Travellers Face Long Waits and Visa Rejections for Schengen Countries

Summertime is synonymous with travel for many Indians, with Europe a popular destination. However, this year, the dream vacation to Schengen countries is turning into a nightmare for some travellers due to long waiting times, high visa rejection rates, and a lack of transparency in the process.

Schengen Visa Hurdles for Travellers This Summer

1. Long Waiting Times and Appointment Delays

Long waiting times (35+ days) for Schengen visa processing and appointments booked months out leaving Indian travellers scrambling. With limited planning time, their dream summer trip to Europe feels more stressful than exciting.

2. Rejections & Confusion

Even with confirmed bookings and financial proof, some visas are rejected for unclear reasons deemed “unjustified” by travellers. This lack of transparency makes it hard to fix the application and reapply, causing frustration and confusion.

3. Improving Applications a Challenge

Knowing why a visa is rejected helps travellers improve their application. Unfortunately, Schengen countries often provide vague reasons, making it difficult to address the issue and potentially leading to more rejections and delays.

Also Read: 10 Common Reasons Why Schengen Visa Applications Get Rejected

Popular Destinations Hit Hard

It is worth noting here that popular Schengen destinations such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain experience a surge in visa applications during the summer months. Consequently, the influx leads to prolonged processing times and appointment backlogs, further complicating travel arrangements.

Impact on Travel Plans

The high Schengen visa rejection rate and long wait times are causing many to abandon their European travel plans and seek alternative destinations like Turkey and Southeast Asia.

This is particularly disheartening for senior travellers who may have planned trips for months, only to face last-minute rejections.

Limited Scope of New Visa Rules

While new Schengen visa rules offer the possibility of multiple-entry visas for frequent travellers, industry experts believe this benefits a small portion of the applicant pool.

The focus, according to experts, should be on streamlining the application process, increasing transparency, and potentially boosting staffing levels at embassies.

Travellers and Govt Need to Work Together

Experts suggest that both travellers and Schengen countries need to take action. Travellers can improve their applications by ensuring they meet all requirements, while embassies need to provide clearer communication and potentially implement faster screening mechanisms.

Staffing Shortages Slow Visa Processing

Schengen countries are grappling with increased tourist demand while still recovering from staffing shortages caused by the pandemic. This, coupled with the high volume of applications from various source markets, is contributing to the processing delays.

A Call for Improvement

While the new Schengen visa rules hold promise for the future, Indian travellers currently face significant hurdles in obtaining visas for summer travel. A collaborative effort between travellers, embassies, and visa processing centres is crucial to improve transparency, communication, and efficiency in the application process.

In conclusion, as summer approaches, Indian travellers remain cautiously optimistic, hopeful for smoother visa processes and memorable European adventures ahead.