When applying for a Schengen visa, there are mistakes you should avoid; otherwise, your visa application will be rejected.
In this article, we have highlighted some mistakes you should avoid when applying for a Schengen visa, from ensuring the passport is valid and carrying all the required documentation to submitting an application form duly filled.
Read our list of common mistakes travelers make while applying for a Schengen visa and avoid them.
1. Submitting a passport without first verifying that it is still valid
Many people forget to check their passport validity before submitting their Schengen application. It seems obvious, but when was the last time you checked? When will your passport expire?
Before submitting a passport, when applying for a Schengen visa, it should be valid for 3 months before you exit the Schengen area. Additionally, the passport should have been issued within the last ten years.
2. Forgetting the most crucial information when purchasing travel insurance
When traveling to Europe, you must get travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros (about 26, 77,953 Indian Rupees).
If you apply for a Schengen visa and then find out later that your application was denied because you booked a plan with a lower level of coverage or opted for a policy that did not cover all Schengen areas for the entirety of your stay, this could be the explanation.
Additionally, the travel insurance policy should pay for any additional necessary emergency medical procedures and cover any costs associated with repatriation.
3. Disclosing inadequate employment details
Ensure to include a letter of employment issued within the past three months and your application for a Schengen visa. The letter must have been produced within three months of the application date.
The employment letter should be printed on the organization’s letterhead, and the recipient’s complete address and contact information should be given clearly and concisely.
In addition, the letter needs to include a stamp and a valid signature from the employer.
4. Not disclosing adequate details about your visit.
You need to submit your Schengen visa application from either the nation where you will be staying for the maximum number of days allowed or the country which will serve as your entry point.
Share the specifics of your plan for the nation or city in which you will be spending the majority of your time, as well as the activities you will participate in daily, beginning with your travel plans inside the destination and working your way up to your accommodations.
Include other information, such as vehicle rentals or travel plans that involve flying or taking the train.
5. Failure to book a round-trip flight ticket
You must provide a round-trip flight ticket, as this gives the embassy evidence that you will return within the allotted time.
You won’t be tempted to overstay your visit and risk having your application turned down if you have a ticket already paid for and confirmed.
1. Unable to provide verifiable proof of enough money to support your stay and source of income
Travelers must have a bare minimum amount of money in their accounts before entering any country. This sum establishes that you have the means to support yourself.
According to Schengen Visa Info, you’ll need at least EUR 100 per day to visit Austria, EUR 45 per day to go around Germany, and 45 EUR per day to travel around France, provided you have hotel accommodations booked in advance.
To bolster your application, you should include proof of financial stability through bank statements, credit card statements, and a recent pay stub, all of which should be postmarked (do not submit online bank statements).
Your visa application may be rejected if your bank balance drops below a certain threshold. After determining the minimum deposit amount, you should keep that amount in the bank for at least six months and refrain from making any transfers to third parties right before applying.
2. Not providing confirmed hotel and flight reservations
Among the documents you should submit are confirmed hotel and flight tickets. You should submit fake documents because the persons checking them take time to verify them.
There is a chance that they will deny your application for a Schengen visa if they discover that the reservations are not confirmed.
Consequently, ensure your reservations are verified on a third-party website.
3. Providing insufficient information about the sponsor
When applying for a visa, providing the form with complete information regarding the sponsor is of the utmost need.
If a member of your family or a business is paying for your accommodations, you must present a letter of sponsorship in addition to their financial accounts.
If your sponsor is located in Europe, you will also need to provide supporting documentation, such as a letter of invitation and evidence that you have a place to stay.
