“I was too confident.” That realization hit me hard when I opened my passport and saw no Schengen visa stamped inside. The German Embassy had denied my application. It was my second time applying, and after a smooth first experience, I thought I had it all figured out. I assumed getting that Schengen Visa Appeal Success would be just as easy. I was wrong.
But when things don’t go as planned, it’s not the end of the road. You can explore Visa-free destinations or focus on balancing work and travel before reapplying.
If you’re serious about the digital nomad lifestyle, TMTG’s special eBook, “The A-Z on Becoming a Digital Nomad,” is the perfect guide to get you started. It breaks down the essentials, from working remotely to managing travel logistics – helping you prepare before tackling visa applications.
Now, let’s shake off the negativity for a moment. Take a deep breath and picture yourself here…
Relaxing, isn’t it? Grab a tripod to take pictures and a winter jacket to keep warm. Visualizing your dream destination can help you stay motivated and keep professionalism, even after a rejection.
But let’s be real – sometimes, reapplication isn’t the best immediate course of action. A Schengen Visa refusal can be frustrating, but understanding the application process and the most common reasons for rejection can help you strategize better.
Instead of jumping straight into another Schengen visa application, there’s a way to skip the tedious process of scheduling another interview, getting sufficient funds, refiling financial documents, and waiting weeks for a response.
That solution? A Remonstrance, a formal appeal requesting a new decision on your visa application. It’s a legal, free process, and in some cases, it’s your best shot at overturning a previous rejection.
Visa denial doesn’t mean the end of your European dream!
So, let me boost your confidence by sharing my guidelines, appeal process, and how I filed a Schengen Visa application in LESS THAN A MONTH, and finally step on your feet to where ever Schengen countries you are routing to.
Understanding Your Visa Refusal and Next Steps
On January 21, 2015, I received the Ablehnungsbescheid (Refusal of Visa Letter/Notification).
I hope no applicant ever has to read those words. I know how devastating it feels to see D-E-N-I-E-D instead of a visa sticker. But take a step back, focus, and read on – there’s still hope.
Previous rejections are not random; embassies provide specific reasons explaining why an application was refused. Here are the most common reasons:
To fix the complexities and understand clearer, here’s an explanation. The letter provides an outlined “sub-reasons” on why your application was not successful.
Whatever is marked in your rejection letter should be clear enough for you to take the next step. Analyze it and if you think that you can OPPOSE THE REASON or write an appeal letter which the embassy noted and therefore DO NOT AGREE WITH ITS DECISION in denying your application, start to prepare for the filing of your Remonstration.
IMPORTANT: If you deem that the Embassy’s decision is right and you do not have any acceptable reasons and supporting documents for your remonstrance, stop reading this AND START WITH YOUR NEW APPLICATION!
On January 22-24, 2015, I crafted my Remonstrance Letter and prepared the necessary documents which support my appeal.
The rejection of my visa application denoted Reason Number 8: “The information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable.”
I tried to remember what I have said during my interview and could not recall what’s wrong and what’s lacking with the details I have uttered. The supporting reason answered that: “Your purpose of the stay was not substantiated by the documents presented.”
On my second application in January 2015 for a Visitor’s Visa, I submitted the same documents based on my first application in August 2014 and was too confident (like what I have said in the first paragraph of this article. Apologies for saying it again.) that it would give the same result. But I was stupid enough not to consider the big difference in the period I am requesting.
I requested a 21-day stay on my application last year while my 2015 application was a 90-day (the maximum days you can get within six months) multi-entry Schengen Visa. I explained that my three-month stay included both visiting a friend and preparing for a Master’s program in Hamburg, Germany, by taking a language course.
However, I failed to submit the necessary documents to support these claims. I had focused only on the general and basic requirements of a visa to visit a friend. I opted for the Visitor’s Visa as I have a Formal Obligation from a friend in Germany and will then stay in his place so I do not need to present proof of accommodation.
Additionally, acquiring a Schengen Visa for participation in a language course lasting no longer than three months requires additional evidence that you have previously attended language courses, which I did not have.
For your reference, here are the links for the list of requirements I needed in applying for a Schengen Visa in Germany, according to my purpose:
For visiting family/friends: Information regarding the Visa Processing for applications for a Visitor’s Visa for the Federal Republic of Germany
For participating a language course not more than three months:
I prepared a copy of the email from the University, acknowledging the receipt of my application and the schedule of my one-month language course. I needed some days to complete the additional documents and to finalize my Remonstrance letter which includes quite a lot of readings.
I wanted to be very sure that time and considered that appeal as my last chance to get the Visa before my confirmed flight on February 16. Generally, the remonstrance letter should include the following:
- Your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and the number of your passport
- The date your application was rejected
- A serviceable address that contains the street name, house or apartment number, City/ Town/ Village, postal code, if applicable: please state your e-mail address
- The remonstration must be signed by your own hand (a remonstration by a third party e.g. your sponsor, can only be accepted and processed if you have given your sponsor a power of attorney, which is submitted with the remonstration)
On January 26, 2015, I sent my Remonstrance letter via email.
For my case, I also asked my friend to support my remonstrance which I guess was helpful as it was written in German. Be sure that your letter and the one you asked to assist you are coordinated.
This is my Remonstrance Letter’s format:
From January 27 up to February 12, 2015, those were the days of frustration.
My flight comes closer and no email yet from the Embassy regarding the result of my Remonstration. New plans are coming like starting to prepare my documents again for the new application.
