Visa rejections cause financial losses for Indian travelers, with stricter regulations and high application volumes impacting dreams of international travel
Visa rejections are taking a significant financial toll on Indian travelers, with estimated losses reaching Rs 662 crore in 2024 alone. Stricter visa regulations and rising application volumes are cited as major reasons behind these rejections, especially for popular destinations like the US, Schengen countries, Australia, and New Zealand.
A recent surge in social media complaints highlights growing frustrations among Indians, many of whom shared stories of rejection despite submitting all necessary documentation. Popular tourist hubs such as the UAE, which accounted for nearly 25% of Indian outbound travelers, have introduced stricter visa requirements, causing an uptick in denials, reported business-standard.com.
Visa Rejection Rates by Destination
Recent data shows sharp increases in rejection rates compared to pre-pandemic levels:
- New Zealand: 32.45%
- Australia: 30%
- UK: 17%
- US: 16.32%
- Schengen area: 15.7%
- Financial Losses for Indian Applicants
Rejections lead to financial burdens due to non-refundable visa fees, travel insurance, and pre-booked accommodations. Estimated losses include:
- US: Rs 257 crore
- Schengen area: Rs 124 crore
- Australia: Rs 93 crore
- New Zealand: Rs 72 crore
- UK: Rs 116 crore
Indian travelers often face difficulties in securing refunds for travel arrangements after visa refusals. For example, Delhi-based Mayank Sharma lost Rs 3.5 lakh due to non-refundable bookings when his Schengen visa application was denied.
Indian travelers lost Rs 662 crore to visa refusals in 2024, with New Zealand and Australia recording the highest rejection rates among popular destinations.
Reasons for Increased Rejections: Several factors contribute to the growing rejection rates:
- Stricter financial proof requirements: Applicants must show robust financial stability.
- Tighter immigration policies: Authorities allege misuse of tourist visas for work or extended stays.
- Increased visa fees: Countries like New Zealand and Schengen nations have sharply raised their visa fees.
- High application volumes: Visa processing systems remain strained post-pandemic.
- Shifting Trends in Indian Travel
While traditional destinations like the US and Europe remain popular, more Indians are exploring visa-friendly alternatives such as Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. These destinations offer simplified documentation processes and lower costs, making them attractive options.
Tips to avoid Rejections as per experts:
- Ensuring complete and accurate documentation.
- Demonstrating clear travel intentions.
- Proving financial stability to cover expenses.
- Submitting sponsorship proof, if applicable.
Role of Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can provide some relief by covering losses from visa rejections. Certain plans even refund visa fees under specific conditions.
***********************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken a small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, running a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will make a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com