In 2024, more than 1.65 lakh Schengen visa applications from India were denied, resulting in a financial loss of nearly Rs 136 crore in non-refundable fees. With each application costing an average of €85 (Rs 8,270), India ranked third globally in terms of money lost to visa rejections, after Algeria and Turkey, according to data from the European Commission cited by Conde Nast Traveller.Out of 11.08 lakh applications submitted by Indian travelers, only 5.91 lakh were approved, while 1.65 lakh were rejected. The rejection rate stood at nearly 15%.

Countries with the highest visa rejection costs for Indian Applicants:

In total, Indian applicants spent nearly Rs 916 crore on Schengen visa applications in 2024. Globally, more than 17 lakh applications were rejected across Schengen countries, generating a revenue of €145 million (Rs 1,410 crore) in fees from unsuccessful applicants. Indian applicants alone contributed €14 million (Rs 136.6 crore) to this amount.The high rejection rate and financial impact have raised concerns among Indian travelers, travel agents, and businesses, with many calling for more transparent and applicant-friendly visa procedures. Travel industry experts warn that these rejections not only affect individual plans but also hurt tourism, business travel, and academic mobility between India and the Schengen region.With the demand for Schengen visas from India at an all-time high, applicants are advised to plan well in advance, ensure complete documentation, and be mindful of stricter scrutiny, especially as appointment availability and processing times continue to tighten.