I would like to know what are the factors an embassy (from any Schengen country, in my case France) takes into consideration while granting the duration of Schengen Visa.
I have applied for Schengen Visa (multiple entry) for the first time (with the French Embassy) last year and I got just for 6 months while all my friends who applied along with me for the first time got for a year.
I again applied for the same Schengen Visa (multiple entry) for the second time this year and I got only for 4 months while my other friend who applied along with me has got for a year.
I'm confused why it happens.
When I was applying second time (with French Embassy) , I did write acover letter mentioning that I have trip plans to France till the end of next summer and I had requested for longer duration of Schengen Visa but in turn I got lesser period of stay than last time. It's disappointing.
I'm trying to understand why it happens? because I'm intending to apply one more Schengen visa for next year summer.
Is it possible that I can appeal with French embassy to extend my duration of Schengen Visa?
Can anyone suggest me a country for which I could get a longer duration of Schengen Visa next time?
PS: I'm happy with duration of stay which is 90 days But my question is more about duration of Visa Validity.