The visa refusal not only ruined his travel plans, but also cost him approximately ₹47,000 in visa fees and agent fees as well as cancellation fees for flight tickets and hotel reservations. To add to his woes, the travel insurance was non-refundable. Ashar's monetary loss was equal to what she paid for the round-trip plane tickets.
Ashar is not the only person whose Schengen visa application has been rejected so far. Data from Schengen Visa Info shows that around 18% of the total 671,928 Schengen visa applications (including tourist and business visas) from India were rejected in 2022. That year, the India had the third highest number of Schengen visa applications among 167 countries.
To be sure, visa refusals are not limited to the Schengen states, an area comprising 29 European countries that have officially abolished mutual border controls. The application process for most Western countries is also subject to strict entry restrictions and involves cumbersome and tedious paperwork. In 2023, approximately 10% of total US B visa applications filed by Indian citizens were rejected, according to US State Department data. Additionally, tourist visas for the United States have also experienced tedious waiting times, exacerbating travel problems for applicants. Currently, the slot for a US B2 visa is only available next year.
So, if you are gearing up to plan a perfect summer vacation abroad in the upcoming season, you will need to study the visa process carefully before zeroing in on the country you want to visit.
Consider costs holistically
Visa fees for Western countries are quite high. For example, Turkey charges the highest fees ₹17,500 per traveler. The United States and the United Kingdom are next, with ₹15,540 and ₹Fees of 12,600 per person, respectively. Fees for most Schengen countries vary between ₹6,500 and ₹7,500. There are other costs as well.
The total amount you pay to obtain a visa generally includes the visa fee charged by the embassy of the country concerned, the service fee charged by Visa Application Centers (VACs), including VFS Global, BLS International or Gateway Visa Services, compulsory travel insurance. and other incidental expenses such as appointment fees, convenience fees, passport courier service fees, etc.
For example, visa fees for France are ₹7,100. VFS Global, the visa outsourcing company that processes Schengen visas, charges a service fee of approximately ₹1,825 and a convenience fee of ₹150. The total amount of visa procedure fees amounts to at least ₹9,000 per adult. So a family of four can expect to lose approximately ₹40,000 if visas are refused.
Optional services, such as premium lounge, courier services, in-center printing or home document collection, among others, add to the total cost.
Additionally, most countries also request confirmed flight tickets and hotel reservations as part of the visa application process. If you book a non-refundable ticket, you risk losing the entire plane ticket if your visa is refused. To guard against the risk of rejection, you may want to consider booking refundable tickets, which can cost 15-20% more. For example, Ashar had paid 15% more for refundable plane tickets. She therefore obtained a refund after deducting the cancellation fees.
Note that convenience fees charged by a VAC are approved by the respective governments.
“VFS Global service fees are duly approved by governments in accordance with contractual agreements. For example, in the case of Schengen countries, the service fee for short-stay visas can go up to a maximum of €40 (approximately ₹3,500) in accordance with the EU Visa Code Regulation. The service charges are different for each country depending on what the governments approve,” said a VFS Global spokesperson during an interaction with Mint.
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Plan ahead
The risk of visa refusal and long waiting periods are generally prevalent when it comes to applications to Western countries. Experts advise potential travelers to plan ahead, especially in the case of Schengen visas, as Europe's peak travel season approaches. “Slots for France, Spain, the Netherlands and other countries – where visa approval rates are higher and are available within a month – are filling up quickly,” said Priyesh Sharma, travel consultant specializing in Schengen and Canadian visas.
Yudhbir Singh, director-owner of Trimax International, a visa assistance provider, recommends people apply for a visa at least four months in advance. “Processing time between countries is not standard and can take around a month in some cases. Additionally, applying for a visa early will be helpful as it will leave room to reapply in case of rejection or to withdraw and reapply in case of delay,” he said.
To increase the chances of approval, you should read the instructions carefully before your biometric appointment date and bring all required documents. Going through an agent can help, especially for those short on time or applying for the first time, as these agents know the reasons that lead to approval or denial and can clearly advise you on the hygiene practices to follow . “Small details like what to include in the cover letter or the minimum balance to indicate in the bank account can influence the chances of approval,” said Nikita Dresswala, founder of Teleport, a technology platform that simplifies applications. visa applications.
Agents generally charge ₹500 to 5,000 for basic services like sorting out the right documents, providing cover letter guidance, submitting the application to the embassy, etc. This small bonus can help you save on the many incidental fees that are charged to the center if it is not available. well informed. “People are generally worried about Schengen and US visas because these involve a lot of paperwork. For example, the UK may reject a visa application if the applicant's bank account statements show sudden withdrawals or deposits. If we notice any such activity while reviewing the documents, we ask the applicant to explain such transactions in the covering letter so that it does not affect the approval of the visa,” Dresswala said.
Sharma pointed out that some agents charge a higher premium of around ₹10,000 to 20,000 and get an early appointment slot. But travelers should not confuse this with a guaranteed visa. “No agent can guarantee a visa, so don’t be fooled by this talk and end up paying through the nose.”
If your application is rejected, Singh says the traveler must reapply. “Refusals have no impact on future applications as long as they are not motivated by false documentation and misleading information.”
Look at simpler options
Several countries, including Thailand, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, have recently waived visa fees for Indian citizens. In some cases, like Kenya and Malaysia, you have to register online before traveling and the application is processed within a day, while in Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka you get a free visa upon arrival. arrival. You can consider these countries to avoid the hassle of visa processes and expensive fees.
Other countries that follow a completely online visa process, such as Singapore, Egypt, and Indonesia, among others, are also good alternatives with cheaper visa fees and shorter processing time.
