Refusal of a visa to Germany: what to do?

Germany is one of the developed and stable states in the world. To travel to this country, our compatriots must apply for a visa. This process is relatively complicated, because when applying, all applicants are interviewed. Approximately 10-15% of applicants are denied a visa to Germany, but not all of them know what to do next.

What types of visas are available in Germany

German authorities issue several types of entry permits to Russian citizens:

1. Transit (category A). Intended for crossing the territory of the state when traveling to third countries. For transit for a period of less than 24 hours, Russians do not need to apply for this type of visa.
2. Schengen (category C). Valid in all Schengen countries. They can be issued for various purposes, for example, for treatment, short-term studies, tourism, guest or business visit. It is allowed to stay within the zone for no longer than 90 days in a row for one half-year.
3. National (category D). They give the right to stay up to 90 consecutive days in the Schengen countries and more than 90 - directly in Germany. This type of visa is long-term. Usually they get it for work and study at universities.

What constitutes a failure

Refusal of a visa to Germany is a small rectangular stamp that consular officers put in the applicant’s passport. Inside the rectangle is an alphanumeric code. The letter indicates the type of entry permit requested, and the number indicates the nature of the refusal:

• 1 - ban on issuing a visa for 3 months;
• 2 - the applicant is summoned for an interview;
• 3 - additional papers are required;
• 4 - the applicant is indefinitely blacklisted (in fact, this is a lifelong entry ban).

Which categories of applicants are most often denied

The circle of such applicants for a German visa includes:

• Unemployed.
• Girls who are not in an official relationship and do not have a high income.
• Persons who have not previously entered the country.
• Violators of the migration regimes of foreign states.

Possible reasons for failure and further actions

The reasons for refusing a visa to Germany can be very different:

1. Indication of incorrect or knowingly false information in the questionnaire.
2. Transferring fake or fake papers to the consulate.
3. Violation of the rules for filling out documents.
4. An outstanding criminal record.
5. Insufficiently strong connection with the homeland.
6. The applicant poses a threat to national security.
7. Suspicion of illegal labor migration.
8. Lack of real motives for the trip.
9. Not confirmed financial viability.
10. Lack of confirmation of visit planning.
11. Suspiciously short duration of the requested period of stay.
12. Violation of Schengen law on previous trips.
13. The validity period of the passport is less than 3 months from the date of departure from the country.
14. The applicant did not provide evidence of his intention to return to his homeland (for example, return tickets).
15. Health insurance policy is not issued.
16. Deportation from the Schengen countries in the past.
17. Membership in extremist and terrorist associations.

Germany is one of the countries of the Schengen zone, which most often refuses to issue a visa to Russians and immigrants from other CIS countries. At the discretion of the diplomatic mission of Germany, the reasons may not be disclosed to the applicants.

If the consulate makes a negative decision on issuing a visa, the applicant will receive a letter with his passport. It indicates the reason for the refusal, regulated by the Visa Code of the European Union, and detailed conditions for appealing the refusal.You can act in two ways - to file an appeal or to request a visa again.

Appeal

Refusal to obtain a visa to Germany may be appealed in the manner prescribed by the consulate.

First of all, the applicant draws up an appeal letter stating the following information:

1. The full name of the applicant.
2. Date and place of birth.
3. Passport data.
4. The number of the letter that was received with the passport, and the date indicated in it.
5. Current address, contact phone, email.
6. Reasonable reasons that, in the opinion of the applicant for a visa, should change the decision of the consul.

It is advisable to attach additional documents to the letter that justify the need to issue an entry permit. Those papers that were previously submitted to the consulate will not be needed.

Even if a visa is denied by invitation to Germany, you can appeal in several ways:

1. By mail or delivery services.
2. By fax.
3. By personal transfer of papers to the consulate.

A complaint may be filed within 1 month from the date of receipt of the decision. The review period takes up to 6 weeks. The applicant will be notified by letter of the decision of the consulate. He will be sent to the address indicated.

Resubmission

If a visa was denied to Germany, what should the applicant do with absolute confidence that he is right? Documents can be submitted again. This is not prohibited by Schengen law.

It is advisable to do this 2-4 weeks after failure. The applicant must first eliminate the errors in the application. Otherwise, he will receive a repeated refusal, with which it will be very difficult to obtain a visa at the consulate of any Schengen agreement country.

Recommendations to applicants

You can reduce the likelihood of receiving a visa denial to Germany if you adhere to a number of recommendations:

1. Before filing, documents should be reviewed again to identify possible shortcomings.
2. To visit the consulate should be prepared in advance.
3. It is best to submit an application yourself, and not through representatives. It is not worth resorting to the help of specialized agencies that offer a visa with a “guarantee”. Such firms are not always conscientious in their work and can make many mistakes in the questionnaire or even attach fake papers.
4. The information indicated in the documents should be as reliable as possible. It is unlikely to hide the unpleasant facts of his biography.
5. It is better to file an appeal with an immigration lawyer.
6. The reason for the decision can be clarified at the consulate. Staff can provide advice on obtaining a visa.

Visa refusals to Germany are not uncommon. No applicant has any guarantee that he will be issued with an entry permit. The reason for the refusal may not formally be explained. But there is always a chance to challenge a negative decision. The most important thing is to correctly identify the cause and eliminate it.