Is it a good idea to appeal a Schengen refusal or should I just reapply?
I am an Indian national living in US. I recently had a denial for Schengen visa from the Swiss consulate. The reason for refusal was:
The information submitted regarding justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable.
I have been going to Europe extensively for the past 3 years (every 2-3 months or so) and have had 5 visa approvals prior to this rejection. So I was a bit stunned by the rejection. I am trying to decide whether to appeal the decision. I know that I will not get a response in time for the trip so this appeal is just to clear my name and not to answer any questions of visa refusals in future. I have following questions:
- Does the fact that I cannot make the trip influence the final decision of the Swiss authority? As in, would they automatically reject my appeal knowing that the trip is no longer possible? I have non-refundable air tickets but have cancelled hotels since the flight is in 3 weeks.
- I have a trip to Spain planned at the end of November and I am planning to apply to Spanish consulate in mid-September. Would a pending appeal influence their decision?
Just to re-iterate, I would like to appeal mainly to clear the refusal as I do think I provided all the documentation that was necessary. I will be adding additional documents to bolster my claim this time around. But judging by the time it takes to get a decision it won't be possible to make the trip. So I want to know if my appeal will still be valid and whether I can apply for a visa from a different consulate while the appeal is ongoing
Best Answer
Appealing only makes sense if you are absolutely certain that the consulate did not process your application correctly. If you are 100% sure that, given the application and documents you submitted, that your visa should have been approved, then appealing can make sense. You should include a letter which explains all of the documents you submitted and how they demonstrate your circumstances.
If you were refused because some documents were missing, then appealing doesn't really make sense; you can and should just reapply. Remember that, even if you have had a refusal, each application is evaluated on its own merits. The same is true if you have had five applications approved. So, no matter how many Schengen visas you get, it is wise to take care with preparing them so as to avoid a refusal.
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Can we apply for Schengen visa again after rejection?
In most cases, you'll be able to reapply for your Schengen Visa as soon as you've been informed about your visa rejection. There are a few exceptions though. Schengen Countries like Switzerland and Finland have their own rules in regards to reapplying for a visa after its been rejected.What can I do if my Schengen visa is refused?
You have several options if your Schengen visa is rejected:What are the chances of getting Schengen visa after rejection?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO APPLY FOR A VISA AFTER REFUSAL? In 90% of cases, a Schengen visa can be opened almost immediately after refusal, if all the requirements of the consulate are met.Can I apply after refusal?
There is no mandatory waiting period for re-application \u2013 unless otherwise noted, you may apply again for a visa at any time after your first rejection. However, sending the same application a second time without additional information is likely to result in rejection for the same reasons as the first.Schengen Visa Appeal Process and Letter for Refusal (Europe Visa)
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