Schengen visa question: Application Short Stay Visa rejected

Dear Editor/Rob V.,

The visa application for my girlfriend for a short stay in the Netherlands has been rejected on the basis of the risk that she will not return to the Netherlands in time. The embassy assumes bad intentions as standard, I think.

She has no job or money but takes care of her old mother in her own home and regularly babysits her sister's baby. I also support her.

In addition to the Schengen application form, the visa application contained insurance from OOM for 3 months. Itinerary, letter of guarantee, home title deed, bank statements from my account, copies of old passport.

How am I going to prove that the visit is just for a few months vacation? I regularly travel to her in Thailand and we have known each other for 5 years now.

Does anyone know a solution?

Dear questioner,

The best thing you can do is file an appeal. A new application is also possible, but this can also be easily settled with a reference to the previous application and the comment that the situation has not really changed. Reading what you have enclosed in the application, I suspect that the case decision officer probably tripped over the following:

• The average tourist does not come for 90 days, most people can only leave for a few weeks at the most and in Thailand many employees even have to do with vacations of a few days. Someone without work can of course go longer, but due to a lack of a job they have less ties with Thailand and therefore less reason to return. This increases the chance that someone would try to work abroad (illegally) or fall for the sweet words of a people smuggler. The Netherlands tries to combat illegal labor and human smuggling, so people prefer not to take any risks here.

Realize that the decision officer does not know the two of you, and must therefore estimate who you are, what you want and what the risks are based on the paperwork in front of him/her. Now your pieces of evidence are certainly not bad, but I would also add the following (in the objection or the new application):

• An accompanying letter from you and/or her in which you briefly explain (maximum 1 side) who you are, what you roughly intend to do (a whole day-to-day itinerary is not necessary) and that you are aware of the rules and there are will see to it that she will return in time. This way the decision official can get an idea of ​​who it is and what your plans are.
• You can also mention the concrete reasons why she will go back, for example also mention the baby and add some evidence/substantiation to the points. A document, photo, etc. This makes it clear that there are several reasons for returning and these are not made up, but can be checked.
• Explain why 3 months was chosen and not a short vacation. For example: in the coming months she will not be looking for work in Thailand (and certainly not in Europe!) and that is why a long stay together in the Netherlands seemed the most logical to us.
• Explain that you have already seen each other several times in Thailand (refer to the stamps in the passports). Otherwise, briefly explain how she can make ends meet if she has no job, because the civil servant may see that as strange…

These are just a few points that come to mind, but try to paint a better picture yourself for the decision officer so that he can make a more well-considered decision on well-founded grounds. If you think you can't do this alone, be sure to consult an immigration lawyer (Google one online or in your area).

Normally something like 90% or more of the Thai applicants from the Netherlands receive a visa, so you certainly don't stand a chance!

Good luck,

Rob V