Schengen Visa: Can I use a recently owned property as a proof of strong ties to host country?

Question

Update: I got my visa.

I am 24 years old and I am from India.

Last year, I planned to visit Graspop Metal in Belgium, and my visa got rejected with an explanation that

Your intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for could not be ascertained.

I do accept, my application was too weak. I didn't prepare well.

This year, I am planning to attend Rock m' Ring in Germany. I have decided to spend a total of 18 days(1 June - 18 June). During my stay in Germany, I plan to visit Frankfurt, Black Forest, Berlin, and Munich. It doesn't include the 4 days for which I'd be at Rock m' Ring.

I'll be applying in April and this what the situation is. By the time I would apply, i'd have;

• Around 5000 euros in my savings account
• Around 3000 euros in investments. These investments come with a lock-in period of 5 years.
• A monthly income of 1115 euros.
• Rock m' Ring Festival ticket, and a camping ticket as well.
• Round trip confirmed flight tickets, Mumbai - Frankfurt.
• Booked accommodation in places that I'd visit.

Apart from that, I currently work for a US-based company as a contractor. I don't have a criminal background of any sort.

However, the issue that seems to cause the trouble is, I don't have any liabilities in India. I am not married, I don't own any property, nor is anyone dependant on me. And as I have searched around on the internet, that seems to be the number one cause of visa rejection.

Although, my mother owns a piece of land and I might be able to get it registered under my name. I told my parents that I need it for the visa purposes and they agreed. However, would it be found suspicious that I'd have a piece of land registered under my name just a month before application? For example, when people spike up their bank balance by transferring huge amounts of money to their bank account, and that is considered a malicious practice.

What can be done about it?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Anything that significantly improves an applicant’s circumstances in the immediate run up to a visa application is likely to be a red flag unless it can be fully and credibly explained. A recent property transfer from a relative without proof that you actually paid anything for it looks exactly like funds-parking, except with property instead of money. That is likely to be a quick route to another refusal.

You are right in saying that lack of ties is a major factor in many refusals, and right to be concerned about this given your previous refusal. However, looking at the positives: you have a job and savings (for which you have supporting evidence in the form of payslips, contract, and bank statements) sufficient to meet the €45 per day minimum; a travel history (limited, but probably in line with expectations for an applicant in your situation); and a credible premise/itinerary for the trip which isn’t going to cost an unrealistic multiplier of your monthly income.

On balance, despite your previous refusal, with a carefully prepared application it looks hopeful this time. I don’t think there’s any more you can do.

Answer 2

I agree property suddenly appearing on your asset sheet would appear as a ruse; especially once they find out it's bare land, and double especially if it appears to be difficult to develop by Indian standards, e.g. Lack of viable public transport to it in a place few own cars. The equivalent in the US would be roadless timberland, or a landlocked parcel with no easements onto the property.

One of my favorite examples is someone who is a classic drifter and has no community ties. Except she is wearing a Taylor Swift T-shirt and has a long string of passport stamps that conform exactly to Taylor Swift's world tour schedule exactly, with a fortune in onward travel already booked to future tour stops. And a phone with photos from over 200 concerts. Yeah, immigration can be sure she won't overstay.

For you, a history of going to metal (?) shows and then leaving as agreed, will help.

A big strike against you is the highly mobile, gypsy-like nature of telecommuting employment, in the absence of any other ties to India. And I know (from comments) that your job isn't that telecommutable, but immigration doesn't know that! Your skill does telecommute well, which makes it easy to get work beyond the reach of EU employment law. So it's really hard to be sure you won't take up residence in a local coffee shop and never leave.

One thing that helps is, don't bring your tools-of-trade, e.g. Your laptop. Arrive wholly unprepared to work. That can be a bit scary, I know!