What can you do after a Schengen visa refusal?
First read the refusal form: the embassy ticks the reasons on a standard EU form. Then choose one of two routes. You can apply again with a stronger file, which is allowed straight away and is usually the fastest. Or you can appeal within the deadline: 30 days for Belgium and France, 4 weeks for the Netherlands, 60 days for Italy (through a lawyer). The visa fee is not refunded in either case.
Spoyzy in Bangkok reviews refusal letters and prepares a stronger new file.
A refusal is stressful, especially when a partner or family is waiting in Europe. The good news: a refusal is a decision on one application, not a ban. This guide explains how to read the refusal, how to decide between appealing and applying again, and the official appeal rules for the four countries Thai visitors apply to most.
In short
- The refusal form lists the reasons with ticked boxes; this tells you exactly what to fix
- You can submit a new application at any time, with a new fee and a new appointment
- An appeal has a strict deadline and reviews the same file; it usually takes longer than a new application
- Appeal deadlines: Belgium 30 days, France 30 days (in French), Netherlands 4 weeks, Italy 60 days (lawyer needed)
- Visa fees and visa centre fees are never refunded
- Your refusal stays on record in the EU visa system, so the next file must answer the reasons clearly
Why couples and families choose Spoyzy after a refusal
- We read the refusal with you and explain each reason in plain Thai, English, French or Dutch
- We know what each embassy in Bangkok expects, and what the host in Europe must prepare
- We rebuild the file so that every reason on the refusal form is answered with proof
- Rated 5.0 ★ on Google
1. Read the refusal form first
Every Schengen country uses the same standard refusal form from the EU Visa Code. The embassy ticks one or more reasons. These are the ones we see most often for Thai visitors, what they usually mean, and how to fix them.
| Reason on the form | What it usually means | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose and conditions of the stay not justified | The plan was unclear: missing invitation, bookings or itinerary that do not match | A clear day-by-day plan, an invitation letter and bookings with the same dates |
| Reasonable doubts about your intention to leave | The embassy was not convinced you will come back to Thailand | Proof of ties: employment letter with approved leave, business registration, property, family, studies |
| No proof of sufficient means | Bank statements too low, too short or irregular | 3 to 6 months of statements, or a sponsor form from the host; explain any large recent deposit |
| Information not reliable | Dates, names or addresses did not match between the form, the letters and the documents | Check that every document tells the same story |
| Doubts about the documents | Unclear copies, missing originals or unofficial translations | Clear originals and certified translations |
| No valid travel medical insurance | Cover too low, wrong dates or not valid in all Schengen countries | Insurance of at least €30,000, for the whole trip and the whole Schengen area |
| Already 90 days in the last 180 | The planned trip goes over the 90/180-day limit | Change the dates so the total stays within 90 days |
| Alert in the Schengen Information System, or a threat to public order | A serious entry ban or security reason | Get legal advice before you apply again |
Tip from our cases: keep the refusal letter and the full copy of the file you submitted. Comparing the two is the fastest way to see what the embassy did not find.
Source: EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), Annex VI, standard form for refusing a visa.
2. Apply again or appeal?
| New application | Appeal | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Any time, even right after the refusal | Only within the deadline on the refusal |
| What is checked | Your new, improved file | Whether the decision on the old file was right |
| Cost | New visa fee and visa centre fee | No new visa fee; lawyer costs if you use one (required in Italy) |
| Time | Usually about 15 days, up to 45 | Usually several months |
| Best when | The refusal was about missing or weak documents, or you need to travel soon | You believe the decision is wrong and the trip can wait |
When the refusal is about missing or weak proof, a new, stronger application is usually faster than an appeal. When you sent everything and the decision still looks wrong, an appeal can make sense.