The thought of going through the long process all over again – filing paperwork, organizing financial statements, and ensuring every requirement was in order – felt overwhelming. Having a document organizer would have made it easier to keep everything in one place, but at that moment, the entire situation just seemed exhausting.
Though 85% of me was telling that I need to give up already on that Remonstration result because of the various experiences I am reading in forums that there is really no clear time on how long the Embassy will respond to your appeal, I still decided not to rebook my ticket. There’s still a 15% of me who believes that there will be a result soon anyway, and that, I will fly in some days.
I know that waiting for the result was the only thing I could do during those days and try to avoid making follow-ups to the Embassy regarding my appeal. Asking for an update time by time slows the Embassy’s system and so I encourage every petitioner to BE PATIENT during the process! I guess my patience can only take two weeks.
On February 9, 2015, I sent an email, asking for any information about my plea. I did that because I supposed 14 days after I sent my Remonstration was reasonable enough to ask for an update and my flight would be in seven days then.
I set February 12, 2015 as my last day of waiting.
It was Thursday and if the Embassy wants to issue the Visa, it should be on this day so I can have time (on Friday) to bring my passport. My email showed nothing from the Embassy. I decided to arrange my ticket the next day.
Then, February 13, 2015 became the “Thank You, Lord!” day!
I welcome each day with opening my eyes and checking emails on my phone. URGENT was the first word I saw. I stayed relaxed as I knew it was not work-related; the people in my freelancing activities have never used the word urgent as a subject of their emails, even though it’s urgent.
So… I opened that mail and my 15% hope immediately went up to 100% but ended with 98%. Yes, HOORAY FOR A NEW DECISION! But the 2% disappointment was for the re-booking fee.
As indicated in the Embassy’s email, it needs one up to two to three working days to issue my visa. I changed my flight date on February 20, and it was not cheap as I submitted not a reservation ticket but a confirmed one.
IMPORTANT: Do not ever do what I did. Just pass a reservation of round-trip ticket during your personal interview. The Embassy is not requiring an applicant to present the confirmed tickets. I thought I will be approved immediately so I purchased CONFIDENTLY my flights.
Don’t forget to include travel insurance in your document organizer! It’s a crucial part of your travel essentials, ensuring you’re covered in case of unexpected emergencies, trip cancellations, or medical issues. You can focus on enjoying your trip with peace of mind.
February 16, 2015 was the day of my departure which turned into the day of the submission of my passport and new tickets.
I do not have any idea on how it should be but it turned definitely easy. The Counter 1 in German Embassy is designated for inquiries like mine.
The lady just asked the new date of my departure and suggested just to pick up my passport personally because of the holiday on the 19th.
February 18, 2015 – “This is it!” Day.
My smile on that day while looking my newly-printed Schengen Visa was enough reason to be speechless.
Highlights!
To avoid being denied your application:
- Allot enough time in applying for a Schengen Visa. Do the personal interview THREE MONTHS before your preferred date of departure, though it is possible to do for ONE MONTH.
- Prepare and bring all the REQUIRED documents and MIGHT BE REQUIRED. For instance, photos showing how you have known the person inviting you (for Visitor’s Visa and for Formal Obligation). Do not just stick with what is listed from the Embassy’s information sheet.
- BE CONFIDENT, but DO NOT BE OVERCONFIDENT! It is important to get that convincing feeling for the Embassy Staff during the personal interview. Talk friendly and present your requirements confidently (but not too much).
- EXTRA TIP: Many visa applications require you to show a full travel itinerary and a verifiable flight reservation in order to process your visa application, but why would you pay for a flight if you’re not sure that you’ll be able to use it? You can make a request for a confirmed and legitimate flight ticket here.
If refused:
- ADMIT your FAULT if you think you really did mistakes in the application. I believe that Embassy has enough reasons why it did not issue your Visa.
- DO NOT GIVE UP and FIND THE SOLUTION. Even if no one knows how high the possibility of receiving a new decision is, TRY TO FILE A REMONSTRATION! (as soon as possible). You are only allowed to appeal for one month after the receipt of rejection.
- Invest LOTS OF PATIENCE. I know how frustrating it is to wait WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHEN you can receive and WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULT, but be PATIENT! It would be worth the wait!
If your remonstration is not granted:
- ACCEPT IT and do a new application. Fix your documents and evaluate thoroughly what was wrong.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the application process, take a break. Surround yourself with inspiring photos of your dream destination…
Take a deep breath, do your best, and your Schengen Visa Appeal Success might just be one well-prepared application away!
FAQ
Meanwhile, Scandinavia – along with top tourist destinations like France, Germany, Portugal, Greece, and Spain – continue to be the toughest for a Schengen visa in 2023, with Estonia and Belgium approving the least visas (again, after Malta).
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).
The appellant states the reasons for the appeal, i.e. why he/she sees the decision as incorrect. Information that was not stated in the visa application cannot be a reason for the appeal. The appeal is subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, which reviews it within 60 days.
About the Writer
Jessica Ayun is a Freelance Writer who writes if 5-10 cups of coffee a day will be served. She used to work as a TV Researcher but her feet are always curious to step into new places so she decided to work in the communities of Visayas and Mindanao as a Documenter for almost two years, through a non-government organization (NGO). She tries to see the “real happiness” in every person she meets and every place she goes to. She will always choose mountains than beaches.