Indians lost Rs 136 crore in failed Schengen visas, with over 1.65 lakh applications rejected in 2024

In 2024, over 1.65 lakh Schengen visa applications from India were rejected, leading to a total financial loss of approximately ₹136 crore in non-refundable fees. Each visa application cost an average of €85 (₹8,270), placing India third among countries with the highest losses from rejected Schengen visas. Only Algeria and Turkey recorded greater losses.

According to a Conde Nast report, out of 11.08 lakh total Schengen visa applications lodged from India, 5.91 lakh were approved and 1.65 lakh were denied. The rejection rate stood at nearly 15%, according to data released by the European Commission.

India shared the burden of high rejection numbers with Algeria, Turkey, Morocco, and China. The global total of rejected Schengen visa applications surpassed 17 lakh in 2024, generating €145 million (₹1,410 crore) in fees from unsuccessful applicants. Indian applicants contributed €14 million (₹136.6 crore) to this total.

The highest number of Indian visa rejections came from France, which alone denied 31,314 applications. This resulted in a monetary loss of about ₹25.8 crore for Indian applicants. Other countries contributing significantly to the rejection losses included:

• Switzerland: 26,126 rejections, costing ₹21.6 crore
  
  
• Germany: 15,806 rejections, costing ₹13 crore
  
  
• Spain: 15,150 rejections, costing ₹12.5 crore
  
  
• Netherlands: 14,569 rejections, costing ₹12 crore
  
  

The Schengen visa fee for Indian applicants aged 12 and above was increased mid-year from €80 to €90, averaging €85 for the year. This fee structure excludes certain categories such as children below 12, students, representatives of non-profit organizations, and other special cases. Applying this average fee across all Indian applicants, the country spent nearly ₹916 crore on Schengen visa fees in 2024.

The high rejection numbers and associated financial losses have raised concerns among travel agencies and frequent travelers. Visa refusals affect not only the applicants but also impact tourism, business exchanges, and academic opportunities between India and Schengen countries.

The European Commission did not provide detailed demographic data on the rejected applications, but the volume and cost highlight the challenges Indian travelers face in securing Schengen visas. With more Indians seeking to visit Europe for tourism, education, and work, the visa approval process remains a critical area of focus.