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Hi everyone,

I recently got my first Spain Schengen visa application refused from Mumbai consulate under reason 10:

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I’m trying to understand what exactly may have caused this refusal and what I should improve before reapplying.

Here’s my profile:

• Indian applicant
• Working professional at Microsoft (~2 years)
• Valid 10-year US visa
• Bank balance above INR 2.5 lakhs
• Employment documents, leave approval, ITR, salary slips, insurance etc. were submitted

For the previous application:

• I selected “hotel accommodation” in the application
• I submitted hotel bookings from Booking.com
• hotels were decent and centrally located
• but they were unpaid/pay-later reservations

So now I’m confused about what the best approach is:

• shorten trip duration
• use prepaid hotels
• add attraction bookings
• improve itinerary further

For people experienced with Spain visas:

1. What do you think most likely caused this refusal?
2. Are unpaid Booking.com reservations viewed negatively by Spain?
3. Does Spain scrutinize first-time Schengen applicants more strictly?
4. What would you improve if you were reapplying?

Would really appreciate honest advice.

https://preview.redd.it/bad8h18l8b0h1.png?width=1206&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9b1a63fda61e30edeec035a2d1497e4e10520e6

https://preview.redd.it/np9cb17l8b0h1.png?width=1206&format=png&auto=webp&s=35712ddd0411494736be1dab79c883beef96f6dc

Hi everyone,

I’m from India and applying for a Spain Schengen tourist visa. I already have a valid 10-year US visa, but this was my first Schengen application.

My first application was refused under:
“Purpose and conditions of intended stay were not reliable.”

For my previous application:

• I selected hotel accommodation in the application
• I submitted hotel bookings through Booking.com
• the hotels were decent and centrally located
• but they did NOT require prepayment

At that time, I did NOT mention staying with friends.

In reality, one of the main reasons for visiting Spain is to meet two Spanish friends who were exchange students at my college and currently live in Spain. But I avoided the “staying with friends/family” route because Spain’s invitation letter process (“Carta de Invitación”) looked lengthy and complicated.

Now, for my new appointment on 20 May, I applied using the “staying with friends/family” option instead.

I have asked my friends to obtain the Carta de Invitación for me, but we realized the process is much more complicated than expected. Right now, even getting an appointment with the Spanish police is something they are struggling with. They also mentioned that after the appointment there is additional processing time involved.

On top of that, I’ve read in some places that a physical original copy of the invitation letter may be required in India, meaning they would have to courier it to me internationally as well.

So now I’m confused whether I should:

1. proceed with the current application
2. postpone the appointment and wait for the invitation letter
3. cancel this application and apply again using hotel accommodation instead
4. strengthen the tourism itinerary further

Other than that:

• I’m a working professional at Microsoft with ~2 years of experience
• bank balance was above INR 2.5 lakhs
• employment documents submitted
• valid US visa included

I’m also attaching screenshots of the documents I carried for the application.

This time I’m considering:

• better/prepaid hotel bookings
• attraction tickets
• more detailed itinerary
• additional proof of assets (vehicle registration etc.)

Has anyone here successfully obtained a Spain visa from India using only hotel bookings and no invitation letter?

Would appreciate any advice.