Got asked for an NOC from Husband by Italy Consulate !
I am a married and employed woman from India who was planning to travel solo to Italy for a week before my 30th birthday. I have had 2 Schengen visas approved before, so I was not worried when I was applying for my third, this time via Italy. I had read lots of reddit posts on how it can get delayed, so applied well in advance. But as 1 month since document submission passed I started getting antsy and kept calling vfs and emailing consulate to follow up.
One fine day I get a call from the consulate asking for some additional documents (I was relieved at this point because this meant my candidature was still in consideration). The guy said to share Salary account statements (I have a dormant salary account from which I transfer money immediately after pay-day to my main account whose 6 months statement I had already submitted.)I explained that I did this so you can see proof of funds, I shared the account that has maximum funds, you can see every payday there is credit of salary from another account; he insisted I also share the other account which was totally doable to I said, yeah sure!
Then he asked so I see your spouse name on your passport, why is he not travelling with you? I was taken aback! went on to explain that it is sort of a girls trip, I have some friends in Italy, I will meet up with them and travel. Mind you, I have submitted a cover letter, employer NOC, leave sanction letter, 3 month payslips, everything one would need to establish my credibility of being able to self sponsor this trip. The visa officer went ahead and asked while you are submitting your new account statement and an extra month of latest payslip can you also share an NOC from your HUSBAND!!?? I laughed, because surely he was joking. HE WAS NOT! he said oh, we just want to confirm your husband is aware of your trip and your intention to return.
Has this happened to anyyybodyyy ever? I am totally shook. I got the visa 2 days after I submitted the additional documents (yes, a signed letter from my husband consenting to my trip), and had a really nice time in Italy but this little anecdote has stayed with me.
Is this normal? Would a married man had been asked for his wife's NOC? weird weird weird, unfair and weird..