrian Embassy addressed to my HR, with me in CC, requesting employment verification. We responded to this request the same day.
- June 26, 2024: We received a notification to resubmit our passports to the local VFS for reprocessing, indicating that our appeal was successful.
- June 27, 2024: We submitted our passports to VFS Bangalore for reprocessing.
- July 5, 2024: We received a mail from VFS indicating that our passports were in transit to Bangalore after processing.
- July 9, 2024: After receiving confirmation from VFS Bangalore on July 8, we collected our passports with the approved visa.
Note: The appeal process was free of cost for us; we did not incur any additional fees for the appeal. For Appeal letter format, please visit Handling Schengen Visa Refusal: Appeal Against Refusal (With Appeal Letter Format).
Conclusion
Our journey through the Schengen visa application process and the subsequent appeal for Schengen visa refusal for Austria was a challenging yet ultimately rewarding experience. By carefully preparing our initial application, addressing the refusal reasons comprehensively in our appeal, and providing additional clarifications, we were able to overcome the hurdles and secure our visa.
For anyone facing a similar situation, remember that a well-prepared appeal can make a significant difference. Thoroughly review the refusal reasons, address them clearly in your appeal, and provide any additional evidence to support your case.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, we hope our experience helps guide you through the process and inspires confidence in your own appeal efforts.
Feel free to reach out by commenting with any questions or additional tips on navigating the Schengen visa application and appeal process!
Hello ticket2travel.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I am living and working in Austria for last 7 months. I sent an invitation letter for my parents to visit Austria. It was a sponsored trip and I made sure to include all the relevant documents and cover letter. But unfortunately they received a refusal letter- Reasons :2,10 & 13
Please let me know how to proceed. Any help will be very much appreciated.
Hi Sharmin,
Thanks for reaching out to me and have a detailed discussion over mail. Our recommendations are given below –
To address reason number 2, the main issue is the lack of a clear travel intent. In your appeal letter, you need to explicitly state the purpose of their visit. Provide a detailed itinerary for their entire stay. Include information about the places and people they will visit, along with their addresses and contact details. This will strengthen your case, as the embassy may contact these references to verify the details.
For reasons 10 and 13, you must provide compelling evidence that they have strong reasons to return to the home country. Submit any property documents in their names and include details about family members who reside in home country. This will demonstrate that their primary life and commitments are in the home country, not Austria. If there is a significant weather in you home country and Austria, you may mention that it would be challenging for them to stay in Austria for an extended period due to their age. Additionally you may highlight that the support system and social life in the home country are more favorable for them compared to Austria, making overstaying in Austria impractical.
If your father is still employed, include a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his employer, stating that he is on approved leave and will resume his position after the holiday. Also, provide his Income Tax Returns for the past three years with the appeal letter.
Hi Kanishka and Namita,
First of all, loved your detailed blog about the harassing experience. Many of us can really connect to it. Coming to my case now :-
My wife and I have planned to travel to Austria, Slovenia, and Hungary in November 2024. I have been to Europe once in 2018 (on a bachelor’s trip ;p) and have a history of positive Schengen visa. My dad and I own a company but as per our company structure, he is the proprietor and I am an employee, even though I am the one fully handling the business now (happens in our traditional Indian homes all the time). Our visa got refused stating only point no. 10 with 7,8, or 9 in additional remarks and in other remarks they stated “it was not possible to check the employer because the letter submitted does not have a working landline phone number or official email address”.
Obviously small businesses like ours do not have landline phones anymore and our type of B2B manufacturing businesses do not even require a company domain. I did attach all the salary slips, NOC from my employer (my dad), ITRs, Bank balance ~3 lakhs and investment proofs ~50 lakhs. The salary slips and the NOC did have our company id @hotmail.com on which they didn’t bother to communicate. My fully paid flight tickets are booked and accommodation booked via my agent. I want to appeal against the refusal. As per your guidance i’ll draft a letter with additional proofs of my education, our company structure, GST certificate, and a letter from my dad requesting me to grant the visa as my employer and dad. Kindly advise!
