Visa Rejection: Do you know how much money Indians are losing due to visa rejection?

Loss due to visa rejection: Last month, UAE had rejected the visa applications of many Indian travelers. This matter created a stir on social media. A major debate has erupted over the massive rejection of visa applications by Indians in the UAE, considered the friendliest country for Indian travellers. One in four people who left India between January and October last year went to UAE.

Many countries..

Many developed countries have released visa application data. The UK, Australia, New Zealand and countries in the Schengen area have seen an increase in visitor visa rejection rates following the Covid pandemic. Indians have also suffered huge economic losses due to denial of visas by these countries. Indians suffered a loss of around Rs 664 crore last year due to visa rejections.

More in New Zealand and Australia.

Over the last 12 months, out of every 100 applications in New Zealand, 33 in Australia, 16 in the US and 17 in the UK were rejected. The rejection rate in the countries of the Schengen area is 16% in 2023. Compared to rejection rates in 2019, 20 percent in New Zealand, 14 percent in Australia. 6% in the UK and 5% in the EU. In the US alone, rejection rates have dropped by 11 percent.

huge financial loss

Many countries reject visa applications, causing unnecessary financial burden on people. It’s like spending money on trips that don’t happen. In most cases, the refundable nature of the visa application fee increases the financial burden on applicants. The biggest loss in the case of the United States was due to rejection of visa applications. Indians suffered the maximum loss of Rs 271 crore due to rejection of American visa applications. But the US has opened more visa appointment slots at its consulates in India to clear the backlog. However, waiting for interviews has become a problem for Indians. In the case of Australia, Schengen Area countries and the UK, the loss was Rs 123 crore, Rs 122 crore and Rs 116 crore, respectively.

Reasons for visa refusal

There are various reasons for the increase in visa rejections. In the post-Corona era, the visa processing system has been affected due to more applications than pre-Corona levels. On the other hand, many countries have made visa rules more stringent. Many countries have implemented strict immigration checks and procedures for tourist visas to prevent abuses by travelers who enter the country on tourist visas, overstay their eligibility, and try to find a job.

Return ticket, proof of residence

For example, last year, the UAE made it mandatory for its visitors to have at least Rs 5,000 in their bank account, a return ticket and proof of accommodation. Similarly, Canada has stopped issuing 10-year multiple-entry tourist visas in November 2024. Bali, a popular foreign tourist destination for Indians, has also introduced several rules, including jail terms for those violating tourist visa rules. Countries like the UK (October 2023), EU (June 2024) and New Zealand have drastically increased tourist visa fees last year. On the other hand, the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar has also increased the cost of travel.

Travel has also increased

India’s outbound tourism industry has started booming after the Corona pandemic, with many new destinations emerging as major attractions. The number of foreign tourists has increased. According to Tourism Ministry data, about 25 million Indians traveled abroad between January and October 2024. The number of trips increases during holidays. The number of people taking loans for travels has also increased. The Paysabazaar survey revealed that 21 percent of those who took a personal loan (Personal Loan Tips) did so for travel.