In the following article, you will find all the answers to your questions about what may result in a denial of your ETIAS application and what you can do if your ETIAS is denied.
In addition, you will receive expert guidance on how to get your ETIAS approved and what options are available if your application has been denied.
ETIAS Visa Waiver Rejection Causes
ETIAS is being implemented to assist EU authorities in better comprehending visa-exempt visitors, thereby enhancing the region’s security. For this reason, every application is screened against multiple security databases to ensure that applicants do not threaten the health or safety of Schengen countries and their citizens.
When applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation, it is essential to adhere to the straightforward application instructions meticulously.
If your application for an ETIAS or Schengen visa was denied, it is likely because you needed to submit more information or documents. This list may assist you in understanding the most common causes of ETIAS application failure or visa-waiver denial.
Incomplete, Insufficient, or Inconsistent Data
An ETIAS application could be denied if the applicant fails to provide all the required information. Also, grounds for ETIAS denial are typos or ostensibly minor discrepancies between the information on the passport and the information submitted for the visa exemption request.
ETIAS applicants must possess a passport issued by a qualifying country with at least three months of validity beyond their anticipated departure date from your destination country. Passports issued by ineligible nations will not be accepted for ETIAS applications.
Also likely to result in an ETIAS denial are passports belonging to eligible citizens that have expired or will expire during their intended stay in their destination country.
Fraudulent documentation or information
Citizens who misrepresent their identity and use forged, stolen, or altered documents will have their ETIAS visa exemption request denied. This may occur if their application is cross-referenced with eu-Lisa security databases such as EURODAC, VIS, Europol, and Interpol.
ETIAS can also be denied if a passenger arrives at an Italian entry port with fraudulent or misleading documents, resulting in the authorities refusing the passenger entry into the country.
Criminal Record
If an applicant is deemed a threat to the safety and security of the destination country, the remainder of the Schengen Area, or its residents, regardless of any ties to criminal organisations or actions in the past, they are likely to be denied an ETIAS visa waiver.
Your Passport Is Null and Void
Your application will only be allowed if you use a passport marked as lost or stolen, misappropriated, or invalidated in SIS II. Additionally, your travel document needs to be valid for at least three months after your departure date and in good physical condition.
You Are Regarded as a “Risk”
During the ETIAS application process, your criminal history will be reviewed. However, this does not preclude you from applying for ETIAS if you have previously committed a minor offence. Individuals regarded as a current threat to international security are exempt from this rule.
You Have a SIS Warning
Your ETIAS application will be denied if the Schengen Information System (SIS) contains an alert about you. During the application examination, the ETIAS Central System will determine if there is an alert for you in SIS, such as for refusing entry and stay, missing persons, discreet checks, or specific checks, or if you are seeking surrender.
Your information is not valid.
A travel authorisation is only allowed at the time of application; there are reasonable and serious doubts as to the accuracy of the data, the veracity of the applicant’s statements or the supporting documents provided by the applicant.
What Options Do You Have If Your ETIAS Is Refused?
Within minutes of applying, you will receive an email response regarding the status of your ETIAS. If the proposal is accepted, congratulations! However, if you do, you will receive a denial message. In the denial message, you will also be given why your ETIAS application was denied.
When receiving a notification of a rejected ETIAS application via the email service, you will also be notified of the possibility and procedures to file an appeal, including how to file an appeal for your case, the time limit for filing an appeal, and any assistance the national data protection authority may provide.
You may appeal this decision, or you may modify your application and reapply based on the reason for denial. Every applicant whose ETIAS travel authorisation request is denied has the right to appeal the decision, provided he or she has evidence that the decision was made in error or unjustly.
How to Ensure Your ETIAS Application Is Not Rejected?
Obtaining ETIAS approval can be simple. Your ETIAS application will be approved if you satisfy the requirements for obtaining a travel authorisation. For instance, when filling out your ETIAS application, double-check the provided information, answer any questions truthfully, fill in all questions, and stay within your visa.
Rejected ETIAS Applicants Are Not Required to Apply for a Schengen Visa Immediately
It was previously reported that travellers whose applications are denied in the future will be required to register for a Schengen visa; however, this is not the case.
A previous denial of a travel authorisation shall not automatically result in the denial of a new application, as the new application shall be evaluated based on all available information.
Those whose ETIAS applications are rejected due to a SIS alert or because the applicant poses a high risk to the EU are exempt from this rule. In such instances, the traveller should contact the embassy of the country whose ETIAS Central Unit rejected his/her application or the embassy of the member country that issued the SIS alert.
Applicants whose second ETIAS application is denied for reasons other than those listed above must contact the embassy of the country whose ETIAS Central Unit denied their application for further instructions.
Expert Counsel to Ensure Your ETIAS Application Is Accepted
Before submitting your application for an approved ETIAS, it is recommended that you double-check all of the information you have entered into the form.
Please correct simple mistakes, such as inadvertently transcribing one letter instead of another in your name or omitting a digit from your passport number, which may result in the denial of your ETIAS application.
In addition, ensure that your travel documents are valid and current. If there is a problem with your application that requires you to submit photocopies or a scanned image of the bio page of your passport, ensure that they have not been digitally altered in any way