Dear Rahul,
First of all, we are very sorry to hear about your visa refusal. I understand how disappointing this must be for you. Based on the information you’ve shared, I have a few recommendations that may strengthen your appeal:
1. Professional Email ID: It might be helpful to obtain a professional email ID in the name of your business. Google and other vendors offer cost-effective solutions for this. While I’m not certain of the exact costs, it’s definitely worth exploring as it adds credibility.
2. Business Structure Explanation: In your appeal, provide a detailed explanation of the structure of your business or your father’s business. Highlight the nature of your business and explain why an official email ID or a landline may not be necessary for your operations.
3. Supporting Documents: As you’ve already mentioned, include the GST details and a letter from your employer (your father) to further support your case.
4. Official Presentation: Write the appeal letter on your official letterhead and, if possible, send all documents in your official envelope. This can lend additional authenticity to your submission.
I hope these suggestions help in your appeal process. We wish you all the best for your appeal. Please feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.
Best regards,
Kanishka & Namita
Hi Kanishka and Namita,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m sure through this, many will find a way to get their visa.
———-
I applied for Schengen Visa for the first time for family visit. I have travel history of South East Asia and have valid Multiple Entry Visa for Singapore.
Applied from: India (Bangalore)
Applied for Country (Netherlands)
Short Stay asking for 45 Days Visa
Reason for visit: My cousin sister had multiple fractures and had an operation on 3rd September. To support her with daily chores. I’m a self employed – Marketing Freelancer and Stock Trader. Although in cover letter I’ve mentioned I stay with my parents and I’ve to be back to take care of them. I’ve also mentioned I’ve to meet my existing clients in India for Christmas and New Year Sale Campaigns.
Documents I took to VFS Appointment (But the at counter he removed many supporting documents):
Bank Statements showing I have and have maintained 4 Lakh Rupees Balance (4300 Euros) – Taken
My GST Registration Certificate along with 2 Year ITR – Taken
My tax computation docs and balance sheet that showed all my assets in India – Removed
My Property Tax Receipt, Sale Deed, Stock Holdings, Car Registration RC, My recent invoices to clients – Taken
My Cousin Sister’s Hospital Document stating she had an operation on 3rd – Removed
Cover Letter, Invitation Letter, Sister’s Resident Card, Her Passport Copy, My Passport Copy, Proof of Accomodation from Municipality – Taken
My Singapore Visa copy along with Passport stamps copy – Removed
Proof/Family tree showing how me and my cousins are related – Removed
My Sister’s Work Documents and her salary slip – Removed
My Sister’s lease agreement in Netherlands – Removed
Flight Tickets taken but Itinerary removed. (I’ll be only travelling to Netherlands. Not intending to tour)
Now to me it seemed he removed most of the important supporting documents. Especially the Hospital document because in our cover letters, application, invitation letters we have mentioned this is the reason I’m going.
Also, I’m travelling with one more cousin (Her actual brother). In his case, he took the hospital document, salary slips, lease agreement.
Now I’m super confused why he returned most of the documents in my case and I’m already worried my application will be rejected as it has become a lot weaker without those documents.
Is there anything I can do right now before they make their mind? I contacted Embassy through some numbers on Google. Turns out additional documents can’t be added. Still, I’m thinking of writing a final request email to Delhi, with all the documents as approval is really important for me, given that my sister is alone.
Dear Rishabh,
We’re deeply sorry to hear about your cousin’s accident. We hope and pray for her speedy recovery during this difficult time for you and your family.
Regarding your Schengen visa application, could you kindly clarify whether you applied individually or if your cousin (the one who is traveling with you) is the primary applicant? If you are a secondary applicant and your cousin is the primary one, the decision is generally based on the primary applicant, so there might be less cause for concern.
If you have mentioned your cousin’s accident in your cover letter, it could be seen as a factor of consideration, and the embassy might look upon your situation more favorably. However, I agree it is concerning that the VFS has removed important documents from your application. It is generally advised to insist that all supporting documents be submitted, as they play a crucial role in the decision-making process.
At this stage, since your application is already with the embassy, no further documents can be added. My suggestion is to remain hopeful for a positive outcome, and I would advise against sending emails to the embassy, as this is unlikely to have any influence on the decision.
