I am a single, young Iranian applicant for Schengen Visa at German Embassy. I have a friend in Germany who is married, female and older than me. We established a strong friendship and she sent me a Verpflichtungserklärung (VPE) for visiting her and Germany for 2 weeks long. So I prepared all documents regarding Schengen Visa, like employment certificate, bank accounts, travel insurance, VPE, filled in application forms, recent bio-metric photos and etc.
At the first interview, the officer (who was also Iranian), took the documents and asked few questions. She made it sound weird that we only met on the internet. But, I explained her that she helps me learning German and we are good friends form 2 years ago. Anyhow she took all the docs and said, the decision result for your case will be sent in 2 weeks.
After a week they called me and said I am invited for another interview at the embassy by consul. I went there and this time, there was a German guy who was asking questions. Perhaps he was the decision maker.
First, he asked "What is your purpose of visiting Germany?" I explain my knowledge about their culture, foods and how I am fascinated about visiting there. Moreover, I explained about my friendship with my friend. Then he said she is much older than you. I told him that she is married, the age is not matter in friendship and ... . Then he made it a big deal that we only met on internet and not in person. I explain him, about the opportunities that technologies provide to us, the living creature of 21 century. Then he passed it and asked, What is your job exactly and I answered. Then he said at 2 PM (in 5 hours) you can get your passport and the result.
Unfortunately, I got a rejection letter attached to my passport at 2 PM. The items with circles around them, were the reasons of my visa refusal.
Your intention emigrate visa from the territory of the Member States, before the end, could not be found, because:
1) The documents submitted by them do not allow positive conclusions on the presence of a secure livelihood in Iran
2) They have not proven your economic bond in Iran with the documents in courts.
It means, 1) my salary is not enough in Iran, so I may stay there for a living. Also 2) I don't have anything economical to force me coming back to Iran, like owning a home, documented property or a lease.
In the second interview, the German guy didn't ask about these things. He asked about the aim of my visit, why is she older than me, how is her family, how did you met, was it in person or on internet, how long do you know her. I answered to all of his questions with confidence in detail and explained every bit of his concerns. So he couldn't select (circle) the other items for my visa rejection like :
Their acquaintance is not clear, the aim of visit is not clear, there are ambiguities in oral interview about his aim of visit, his plans for staying and their acquaintance.
So I think there are 2 possibilities and I am really wonder which is true?
1) He was not very happy that we were only internet friends (as I felt it in the interview), but my answers were so strong and clear, so he couldn't use those reasons to reject me. Thus he used those vague economical reasons to refuse my visa request.
2) He knew that he has to reject me for at least the given economical matters, but he was unsure if there are more reasons, like the ones he asked in the second interview, to reject me. Thus, I could know all my weakness in my application case for future correction. Anyhow, he found out, the only problem that I have to fix for future is my economic bond and salary.
I had about 8,000 EU deposit in my back account which was sufficient for a visit. I have an official job (teacher), which is not very well paid here, (about 400 EU/month), 30,000 EU traveling insurance.
EUR 8000 deposit on a EUR 400 salary
That would also make the visa officer suspicious.I don't have anything economical to force me coming back to Iran, like owning a Home, Document property، Lease.
This would be deal breaker if you cannot convince the visa officer that you have ties to your country. – DumbCoder Jul 18 '16 at 7:56