Many Indian travellers dream of visiting Europe during summer, especially from April to July, which is the peak tourist season. But with high demand comes higher scrutiny, and getting a Schengen visa during this time can be tricky. Even a small mistake can lead to rejection. Several applicants, like Mahima and her family (name changed), have faced rejection simply because their travel intent wasn’t clear in the documents.
If you also plan to visit Europe, it is important to apply for your visa with proper care. A single error in the application can delay your dream trip. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid Schengen visa rejection, especially for a tourist visa.
Most Common Reasons for Schengen Visa Rejection
Many first-time applicants face rejection due to these simple but common mistakes:
- Incomplete or incorrect documents
- Passport issues (old, handwritten, or expired)
- No clear travel itinerary or covering letter
- Suspicious or unclear financial proof
- Mistakes while filling the visa form
Let’s look at how to avoid each of these and prepare a solid Schengen visa application.
Make Sure You Have All the Required Documents
The most basic but critical step is collecting and submitting all required documents. Missing or incorrect paperwork is the top reason for rejection.
Mandatory documents include:
- A valid passport, not older than 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after your return date
- Passport must have at least 2 blank pages
- Old passports (if any) must also be submitted
- Two recent colour passport-size photographs (35mm x 45mm, 80% face visible, white background)
- Last 3 months’ personal bank statement, with seal and signature from your bank
- Income Tax Return (ITR) of the last 3 years
- PAN card copy
Always submit documents on A4 size paper and never staple any of them.
Fill the Visa Form Online — Avoid Pen and Paper
The Schengen visa form must be filled online only, especially because it contains a barcode. After filling, you need to print it and sign the form manually. Do not fill or edit the form by hand after printing — this can lead to mistakes and confusion.
Once printed, review all details carefully and ensure your name, passport number, travel dates, and accommodation details match your other documents.
Additional Documents Based on Applicant Profile
Depending on whether you are employed, self-employed, a student or retired, you must attach extra documents:
If you are working:
- Job letter from employer
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer
- Last 3 months’ salary slips
If you run a business:
- Cover letter on company letterhead
- Business registration certificate
- Company bank statement and ITR
If you are a student:
- NOC from school/college
- Recent report card and student ID
If you are retired:
- Pension proof or income from property or business
If travelling for honeymoon:
- Wedding invitation, marriage certificate, and photos
If a child is travelling alone or with one parent, a notarised NOC from the other parent and passport copies are necessary.
Always Explain Your Travel Intent Clearly
One of the major reasons Mahima’s visa got rejected was because her family did not explain their purpose of travel clearly. Even for a tourist visa, you must attach a detailed covering letter, stating:
- Reason for travel (tourism, honeymoon, etc.)
- Countries to be visited
- Travel dates
- Accommodation details
- How you plan to finance the trip
If your visa was previously rejected, mention it in your new application and explain why it was rejected and what changes you have made now.
Avoid Last-Minute Applications
Apply for your Schengen visa at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance. During the peak travel season, appointments get delayed and embassy timelines may increase. Also, keep in mind that each country may have slightly different processing times.
Applying on time gives you room to fix errors, provide missing documents, or reschedule appointments if needed.
Disclaimer: Visa rules may vary slightly depending on the Schengen country you apply through. Always check the latest guidelines from the respective embassy before submitting your application.
Sources: Moneycontrol, Schengen Visa Info, VFS Global
