Re-interviewed for Schengen visa but got rejected for other reasons
I am a single, young Iranian applicant for Schengen Visa at German Embassy. I have a friend in Germany who is married, female and older than me. We established a strong friendship and she sent me a Verpflichtungserklärung (VPE) for visiting her and Germany for 2 weeks long. So I prepared all documents regarding Schengen Visa, like employment certificate, bank accounts, travel insurance, VPE, filled in application forms, recent bio-metric photos and etc.
At the first interview, the officer (who was also Iranian), took the documents and asked few questions. She made it sound weird that we only met on the internet. But, I explained her that she helps me learning German and we are good friends form 2 years ago. Anyhow she took all the docs and said, the decision result for your case will be sent in 2 weeks.
After a week they called me and said I am invited for another interview at the embassy by consul. I went there and this time, there was a German guy who was asking questions. Perhaps he was the decision maker.
First, he asked "What is your purpose of visiting Germany?" I explain my knowledge about their culture, foods and how I am fascinated about visiting there. Moreover, I explained about my friendship with my friend. Then he said she is much older than you. I told him that she is married, the age is not matter in friendship and ... . Then he made it a big deal that we only met on internet and not in person. I explain him, about the opportunities that technologies provide to us, the living creature of 21 century. Then he passed it and asked, What is your job exactly and I answered. Then he said at 2 PM (in 5 hours) you can get your passport and the result.
Unfortunately, I got a rejection letter attached to my passport at 2 PM. The items with circles around them, were the reasons of my visa refusal.
Your intention emigrate visa from the territory of the Member States, before the end, could not be found, because:
1) The documents submitted by them do not allow positive conclusions on the presence of a secure livelihood in Iran
2) They have not proven your economic bond in Iran with the documents in courts.
It means, 1) my salary is not enough in Iran, so I may stay there for a living. Also 2) I don't have anything economical to force me coming back to Iran, like owning a home, documented property or a lease.
In the second interview, the German guy didn't ask about these things. He asked about the aim of my visit, why is she older than me, how is her family, how did you met, was it in person or on internet, how long do you know her. I answered to all of his questions with confidence in detail and explained every bit of his concerns. So he couldn't select (circle) the other items for my visa rejection like :
Their acquaintance is not clear, the aim of visit is not clear, there are ambiguities in oral interview about his aim of visit, his plans for staying and their acquaintance.
So I think there are 2 possibilities and I am really wonder which is true?
1) He was not very happy that we were only internet friends (as I felt it in the interview), but my answers were so strong and clear, so he couldn't use those reasons to reject me. Thus he used those vague economical reasons to refuse my visa request.
2) He knew that he has to reject me for at least the given economical matters, but he was unsure if there are more reasons, like the ones he asked in the second interview, to reject me. Thus, I could know all my weakness in my application case for future correction. Anyhow, he found out, the only problem that I have to fix for future is my economic bond and salary.
I had about 8,000 EU deposit in my back account which was sufficient for a visit. I have an official job (teacher), which is not very well paid here, (about 400 EU/month), 30,000 EU traveling insurance.
Best Answer
He probably assumed that you were trying to immigrate there; you would go, and never come back - this is why he asked "What is your purpose of visiting Germany".
It is clear from the rejection reasons that according to your application, you did not submit sufficient evidence of ties to Iran which convinced the officer that you intended to return back after your visit.
So if he wanted to reject me for insufficient ties to Iran, why did he invited me for second interview and asked about why is she older than me, how is her family, how did you met , was it in person or on internet, how long do you know he?!!
These are questions asked since it was not clear what is your relationship with this person.
In my opinion, once you told the officer about the true nature of your relationship; it further enforced the idea that you had no legitimate reason to come back, since you have no significant ties to Iran, and the premise of your trip (the reason for your request for visa) is simply to visit someone with which (according to the German Embassy rules/requirements/interpretations) you do not have a legitimate (true) relationship.
Keep in mind that there are no one-reason that ends all, the application is reviewed in its entirety.
Here is how your application was (probably) judged:
You applied for a short term visit visa; the purpose of your visit was unclear.
In addition, you submitted documents. These documents should show [a] you are financially capable of supporting yourself on this trip; [b] you have an itinerary that matches the intended purpose and duration of your trip; [c] you have significant ties to your home country such that you are likely to return at the end of your trip. The documents did not fulfil the requirements for which they were submitted.
Now, the next part is the interview. This is done for many reasons:
- Confirm/establish the validity of documents.
- Confirm the intent of visit.
- Detect fraudulent applications.
Your answers in this interview (for whatever reason) were not to the satisfaction of the officer and, given on the other negatives in your application the officer decided that you did not meet the criteria for a short term visit.
You are of course free to lodge a request for review.
Pictures about "Re-interviewed for Schengen visa but got rejected for other reasons"
Quick Answer about "Re-interviewed for Schengen visa but got rejected for other reasons"
- Insufficient reasons for the purpose of your visit.
- Not having proof of funds to support yourself during your trip. ...
- Not having travel insurance coverage.
- Providing inaccurate information.
- Invalid travel documents.
Why did my Schengen visa get rejected?
Your Schengen visa will be denied if the authorities believe you cannot afford your travel and living expenses in the Schengen area. In order for you visa application to be successful, you must successfully demonstrate that you can afford food, housing, travel, and all other costs associated with their trip.What happens if my Schengen visa refused?
You can appeal the refusal. The appeal must be submitted within 15 days of the receipt of visa refusal to the Consulate that decided to refuse the visa. The appeal must be an original with the original signature of the appellant, i.e. in person or by mail (not email).Can I apply for Schengen visa after refusal?
A common question newly rejected individuals and couples ask is \u201cCan we apply for a Schengen visa again after rejection?\u201d The answer to this question is always yes. Therefore, instead of appealing your rejected Schengen visa (or if your appeal fails), you could simply apply for a new Schengen visa.Do embassies know about visa refusal in other countries?
As long as there is no visa rejection stamp on your passport none will know that another country has denied your visa. Except for Schengen countries as they use the same system and they will be able to pull you information. In the Western world all of the embassies are linked into common computer networks and systems.REASONS WHY YOUR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATIONS WERE REJECTED
More answers regarding re-interviewed for Schengen visa but got rejected for other reasons
Answer 2
Another explanation of what happened was that he knew that financial things weren't good, but not so bad that he would have refused your application if you had convinced him that your friendship wasn't suspicious and that you have good enough reasons to return.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Sora Shimazaki, Alex Green, George Milton, George Milton