A Schengen refusal arrives as a form with boxes ticked. This page shows you the boxes, in the Visa Code wording, and lets you see which of them your application has not answered yet.
a false, counterfeit or forged travel document was presented
What the officer assesses: Whether the travel document itself is genuine.
the applicant has presented a travel document which is false, counterfeit or forged;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 1
you have not provided justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay
What the officer assesses: Whether the documents explain what you are going to do, where you will stay, and on what terms.
justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provided;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 2
the competent authorities of a Member State cannot refuse, following the examination of an application for a uniform visa, to issue such a visa to an applicant unless one of the grounds for refusal of a visa listed in those provisions can be applied to that applicant.
Rahmanian Koushkaki v Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Case C-84/12), Judgment, paragraph 63
Evidence that addresses it
you have not provided proof of sufficient means of subsistence, for the duration of the intended stay or for the return to the country of origin or residence
What the officer assesses: Whether you can pay for the stay at the member state's published daily rate, and get home.
the applicant did not provide proof of sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to his country of origin or residence, or for the transit to a third country into which he is certain to be admitted;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 3
(a) recent bank account statements showing movements over a certain period (at least the last three months)
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 5.2.2
Evidence that addresses it
you have already stayed for 90 days during the current 180-day period on the territory of the Member States on the basis of a uniform visa or a visa with limited territorial validity
What the officer assesses: Arithmetic on your entry and exit stamps.
the applicant has already stayed for 90 days during the current 180-day period on the territory of the Member States on the basis of a uniform visa or a visa with limited territorial validity;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 5
Evidence that addresses it
an alert has been issued in the Schengen Information System (SIS) for the purpose of refusing entry
What the officer assesses: Whether a member state has entered an alert against you.
the applicant is a person for whom an alert has been issued in the SIS for the purpose of refusing entry;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 6
one or more Member States consider you to be a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the international relations of one or more of the Member States
What the officer assesses: Security and public policy records held by the member states.
the applicant is considered to be a threat to public policy or internal security by one or more Member States;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 7
the applicant is considered to be a threat to public health of one or more Member States;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 8
the applicant is considered to be a threat to the international relations of one or more
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 9
proof of holding adequate and valid travel medical insurance was not provided
What the officer assesses: Whether the policy covers the whole stay, the whole Schengen area, and at least EUR 30,000 for medical repatriation and emergency care.
does not provide proof of holding adequate and valid travel medical insurance, where applicable.
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 15
The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000.
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 5.3.2
Evidence that addresses it
the information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable
What the officer assesses: Whether the consulate believes the documents and the statements. Reasonable doubts as to the authenticity of supporting documents or the veracity of their contents sit here.
the information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 10
there are reasonable doubts as to the reliability or as to the authenticity of the supporting documents submitted or as to the veracity of their contents;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 12
Evidence that addresses it
your intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa could not be ascertained
What the officer assesses: Whether your circumstances at home give the consulate a reason to be sure you will go back.
there are reasonable doubts as to the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa;
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Point 11.1, refusal ground 13
The assessment of the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the Member State before the expiry of the visa depends mainly on the stability of his/her socio-economic situation in his/her country of residence: stability of the employment, of the financial situation, of the family ties.
Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas, Part II, point 5.2, documentation on the intention to leave
There is thus no requirement that the competent authorities must, in order to determine whether they are required to issue a visa, be certain as regards whether or not the applicant intends to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for. It is, however, their task to determine whether there is a reasonable doubt as regards that intention.
Rahmanian Koushkaki v Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Case C-84/12), Judgment, paragraph 68
Evidence that addresses it
The refusal is given on the standard form in Annex VI of the Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009. The ticked boxes are the grounds. The appeal route, its authority and its deadline are printed on that form and the printed version governs.
A Schengen refusal arrives as a form with boxes ticked. This page shows you the boxes, in the Visa Code wording, and lets you see which of them your application has not answered yet.
Start your checkOr get the free checklist of the evidence for each ground, as a PDF.