Despite providing all necessary documentation, many Indian tourists regularly complain about their visas being denied, and social media posts frequently draw attention to the problem.
Visa Denials Cost Indians ₹662 crore
Visa denials for Indian tourists increased in December 2024, particularly for the United Arab Emirates, which has historically welcomed tourists but has imposed more stringent regulations.
Between January and October 2024, the UAE accounted for 24.8% of Indian outbound travel; however, visa denials increased as Dubai’s emigration department tightened its regulations.
Since the pandemic, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Schengen nations have seen an increase in the number of visa rejections. The situation might get worse if India’s ranking in the Henley Passport Index declines from 80th to 85th in 2025.
In 2024, Indian tourists lost as much as ₹662 crore as a result of numerous nations refusing their visas.
Rejection Rates and Financial Losses
Rejection rates by country in the latest 12-month period:
- New Zealand: 32.45% (up by 20 percentage points from pre-pandemic levels)
- Australia: 30% (increase of 14 pp)
- UK: 17% (increase of 6 pp)
- US: 16.32% (decrease of 11 pp)
- Schengen area: 15.7% (increase of 5 pp)
Financial losses incurred by Indian visa applicants in 2024:
- Australia: ₹93 crore (115,757 rejections)
- New Zealand: ₹72 crore (33,714 rejections)
- UK: ₹116 crore (estimated loss due to 17% rejection rate)
- US: ₹257 crore (160,958 rejections)
- Schengen: ₹124 crore (151,752 rejections)
Refusals of visas frequently result in additional financial losses because countries demand pre-purchased lodging, travel insurance, and possibly non-refundable airline tickets. When a Delhi tourist’s Schengen visa was rejected, he lost ₹3.5 lakh.
Even though the US is adding one million visa appointment slots by 2025, applicants still have to wait a long time—B1/B2 visa processing in India takes more than 400 days.
Causes of the increase in visa denials:
- Greater application volumes compared to those before the pandemic
- More stringent requirements for financial proof to make sure candidates can pay their bills
- Tighter immigration laws to stop tourist visa abuse
- Policy changes include Canada suspending its 10-year multiple-entry visa and the United Arab Emirates requiring visitors to have AED 5,000 in their bank accounts.
The cost of a Schengen visa increased by 12% in June 2024 (adults: €90, children: €45), as has the case in many other countries. The cost of a tourist visa in New Zealand increased from NZD 119 to NZD 188.
In 2024, 25 million Indians traveled overseas between January and October, representing an 8.5% increase in outbound travel. This increase has been facilitated by easier access to travel loans.
