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An Indian traveler faced an unexpected visa refusal from the Austrian Embassy despite submitting all required documents and having prior Schengen travel history. This case raises concerns about the lack of transparency in visa decisions and inconsistent communication from embassies.
The Initial Rejection
The traveler planned a multi-country Europe trip, visiting Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Czechia, and Hungary, with Austria as the main destination. They applied for a Schengen visa nearly four months in advance through VFS Global in Kolkata.
Despite having sufficient funds, complete documentation, and previous Schengen visas, their application was rejected due to “lack of internal means of transportation.”
The traveler said, “We had previously traveled on Schengen visas and were never asked to submit internal transport bookings. This time, despite everything being in order, the visa was denied.”
The Appeal Process
The traveler quickly emailed the Austrian Embassy, attaching newly booked train and bus tickets between the cities on their itinerary. However, the embassy’s responses were vague, offering no clear indication of whether the additional documents would help.
“It was frustrating. They wouldn’t give any specific answers,” the traveler shared.
After two weeks of silence, the embassy finally responded, asking them to resubmit their passport and send the documents to the nearest VFS center. Two weeks later, they received their passport with a Schengen visa valid for exactly 22 days, matching their travel dates.
Public Reaction & Similar Experiences
The incident sparked discussions online, with some users sharing similar stories:
– One commenter said, “Good outcome. If visiting multiple countries, proof of travel between them should be included. Sometimes this is overlooked, but it’s better to provide these details upfront.”
– Another shared, “Same thing happened to me. I missed one document in my Austrian visa application, got rejected, sent the extra docs via courier, and got approval the next day.”
Key Takeaways for Schengen Visa Applicants
1. Book internal travel (trains, buses, flights) between Schengen countries in advance, even if not explicitly required.
2. If rejected, submit additional documents immediately with a clear explanation.
3. Persistence matters—follow up even if initial responses are unclear.
4. Embassy requirements vary; some enforce rules more strictly than others.
This case highlights the unpredictability of Schengen visa approvals and the importance of thorough preparation—even for experienced travelers.
ALSO READ:
– Schengen Visa: Common Reasons for Rejection & How to Avoid Them
– How to Write a Strong Visa Appeal Letter
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