In the unfortunate case of rejection, don’t lose heart. You can prepare an appeal letter, clearly outlining all the relevant details, and submit it along with the supporting documents that were previously removed. Make sure to submit everything physically to the embassy and remember to sign the appeal letter.
Wishing you all the best with your visa application and hoping for a positive result.
Kind regards,
Kanishka & Namita
Thank you so much Kanishka & Namita! Just what I needed to hear. I think I’m the secondary applicant as my application number ends with /02
Regarding the email, I know it may not influence the decision but I’m not seeing any harm in a very respectful email for my peace of mind (that I tried everything before refusal).
I also saw the Ambassador of Netherlands is very active on Twitter and usually helps/replies people with Visa issues. But that’s not the way I’m looking to go. Hence, maybe emails are active at Netherlands. Just my assumption
Dear Rishabh,
Since your application number ends with /02, it indicates that you are the secondary applicant. This might explain why VFS removed certain documents, as they may be considered redundant.
We wish you all the best with your visa application!
Kind Regards,
Kanishka & Namita
Hi Kanishka and Namita – Thanks a lot for this detailed post, this was very helpful and brings in optimism regarding the appeals process. I wanted to clarify if both of you had faced rejections and if yes, then did you both write separate appeals letter to the embassy. Will be very helpful if you can clarify this.
Hi Franklin,
Yes, our initial application was also rejected. We submitted two separate letters in one envelope. Our successful appeal motivated us to write this blog to help raise awareness.
Hi Kanishka and Namita – Thanks a lot for this detailed post, this was very helpful and brings in optimism regarding the appeals process. I wanted to clarify if both of you had faced rejections and if yes, then did you both write separate appeals letter to the embassy. Will be very helpful if you can clarify.
Hi, Should we write separate appeal letters for my father, mother and myself?
Or a combined appeal letter with all 3 signatures would do?
You have two options:
1. You can send three separate letters in one envelope, but get all the letters signed.
2. Alternatively, you can write a single letter and have all three members sign it.
Hi Kanishka and Namita – Appreciate putting this effort and creating the detailed post. I have my visa refusal from France. I checked online and the process looks cumbersome but still I am going to give it a try. The rejection of my visa application was based on three main concerns: the perceived unreliability of the justification for the purpose and conditions of my intended stay, doubts about my intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires, and questions regarding the reliability, authenticity, and truthfulness of the supporting documents submitted. I have already attached all the documents that I could. I am travelling with a friend. Do I need to provide NOC from husband as well?
Hi Pragya,
Thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad you found our post helpful! Based on the reasons for your visa refusal, I recommend writing a detailed appeal letter. In your letter, clearly explain the purpose of your travel, emphasizing the genuine reason for your visit. Mention that you have provided authentic documents and are willing to submit any additional information if required.
For addressing the concern about returning to India, emphasize your strong ties here. You can mention that your spouse, family, and support network are all based in India, which strengthens your intent to return after your visit.
Regarding your query about a NOC from your husband, it is not typically required for a Schengen visa application.
All the best with your appeal, and feel free to reach out if you have further questions!
Thank you! Me and my friend will be sending the appeal letters tomorrow to French embassy. I will definitely post a message here if it gets approved as your post was a ray of hope for us! 🙂
Thank you so much, Pragya! We truly appreciate your kind gesture! We wish you and your friend all the very best for appeal.
Hi Kanishka and Namita,
We have sent the appeal letters to the French Embassy today. Quick ques – once they receive the documents and start looking again then how do we get to know the status? In your case how did you receive the notifications? Did they send emails on your email id or were you able to track it on their site with the visa application reference number?
Thank you so much!
Hii the VFS global Website and travel agents say that we need to mail the embassy for appeal!
But you mentioned that you sent the appeal letter via post.
I have mailed them on 2nd Dec 2024 but no reply yet. My travel date is on 20th dec.
I am a little anxious as to what is the right process. Can you please help ?
Hi Prerna,
I checked with VFS, and they confirmed that the documents must be sent physically. Rest assured, they need to be mailed, not emailed. I suggest sending them an email to inform them that you’ve already submitted your appeal and that your travel date is December 20th. This might encourage them to expedite the process.
Dear Bhawna,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your situation. I understand how disheartening visa refusals can be. I’ll do my best to guide you on the next steps.
