Visa Delays Cause an Indian National to Lose Thousands & Opt for Destinations Outside EU
An Indian man has revealed that his Greece visa application was rejected two days after his scheduled flight, causing him to lose €3,893 (3.5 lakh) in flights and bookings.
In a social media post, Mayank Sharma revealed that his Schengen visa application, which also was his first, had been in processing for over a month. These rejections might affect Indian nationals’ desire to visit the EU, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
[I] have decided not to travel to Europe in the foreseeable future. I am sure that [one] day the EU will regret such behaviour and will be forced to offer a red carpet for Indian tourists.
In a thread of tens of comments, another social media user noted that a US visa can sometimes be easier to obtain than a Schengen one.
Indian Nationals Complain Over Schengen Visa Delays, Long Waiting Times & High Rejection Rates
Sharma is not the only one to complain about Schengen visa delays or long visa processing as the net is buzzing with stories of Indian nationals sharing their not-so-pleasant experiences when applying for a visa.
A retired Indian couple who were also planning to visit Greece this summer, have also reported thousands of euros in losses since only one of them was granted a visa.
- It is funny that my visa got rejected and my wife got the visa. This clearly is an error and an oversight which has cost us close to €6,000. I am 72 years old, a well-travelled HNI (high net worth individual) and have been to around 40-45 countries. The reason for rejection was that my intended stay was not justified. We have provided them with the confirmed hotel booking, and return flight tickets. Indian Traveller
Mohak Nahta, founder of Atlys, a visa platform, explained that the increase noticed in Indian nationals travelling to Europe this summer, has caused fewer available appointments and longer processing times.
Nahta says that, currently, the average wait time stands between 35 to 40 days, so those who plan to travel to Europe, for example in July, should start their applications as soon as possible.
According to Abhishek Gupta, co-founder and director of trip navigator, the top four countries; France, Italy, Spain and Germany, which are the most popular destinations among Indian travellers, have the highest waiting time, as Money Control reports.
Indians’ Interest in Europe Increases Following Facilitated Visa Rules
Recently, the EU adopted new visa rules for Indian nationals, offering long-term and multi-entry visas for two years, if they have been granted any Schengen visas in the past.
The improved connectivity with Europe has prompted Indians’ interest in visiting Europe. A new study from Policybaazar has revealed that more than three-quarters (82 per cent) of Indian respondents that they have plans to travel abroad, would choose the EU destinations.
France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands are the most popular destinations among Indians, while a representative for Policybazaar reveals that travellers are purchasing travel insurance that exceeds 45 days, indicating that Indian nationals plan to take multiple visits during their trip in Schengen Area.
