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Edit: I just want to add that I don't have any employment with a particular company and that has made my situation difficult. I've asked this question as I couldn't find anything specific for self-employed and unmarried. I checked other threads and I followed everything to the T— sufficient bank balance, IT returns, detailed itinerary, bookings, everything. I want to understand what more can I do apart from the usual things (which I did last time).

My tourist visa was recently refused on the grounds of weak ties to home country. I'm 23 years old, female, unmarried, and have a sole proprietorship. I do have business registration papers and I also have hired 2 employees under me. But we work remotely. I have other financial documents like income tax return as well.

But as you see, my profile is a straight no in the eyes of visa officer.

I'm thinking of making my situation better by the end of this year and apply again.

More info: I rent an apartment and don't live with parents. I'm also the guardian of my sister but I don't have any legal papers to show for it. My sister (who's 18) is completely dependent on me but how do I prove this?

I'm also expecting a huge increase in my income by the end of this year so can that help? I honestly have no idea how much money would be enough.

My purpose is strictly tourism and I have zero intention of staying back. I'm just lost as to how do I prove it. Any help would be appreciated.

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  • Does this answer your question? Schengen Visa Application: what are some helpful tips for preparing?
    – Traveller
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 7:06
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    How long has your business been operating? How profitable is it? Where is the ‘huge increase in income’ coming from and is it permanent? What prior travel history do you have? (It’s highly unlikely you’ll get a Schengen visa without one). Is your sister dependent on you financially? If so, you should provide evidence of the funds you give her. If she’s dependent on you for eg personal care, provide medical evidence and/or proof of who would care for her while you’re away. Based on your questions ‘Making your situation better by the end of the year’ just doesn’t seem credible or possible
    – Traveller
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 7:10
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    This is not Business Advise SE, but if you have employees, you really need to look into incorporating as a "real" company, or you risk losing everything you own if something goes wrong. And it'll help with the visa application too.
    – lambshaanxy
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 7:21
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    If your business is incorporated, then you are employed by the corporation and not self-employed. It's not much compared to be being employed by a large corp but it indicates connections to the homeland since you likely paid lawyers and accountants handsomely and on an ongoing basis.
    – Spehro 'speff' Pefhany
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 7:23
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    In India, it means incorporating as a Private Limited company. It makes your life easier, not only for visa.
    – Anish Sheela
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 7:33

1 Answer 1

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Forget about Schengen for a few years. A rapid second application will just get you a second refusal.

In a comment you mentioned that your travel history consists of one visit to Dubai. You are very unlikely to get a Schengen visa (or a US visa, or the UK, or any other comparable destination) without being able to show a much better record of having travelled outside of and returned to your country.

In the meantime, keep paperwork for every major aspect of your life, including regular financial support for your sister and invoices/receipts for ad hoc expenses. You might also consider incorporating your sole proprietorship into a Private Limited company, as has been suggested in several comments.

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    I really appreciate your answer and all the help. Thank you so much. It was just the dream of seeing the Northern lights that kind of made it rushed in my mind. But I understand and would explore other places + keep documents of everything. Thanks again!
    – Traveler
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 7:37
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    Asked by @Traveler and answered by Traveller :) . At 23 you are still very young so you have a lot of time. You could travel to places that have easier visa policies like South East Asia, Hong Kong etc. Even Japan visa is relatively easier to get these days and it lets you into a few other countries visa-free.
    – hojusaram
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 8:01

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