Maxi-Pedia Forum

Hi,

Today my application was refused stating the reason as "Incomplete proof of accomodation" inspite i have submitted all the hotel booking vouchers along with my application form to VFS here in Bangalore , India. Approaching the embassy also did not help to provide any details except mere arrogance.

What could be done in such situations ? appeal is the only option ?

please advice.

Cheers,
Anand 

VFS is a commercial company working in partnership with some governments to provide visa application services. Your application could have been denied either because the embassy has not found it sound enough, or because some of your documentation was missed somewhere on the way between you and the embassy. To file an appeal is one option if you have enough time. Some have luck with another option which would be applying for visa to some other Schengen country.

In any case, VFS is not mandatory for Schengen visa. Visa applicants are entitled to a direct application at the Schengen embassy in question. Some embassies seem to promote the use of an external service provider, but this can not be required. You can always contact the embassy directly. Per rticle 17 of EU Regulation 810/2009, embassies are required to give an applicant a choice between a direct application and using a service provider (such as VFS).

"Direct access: Maintaining the possibility for visa applicants to lodge their applications directly at the
consulate instead of via an external service provider implies that there should be Maintaining the possibility for visa applicants to lodge their applications directly at the consulate instead of via an external service provider implies that there should be a genuine choice between these two possibilities. Even if direct access does not have to be organised under identical or similar conditions to those for access to the service provider, the conditions should not make direct access impossible in practice. Even if it is acceptable to have a different waiting time for obtaining an appointment in the case of direct access, the waiting time should not be so long that it would render direct access impossible in practice. The different options available for lodging a visa application should be presented plainly to the public, including clear information both on the choice and the cost of the additional services of the external service provider."

By the way, if you need it:

Australian High Commission
1/50 G Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Telephone: +91-11-4139 9900
Fax: +91-11-4149 4490

Appeal (it's free) and  make sure they can see you have a booking for accomodation. Are you sure it's the only reason for rejection? Do they not question if your trip is affordable (sufficient funds per day) etc? Double check all that and add any additional evidence and a motivational letter. Good luck!

Indeed Yaris, VFS is entirely optional. If the embassy itself is just as easy/difficult to travel to (distance wise), try to make the application and appeal there. Embassy staff may be more experienced with answering questions and they have less motivation to try and rid you off some extra money via "prenium serives" etc.

Correct. :)