Common Reasons Why Schengen Visa Applications Get Rejected

Many visa applicants get confused and unable to exactly understand the reason for their visa refusal. Some reasons for Schengen visa denial in Nigeria are just too difficult to figure out on your own. What makes an Embassy or Consulate reject providing you with a Schengen Visa?

Here are a few reasons;

False or Incomplete Travel Documents

This is one common area where people get it wrong. Presenting a false travel document to the embassy or consulate, trying to misrepresent your identity, or use of fake documents can result in Visa denials. Be sure to provide authentic documents - Flights, Accommodation, travel insurance, itinerary etc.

Past or Current Criminal Actions

The past and current circumstances and actions of the applicant matter a lot in the decision of the consular officer in issuing a Schengen visa. In such cases, the refusal might occur because the applicant is considered a threat to the public policy, internal security or public wealth of the Schengen Area (i.e. terrorism, drug abuse, child abuse, addiction, other serious crimes).

Insufficient Explanation For The Purpose And Circumstances Of The Planned Stay

Another reason for visa rejection is failing to have the needed justification for your purpose and conditions of the planned travel and stay such as;

  • Failing to present an employment and business documents that matches with the presented financial situation

  • Incapacity to provide documents that support the purpose of travel and stay in the Schengen Area

  • Missing to apply for a visa period in conformity with the presented travel itinerary and holiday right or revenue situation

Passport Invalidity

  • Presenting a passport that does not have a valid period less than three (3) remaining months after the return from the visit to the Schengen Area

  • Presenting a passport that does not possess two different blank visa pages

  • Presenting a Travel Document Booklet instead of a valid passport

  • Presenting a valid passport that is older than ten (10) years

 Inability to substantiate The Travel Itinerary

Such cases include:

  • Applying at the wrong Embassy of the Schengen Area (not being able to determine the main destination of your visit in the Schengen Area)

  • Not being able to prove to have a booked accommodation for each destination and each night to spend in the Schengen Area

  • Not being able to provide booked flight ticket for each applicant (when a group of travelers)

  • Not being able to provide travel tickets for each destination to be toured in the Schengen Area.

Insufficient Means Of Subsistence

Such cases might involve:

  • Failing to offer financial statements not older than one (1) month from the application date

  • Lacking to enjoy a current account statement (presenting credit card statements in its place)

  • Missing to possess enough funds in financial statements presented

  • Presenting a traveler’s cheque that does not have the candidate’s name

Travel Insurance

You might have presented insufficient travel insurance coverage for the duration of stay in the Schengen Area. or not presented any at all.

This is not an exhaustive list but pretty much sums it up.