3. Appeal deadlines by country
| Country | Where to appeal | Deadline | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Council for Alien Law Litigation (CCE / RvV), Brussels, by registered post | 30 days from the decision | The Immigration Office decides, not the embassy. The reasons are sent by post to the applicant only, not to the host by phone or email |
| France | Deputy Director of Visas, Nantes (BP 83609, 44036 Nantes Cedex 01), by post, written in French and signed | 30 days | This step is required before any court case. No answer within 2 months counts as a refusal |
| Netherlands | Objection to the IND, in writing | 4 weeks from the date on the decision | For a family or friends visit, the sponsor in the Netherlands can object online for you |
| Italy | Regional administrative court of Lazio (TAR Lazio), through a lawyer | 60 days from receiving the refusal | A refusal is final for that application; you can also submit a new one |
Applying to another Schengen country? Its deadline and appeal address are written on your refusal form.
Sources: Embassy of Belgium in Thailand, “Refusal and possibility of appeal”; France-Visas FAQ, “What to do in case of refusal?”; Netherlands Worldwide, “Objecting to the decision to refuse your visa application”; Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa FAQ.
4. How to apply again with a stronger file
- List every reason ticked on the refusal form
- Answer each reason with proof, not with explanations alone (see the table in section 1)
- Make everything consistent: dates, names, addresses and amounts must match on the form, the invitation, the bookings and the bank statements
- Add a short cover letter that says what has changed since the refusal
- Be honest about the refusal: the embassy can see your previous application in the EU visa system
- Book a new appointment and apply at least 15 days before travel, ideally 6 to 8 weeks before
5. Common mistakes after a refusal
- Applying again within days with exactly the same documents
- Hiding the refusal or giving different answers than the first time
- Adding a large deposit to the bank account just before applying, without explaining where it came from
- Buying non-refundable flights before the new visa is issued
- Missing the appeal deadline while waiting for an answer by phone or email
- Writing the French appeal in English, or not signing it
6. How Spoyzy can help
- Refusal letter review: we explain what went wrong and give you a plan to apply again (online, fixed price, see our online services)
- Full new application: document list, form, cover letter, translations, appointment and a final check of the file
- Help for the host in Europe: invitation letter and sponsor form
Read also: Schengen visa from Thailand: complete guide, Invitation letter for a Schengen visa and Online visa services
Send us your refusal letter
Send a photo of the refusal form on WhatsApp, with the country and your travel dates. We will tell you the best next step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply again right after a Schengen visa refusal?
Yes. There is no waiting period. You can submit a new application straight away, but it only makes sense once you have fixed the reasons on the refusal form.
Is the visa fee refunded after a refusal?
No. The visa fee and the visa centre service fee are not refunded, and a new application means paying them again.
How long do I have to appeal?
It depends on the country: 30 days for Belgium and France, 4 weeks for the Netherlands and 60 days for Italy. The exact deadline is written on your refusal letter.
Can my partner in Europe appeal for me?
For the Netherlands, a sponsor can object online for a family or friends visit. For Belgium, the reasons are only sent to the applicant, so the applicant should share the letter with the host.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal?
For Italy, yes: the appeal goes to the TAR Lazio through a lawyer. For Belgium, France and the Netherlands, you can write the appeal yourself, but legal advice helps if the case goes to court.
Does a refusal stay on my record?
Yes. Applications and decisions are stored in the EU visa system, and embassies see them when you apply again. A clear, honest new file is the best answer.
Will a Schengen refusal affect a UK or US visa?
Some application forms, like the UK form, ask whether you have ever been refused a visa. Always answer honestly; a well-explained refusal is less of a problem than a hidden one.
How long does a new application take?
Usually about 15 days after the appointment, and up to 45 days when more checks are needed.
Sources (checked 25 October 2026): EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Annex VI; Embassy of Belgium in Thailand, “Refusal and possibility of appeal”; France-Visas, FAQ “What to do in case of refusal?”; Netherlands Worldwide, “Objecting to the decision to refuse your visa application”; Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa FAQ (appeal to TAR Lazio).
Written by Poy, founder of Spoyzy
Poy has handled 200+ visa cases, 150+ marriages and 800+ document legalisations for Thai–foreign couples and families. Poy speaks Thai, French and English (and a little Dutch), and explains every document to both partners in their own language.
Ask Poy on WhatsAppLast updated: October 2026
