In 2023, Indians were among the top five nationalities with the highest number of rejected Schengen visa applications. 151,752 out of a total of 966,687 visa requests filed in India were rejected, resulting in a loss of €12.1 million (Rs109 crore).
According to a report by Schengen News, Schengen states rejected a total of 1.6 million visa applications in 2023, generating €130 million (Rs1,172 crores) in fees.
Among the affected nationalities, Indian applicants experienced notable financial losses due to high rejection rates.
Other nationalities with significant rejection rates included Turks, Algerians, Moroccans, and Chinese.
The nationalities that spent the most on Schengen visas
In terms of rejected visa applications, these are the nationalities that lost the most money:
1.Turks: €13.5 million spent (Rs117.8 crores)
2.Algerians: €13.3 million spent (Rs116.1 crores)
3.Indians: €12.1 million spent (Rs105.6 crores)
4.Moroccans: €10.9 million spent (Rs95.1 crores)
5.Chinese: €4.8 million spent (Rs41.9 crores)
The countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates
These nationalities were denied the most Schengen visas in 2023:
1.Turkish applicants: 169,514 visas rejected
2.Algerian applicants: 169,514 visas rejected
3.Indian applicants: 151,752 visas rejected
4.Moroccan applicants: 136,367 visas rejected
5.Chinese applicants: 60,554 visas rejected (despite having one of the highest approval rates for the year)
How much did visa rejections cost India?
In India, the visa application fee for an Indian citizen above 12 years of age with an ordinary passport was €80 ( Rs7,200) before 11 June. The figure varies for children below 12 years of age, students and representatives of non-profit organisations and nationals of other countries.
While the current data does not reveal demographic statistics, for perspective, a seven-grand fee per applicant would mean that India invested approximately Rs696 crores in visa applications last year. With 1,51,752 applications rejected, Rs109 crore out of this was lost to trips that never happened.
Moroccan lawyers want a refund for rejected visas
Visa application rates and expenses are rising, making them unaffordable for some applicants.
The fee for a Schengen visa application increased from €80(Rs7,200) to €90 (Rs8,100) on 11 June, 2023.
This costs a quarter of the national wage in Morocco. In 2023, Moroccans spent a total of €10.9 million (Rs98 crore) on rejected Schengen visa applications, a 14.2% increase from 2022.
This significant expenditure highlights one of the most evident differences in spending for Schengen visas among nationalities. As a result, the Moroccan government has been urged to push for the reimbursement of expenses for visas that received a negative decision, according to SchengenNews.
Source : https://www.cntraveller.in/story/rejected-schengen-visas-cost-indians-rs109-crore/
