Schengen Visa: No Informal Visa Appeal! Will Going to Germany Become Tough for Indians?

Till now, if a Schengen visa request by any applicant was rejected, he or she could apply a free and informal process known as the remonstration procedure. It allows one to challenge the decision without any requirement of going the court. This option is now being stopped.

What is new change regarding Schengen Visa Appeal from Germany?

•    A Schengen visa allows entry for non-EU nationals for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days to a country in the Schengen area. 
•    The applicants whose Schengen visa requests were rejected due to any reason, could apply a free and informal process i.e. remonstration. It allows applicants to challenge the decision without going to courts. This option is ending now. 
•    The German Missions in India said, “The Federal Foreign Office has decided to abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide from July 1. This eliminates a legal remedy in the visa application procedure that is not statutorily prescribed and which up to now has been granted voluntarily,” 
•    A two-year pilot project found that eliminating the informal appeal system helped free up staff and speed up the processing of new applications. 

How the Change in Schengen Visa Appeal will Impact Indian?

In year 2024, Germany denied 206,733 Schengen visa applications (13.7 %). Out of these rejections, many were from Indian applicants. It is going to impact Indian aspirants majorly as many Indians seek the visa for higher education, skilled job, tourism etc. After remonstration procedure end, rejected applicants will now have to submit fresh applications. It will take more time and amount. The other option is judicial appeal process which is a legal route but it will take much time which can go up to two years and normally requires professional legal help.

As informal appeal for Schengen Visa is being stopped by Germany from July 1, applicants will need to apply fresh or will have to opt legal process which will require time, energy and money. It is going to impact Indian adversely.