QnA Schengen Visa
Are the visa application fees refunded if my application is denied?
Outbound Team
No — Schengen visa fees are not refunded, even if your application is denied. This rule applies to all Schengen countries and all visa types.
The reason is simple: the fee covers the processing cost, not the approval. Once the embassy has reviewed your file, the fee is considered used, regardless of the outcome.
Here’s what you need to know 👇
💳 1. Embassy visa fees are non-refundable
The standard €90 fee (from 2024 onwards) is never refunded, even if your visa is:
• Refused
• Withdrawn
• Submitted with missing documents
• Not processed in time for your travel
This is standard policy across the entire Schengen zone.
🏢 2. VFS/TLS service fees are also non-refundable
Visa Application Centers charge service fees for:
• Document handling
• Biometric collection
• Appointment management
• SMS/email updates
These fees are also non-refundable.
🧾 3. You must pay again if you reapply
A second application requires payment of:
• Another embassy visa fee, and
• Another service fee
This is why strengthening your application before resubmitting is crucial.
💡 Outbound Singapore Tip:
To avoid losing money on repeated applications, we help you prepare:
• Stronger documents
• Clearer proof of purpose
• Better financial evidence
• A professional cover letter
Our goal is to get your application right the first time — or fix the weaknesses after a refusal.