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Context:

I am a Chinese passport holder living in the US with a green card. in 2018, I applied for a Schengen Visa from the Spanish Consulate and was approved for about a month. I initially intended to go to Spain but had some last minute change of itinerary so ended up going to Italy, not Spain at all.

This year, I applied for another Schengen Visa with Multiple entries from the Spanish Consulate in the US for two separate trips:

  1. Trip #1: to go to a wedding in Spain in late June for 5 days; then come back to the US for a month
  2. Trip #2: to go to Belgium in late July for 4 days;

During the application, the Spanish Consulate saw that I did not enter Spain last year and was only visiting Italy. The consulate said I was not being truthful and reliable with them last time, and proceeded to deny my visa for the following reason -

  1. The information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not reliable.

I was confused because I thought plan change after a Visa was approved is okay, thinking isn't that the whole point of getting a Schengen Visa vs a country-specific visa.

Question

I would like to get advice on what to do after my Schengen Visa denial. It seems like I have three options:

  1. Abandon both trip #1 and trip #2; only apply after 6 months and prepare an explanation for the incident; There is little chance my application in the near term will be considered
  2. Abandon trip #1 but pursue trip #2 at the Belgian Consulate - be truthful about the situation with the Spanish Consulate and let them know about the reason why trip #1 was denied.
  3. Repeal/re-apply for both trip #1 and #2

Other Info

The Consulate in fact called me to let me know why my visa is denied. My friend, out of despair, wrote them a letter hoping they could consider. I attached an apology letter explaining situation and thought process from last year. But this proved to be no avail.

I go to Europe a lot - having traveled to Europe extensively in the past 5 years with 5 different Schengen visa. I am so scared that I am now on a travel ban, by all the Schengen member states. I don't know what I would do to overcome this setback.

Part of me is really upset at myself but also at the process. I wish I spent more time perusing the rules and regulations, but I did not. I actually googled this forum to see if it is okay to change plan after visa was issued and saw a post saying that is okay.

UPDATE: I spoke with the Consulate when I picked up my passport; the woman said I can re-apply only after 6 months at this Consulate, but for other consulate I can re-apply whenever. I think it is fairly obvious that I am no longer able to go to Spain for the wedding, but possible for another Europe trip in the summer.

user98461
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Patrickin1shot
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  • This question already has an answer here: Schengen visa denied because of fake bank statement – Augustine of Hippo Jun 04 '19 at 02:36
  • Schengen does not have a ban which is binding on all members so that’s a good thing. Secondly Spain did not ban you, they would have told you with paperwork if there was a ban. But you are in the system so all Schengen consulates will know you had a refusal from Spain. I don’t know if the reason is annotated in the database however don’t attempt to lie on your next application. Now on to my opinion. If you reapply to Spain again immediately it’s highly unlikely you will be approved. My advice would be wait a while then apply to visit a different Schengen country and tell the truth. – Augustine of Hippo Jun 04 '19 at 02:38
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    What reason was given/ticked on the standard Schengen refusal form? – Augustine of Hippo Jun 04 '19 at 02:42
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    Alternatively if you’re close to USA citizenship and intend to become a citizen, wait until you become a citizen then visit without a visa like I did. See my case https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/87121/recently-naturalized-american-visiting-the-uk-previously-denied-visa-apply-for/89879#89879. So either that, or your option #3. Don’t be too worried, you don’t have ban. – Augustine of Hippo Jun 04 '19 at 02:43
  • It is ok to change plan, but your changes were very substantial. For the second visa, you should have explained why you changed the plans. You know, people should trust you, so if you change opinions often, it is also a proof your opinions are weak. Ev. try with Italian consulate, and go also in Italy (and Spain), to clean up your status. – Giacomo Catenazzi Jun 04 '19 at 12:24
  • @GiacomoCatenazzi It is really because my friends are American and they changed their mind, so I am just following. Could you also explain what do you mean by tryinf with Italian Consulate? and cleaning up my status? – Patrickin1shot Jun 04 '19 at 17:48
  • @user56513 thank you so much for the help. I am not becoming a citizen in the near term yet...and also I just attached my reason for refusal. I am thinking of applying again in July to Europe, missing my friend's wedding in Spain. I don't know if that is still too soon - when I asked the consulate in Spain, they said the only restriction is to apply at their consulate - I am unable to for the next 6 months, but other consulates I should be okay. – Patrickin1shot Jun 04 '19 at 17:50
  • Cleaning up status means once another Schengen country approves you and you visit without incident, your previous transgressions will be cleaned up, ie cleared. – Augustine of Hippo Jun 04 '19 at 18:11
  • What about changing your plans, arriving (and staying) in a different country for most of the trip? Depending on where in Spain is your friend's marriage, Portugal or France are good choices. You could then, apply for a visa in this different country and, perhaps, be approved. – gmauch Jun 10 '19 at 20:12

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