Schengen visa nightmare: Indian travellers lost ₹1.36 billion on failed applications in 2024
India ranked third globally in visa-related losses, trailing only Algeria and Turkey
In 2024, over 165,000 Schengen visa applications from India were rejected, resulting in a significant financial loss of approximately ₹1.36 billion (around €14 million or Dh56 million) due to non-refundable visa fees. With an average application fee of €85 (₹8,270), India ranked third globally in visa-related financial losses, trailing only Algeria and Turkey.
India’s visa application and rejection statistics
According to European Commission data, India submitted more than 1.1 million Schengen visa applications last year. Of these, about 591,000 were approved, while 165,000 were rejected—reflecting a rejection rate of 15%.
Visa appointment backlogs in UAE and new rules
As Gulf News earlier reported, Schengen visa appointment slots in the UAE are fully booked until August, driven by high demand during Eid and the summer holidays. Adding to the challenge, beginning July 1, Germany will eliminate the remonstration procedure worldwide, meaning rejected applicants will no longer be able to appeal visa decisions.
As a result, many UAE residents are exploring non-Schengen travel alternatives, though plans to visit Europe remain alive.
Let’s take a closer look at Schengen visa rejections for Indian travellers and applicants from other countries, the number of applications received in 2024, and how much money was lost due to these failed attempts.
Top Schengen Visa destinations for Indian applicants in 2024
Switzerland leads with 217,373 applications, all processed centrally through its New Delhi embassy, reflecting strong demand driven by tourism to its alpine regions and nearby European access.
France received 197,959 applications, processed across five consulates, with Mumbai (62,016), Bangalore (50,701), and New Delhi (49,348) handling the bulk. France remains popular among students, families, and tourists.
Germany had 142,955 applications, mostly from western India, with the Mumbai consulate processing 121,086 applications, showing concentrated demand from Maharashtra and nearby areas.
Spain saw 97,204 applications, nearly evenly split between Mumbai (53,698) and New Delhi (43,506), indicating widespread interest across India.
Netherlands processed 91,003 applications solely through its New Delhi embassy, highlighting steady demand for business, study, and tourism.
Other notable countries include Italy (60,365), Austria (43,504), Greece (41,418), and Sweden (32,939), while Hungary, Portugal, and Poland are gaining popularity for niche or repeat travel.
These figures reflect Indian travelers’ growing and diversified interest in Europe, influencing embassy and consulate planning for visa demand amid evolving Schengen regulations.
Which Schengen countries reject the most Indian visa applications?
France led in the number of Indian visa rejections with 31,314 denials, causing an estimated loss of ₹258 million (around €2.6 million or Dh10.4 million). Other countries with high rejection numbers include Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
These five Schengen nations saw the highest number of Indian visa rejections and the largest resulting financial losses:
France: €2.6 million (₹2.58 billion / Dh10.4 million) — 31,314 rejections
Switzerland: €2.2 million (₹2.16 billion / Dh8.8 million) — 26,126 rejections
Germany: €1.3 million (₹1.3 billion / Dh5.2 million) — 15,806 rejections
Spain: €1.28 million (₹1.25 billion / Dh5 million) — 15,150 rejections
Netherlands: €1.23 million (₹1.2 billion / Dh4.9 million) — 14,569 rejections
Schengen Visa rejections: Top Countries bearing the highest costs
Worldwide, over 1.7 million Schengen visa applications were rejected in 2024, generating €145 million (₹14.1 billion / Dh581 million) in non-refundable fees. Indian applicants alone contributed nearly €14 million (₹1.37 billion / Dh56 million) to this total loss.
These five countries faced the highest financial losses from Schengen visa rejections:
Algeria: €15.7 million (₹1.53 billion / Dh63 million) — 185,101 rejections
Turkey: €14.4 million (₹1.41 billion / Dh57.8 million) — 170,129 rejections
India: €14 million (₹1.37 billion / Dh56 million) — 165,266 rejections
Morocco: €9.8 million (₹957 million / Dh39 million) — 115,774 rejections
China: €6.8 million (₹667 million / Dh27 million) — 80,703 rejections
Rising visa fees and India’s total spending
In 2024, visa fees for Indian applicants aged 12 and above increased from €80 to €90. An average of €85 (₹8,270 / Dh33) was used to estimate annual costs. With nearly 1.1 million applications filed, Indians spent an estimated ₹9.16 billion (about €95 million / Dh378 million) on Schengen visa applications. Of this, roughly ₹1.37 billion (around €14 million / Dh56 million) was lost in non-refundable fees due to rejections.
Growing concerns
Travel agencies and frequent travellers have expressed growing concern over the rising number of visa rejections and the lack of transparency in the process. They highlight the financial burden and lost opportunities in tourism, education, and business. Experts are urging the European Commission and Schengen member states to introduce clearer guidelines and simplify procedures to ensure fairer, more efficient visa processing.
Schengen Visa appointments fully booked until August
As previously reported by Gulf News, Schengen visa appointments in the UAE are completely booked until August due to high seasonal demand.
Germany ends appeal process for visa rejections
From July 1, Germany will permanently abolish the remonstration procedure, which allowed applicants to appeal a visa rejection.
What was the remonstration procedure?
Previously, applicants could request a re-examination of their visa application within one month of receiving a rejection. This process enabled some travellers to overturn visa refusals without needing to reapply from scratch.
Change follows pilot project
The decision follows a pilot initiative launched in June 2023, during which Germany tested suspending visa appeals at several of its visa sections.
Travellers explore non-Schengen alternatives
With long appointment wait times and the end of Germany’s appeal option, many UAE residents are now looking at alternative travel destinations outside the Schengen area—even as hopes for European travel persist.
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