Indian travelers are facing the toughest Schengen visa restrictions in years, with over 165,000 applications from India rejected in 2024. This sharp rise in visa rejections has led to financial losses of more than ₹136 crore, affecting tourists, students, and business professionals planning to visit Europe.
The spike in Schengen visa rejections has caused alarm among Indian applicants and the travel industry. Many are now questioning how to move forward, as the process has become more expensive, time-consuming, and uncertain.
Record Rejections and Financial Impact
In 2024, Indian nationals submitted about 1.1 million Schengen visa applications. Of these, 165,266 were denied—a rejection rate of 15%. The average fee for a Schengen visa rose to €90 (about ₹8,200) for adults in 2025, making each rejection even more costly. The total amount lost in non-refundable fees and related costs reached ₹136 crore, with the actual amount spent on applications by Indians in 2024 nearing ₹916 crore.
France led the list with 31,314 rejections, costing Indian applicants around ₹25.8 crore. Switzerland followed with 26,126 denials, Germany with 15,806, Italy with 15,150, and the Netherlands with 14,569. These numbers show just how widespread the problem has become for Indian travelers.
Delays and New Barriers
Processing delays have made things worse. In 2025, applicants reported waiting up to two months for appointments at major consulates, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. Italy’s backlog grew due to a surge in special “Jubilee2025” pilgrim visas, making it even harder for regular tourists and business travelers to get appointments.
| Country/Type | Visa Category | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Schengen Visa | up to two months |
| Netherlands | Schengen Visa | up to two months |
| Italy | Schengen Visa | increased backlog due to special visas |
| General | Schengen Visa | 30-60 days before travel recommended |
A major change came in Germany, which ended its informal appeal process (called “remonstration”) on July 1, 2025. Now, if your Schengen visa application is rejected in Germany, you must go through a formal legal process to appeal. This adds more time, paperwork, and cost for Indian applicants.
Why Are Schengen Visas Being Rejected?
According to a seasoned visa officer who spoke during a Reddit AMA, the most common reasons for rejection include:
- Weak ties to India: If you cannot show strong reasons to return—like property ownership, a stable job, or family responsibilities—your application is at higher risk.
- Inconsistent documentation: Mismatched travel plans, unclear itineraries, or luxury hotel bookings that don’t match your declared income raise red flags.
- Incomplete paperwork: Missing documents, such as employer sponsorship letters, can lead to quick denials.
- First-time travelers: Those without previous international travel history face more questions and closer checks.
The officer explained, “If I am not 100% sure that you will return to your country, I am unlikely to issue the visa.” He also stressed that employer sponsorship letters are “of utmost importance.”
Who Is Most Affected?
The impact of these Schengen visa rejections is felt across many groups in India:
- Tourists: Many lose not only the visa fee but also money spent on non-refundable hotel bookings, flights, and travel insurance.
- Students: Those hoping to study in Europe, especially in Germany, now face more hurdles. Germany was once seen as welcoming to Indian students, but the new rules and higher rejection rates have changed that.
- Business professionals and micro-businesses: Delays and denials disrupt business trips, meetings, and trade opportunities.
Travel agencies and business groups warn that if these trends continue, it could harm long-term relations between India and the European Union, making Europe less attractive for Indian students and professionals.
Country-Specific Trends
The rejection rates vary by country. In 2024, Malta had the highest rejection rate at 38.5%, followed by Estonia (27.2%), Belgium (24.6%), Slovenia (24.5%), Sweden (24%), Denmark (23.7%), Croatia (19.3%), and Poland (17.2%). Indian applicants are advised to avoid applying through these countries unless necessary, as their approval rates are much lower.
On the other hand, countries like Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland had approval rates above 88% in 2024. However, even in these countries, approval depends on the strength of your application and supporting documents.
What Can Indian Applicants Do?
To improve your chances of getting a Schengen visa in 2025, follow these steps:
- Apply early: Submit your application 30–60 days before your planned travel date. This helps avoid last-minute delays and peak-season backlogs.
- Choose your consulate wisely: Research recent approval rates and choose a country with a better track record for Indian applicants. While Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland had higher approval rates, alternatives like Latvia, Lithuania, or Estonia may offer faster processing—but be aware of their higher rejection rates.
- Prepare complete documentation: Make sure your passport is valid, your travel itinerary is clear and matches your financial situation, and you have all required documents. This includes:
- Sufficient bank statements
- Employer sponsorship or leave letters
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Proof of strong ties to India (property, family, employment)
- Be ready for interviews: Some consulates, especially Germany and France, may call you for an interview. Be honest, calm, and professional.
- Understand appeal options: If your application is rejected, you may need to file a new application or, in the case of Germany, go through a formal legal appeal process.
- Check the latest fees: Visa fees can change. Always confirm the current fee before applying.
For more information on Schengen visas, you can visit the European Commission’s official Schengen Visa Portal.
Industry and Policy Reactions
Travel agencies are calling for more transparency and simpler procedures. They warn that the current system is unsustainable for both leisure and business travelers. Policy experts say that if high rejection rates continue, it could damage long-term ties between India and the European Union, and make Europe less appealing for Indian students and professionals.
Consular officials stress the importance of showing clear intent to return to India and providing strong, verifiable documents. They also remind applicants that honesty and consistency are key during the application process.
No Signs of Easing
As of July 30, 2025, there are no signs that Schengen visa rules will become easier for Indian applicants. The trend is toward stricter checks and higher documentation standards. The European Commission reviews visa fees regularly, so further increases are possible in late 2025 or 2026.
Indian travel and business groups are pushing for more transparent and applicant-friendly processes, but no official changes have been announced yet.
Summary of Steps for Indian Applicants in 2025
- Apply well in advance and avoid peak travel times.
- Prepare all documents carefully and make sure everything matches.
- Choose your consulate based on recent approval rates and your travel plans.
- Be ready for interviews and possible delays.
- Know your rights if your application is rejected, especially in Germany where appeals now require legal action.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the current Schengen visa environment for Indian travelers is the most difficult in recent years. High rejection rates, increased costs, and new barriers mean that careful planning and strong documentation are more important than ever.
By following these steps and staying informed, Indian applicants can improve their chances of success, even in this challenging climate. For the latest updates and official forms, always check the relevant government websites before starting your application.
Learn Today
Schengen visa → A visa allowing travel across 26 European countries within the Schengen Area for short stays.
Rejection rate → The percentage of visa applications denied out of total applications submitted.
Remonstration → An informal appeal process against visa rejection, ended by Germany in 2025.
Employer sponsorship letter → A document from an employer confirming employment and supporting the visa application.
Jubilee2025 → A special visa category for pilgrims causing backlogs in Italy in 2025.
This Article in a Nutshell
Indian travelers face record Schengen visa rejections in 2024, with over 165,000 denials causing ₹136 crore losses. Germany’s stricter appeals and processing delays add challenges. Applicants must prepare complete documents, apply early, and choose consulates carefully to improve approval chances amid rising costs and tighter scrutiny.
— By VisaVerge.com
