An Indian family with a strong global travel history was recently denied a Schengen visa to Austria, despite holding valid visas from countries like the UK and Canada, and having all necessary financial documents in place. The rejection forced them to cancel their long-awaited European vacation, resulting in emotional disappointment and financial loss.
The visa applicant, a well-traveled professional, shared his story online, describing the process as unfair and frustrating. The family had planned a special holiday to celebrate his mother’s 50th birthday, with a 10-day stay in Austria and 4 days in Hungary, entering and leaving through Vienna clearly making Austria the main destination.
This wasn’t their first international trip. The applicant had previously received Schengen visas from Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway. His parents have also visited nearly 40 countries and currently hold valid UK visas. Confident in their history and documentation, the family applied for an Austrian visa on May 16, 2025, via the VFS Mumbai center, under the “cascade regime” which usually favors long-term visa approvals.
However, on May 28, their application was denied.
The rejection was surprising. The embassy claimed that bank statements were missing for the applicant’s parents even though a ₹3 crore bank certificate from the applicant’s company (as the sponsor) was submitted. For the applicant and his wife, the reason cited was the lack of employment proof, like job letters and salary slips. But the applicant had clearly stated he is self-employed, and his wife is not working but fully sponsored.
The family immediately contacted the embassy through emails and phone calls, offering to send the additional documents urgently, since their trip was scheduled for June 10. Unfortunately, they received a reply only after June 14 after their planned departure date suggesting they reapply and pay €200 per person again.
Left with no choice, the family canceled their Europe trip and instead traveled to Thailand, losing nearly ₹1 lakh in the process. The applicant turned to social media to share his experience, asking whether this was an isolated case or part of a larger issue with Schengen visa processing. He questioned, “Is this just a way to collect more money from honest, tax-paying Indian travelers?”
His story has now caught the attention of many frequent travelers. Many are raising concerns about the lack of clarity and accountability in Schengen visa rejections, especially when similar applications were approved in the past.
While embassies do have the authority to review each visa request carefully, applicants say there needs to be better communication, faster responses, and more transparency especially when travel plans are time-sensitive.
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