From the refusal letter, you mentioned the reasons cited were 10 (intention to leave the Schengen Area before the visa expiry could not be ascertained) and 13 (justification for the purpose and conditions of the stay was not provided). Based on these, you may need to strengthen the supporting documents in your appeal.
You might have already submitted these documents, but writing it for reference. Key Documents to Consider for Your Appeal Letter
1. Proof of Strong Ties to Home Country
• Employment proof: A letter from your employer mentioning your job stability, role, and leave approval for the travel period.
• Property ownership documents or lease agreements, if applicable. It can add a weightage to your application. If possible, add an additional tag as “property document” to explicitly highlight the nature of this document.
• Family ties: Any evidence showing your need to return, such as caregiving responsibilities or dependents.
2. Detailed Travel Itinerary
• Day-by-day plan of your trip, including accommodations, travel bookings, and activities planned.
• Confirmed flight reservations (avoid purchasing tickets until visa approval).
3. Proof of Financial Stability
• Updated bank statements for the last 6 months.
• Income tax returns or Form 16.
• Sponsorship details (if applicable), including a notarized sponsorship letter.
4. Accommodation Details
• Hotel bookings for the entire duration of your stay, or an invitation letter from a host with their residency proof (if staying with someone).
5. Travel Insurance
• Ensure it meets the Schengen requirements (minimum coverage of €30,000).
6. Clarifications for Refusal Reasons
• Explicitly address points 10 and 13 in your appeal letter. For instance, explain your intention to return with supporting documents (like job and family commitments) and outline your trip’s purpose clearly with all relevant evidence.
Next Steps
Appeal: Draft a detailed appeal letter addressing the reasons for refusal and attaching the above documents (which I’d not sent already). Be concise but ensure you cover all points raised by the embassy.
I hope this helps you move forward with your plans. Feel free to let me know if you have any further questions or need clarification on any of the points mentioned.
Wishing you the very best!
Hi ,
After sending appeal to both czech and Austria. We got response from czech and they are asking to pay processing fee around 7k . But can i consider this as appeal successful or does it mean that apeal is taken as new visa request and they r asking for visa fee again.. what do u think we should do ? And should i wait for austria appeal. They sent courier with a letter to our old address as per passport. They have asked to pay in cash? How do we pay? Should we go vfs and check with them
Hi Bhavna,
Thank you for the update.
Based on the response from the Czech Embassy, it seems like the appeal has been accepted for review, but the processing fee they’re asking for is likely separate from the visa fee. This indicates that they are processing the appeal as per their standard procedure. However, it does not necessarily mean that the appeal is successful or that a new visa will be issued—it simply means they are willing to review the case further. But, based on our experience, embassies generally do not reject the visas once they ask for a fee… 🙂
As for Austria, since the appeal process is free of charge, it might be worth waiting for their response before taking a final decision. However, please keep in mind that during the holiday season, embassies may be operating with limited resources, which could result in longer processing times. Delaying action might prove counterproductive, so it’s important to weigh your options carefully before deciding how to proceed.
Regarding the payment, it would be advisable to visit the VFS center for confirmation. They can also guide you on the best course of action for both appeals.
Let me know how things progress, and if you need any additional support, feel free to reach out. We wish you guys all the best.
Best regards
Hi… Thanks for your all-shared information. I am replying back here for others reference in case anyone faces similar issue in future.
First thing, we didn’t apply further for Czech visa since didn’t feel economically right to spend more.
Secondly, Our Austria visa and appeal both got refused stating first time Schengen travelers. (Response came by 30th Dec- just for reference i am mentioning)
But thanks for your overall experience sharing and helping out.
Hello ticket2travel.
Thank you for sharing your experience. This gives me some hopes.
I and my husband applied for Schengen visa twice in past 1 month – once for Czech Republic and second for Austria since our Czech Republic visa got refused. But now we have both visas refused. I am planning to travel on Jan 10-26th 2025 to celebrate my son’s first birthday. We don’t know what to do now. we think we have submitted all the required document but unfortunately, we received a refusal letter- Reasons :10 & 13.
What are the other documents should we share in our appeal letter.
Please let me know how to proceed.