Russian citizens applying for the Finnish Schengen are very rarely denied. Those who did not receive the requested visa are less than one percent of the total number of those who applied. Nevertheless, there are cases of refusal, and it is useful to find out about them before submitting documents. If you have already been denied, you can appeal.
Reasons for visa refusals
Violation of the visa regime is one of the most common reasons for refusing a Finnish visa. For example, you received a Finnish visa, but never visited it, and instead traveled to various other European countries (judging by the stamps in your passport). Or you go to Finland only to immediately transfer to a plane, for example, to Italy. Finns really don't like it when tourists do this. In some of these cases, if they can be identified, they may even cancel the visa. Despite the fact that a Schengen visa allows you to travel to all countries that have signed the agreement, there is still a rule that if you received a visa for a specific country, you should spend most of your travel time in it.
Also, they are often denied due to the fact that the tourist behaved inappropriately on the territory of the European Union. Unpaid car fines, free travel and other administrative violations within the country may result in blacklisting.
Problems with documents are another likely cause. This includes an incorrectly filled out questionnaire, as well as the very fact that you incorrectly entered any information (provided false information). For example, the hotel reservation you brought was canceled at the time of submission, and when you call you at work, it turns out that they do not have such an employee. The wrong term of health insurance or the choice of an operator not included in the list of accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland is also included in the list of reasons for refusal.
If refused
If the consulate denied you a visa, then the visa fee is not refundable - this is not a fee for the visa itself, but for the time spent on the consideration of your application.
In case of refusal, you will receive a document stating the reason. It also usually tells you how to appeal. To do this, you either need to prove that the information provided by you was correct and reliable, because it also happens that a visa is denied by mistake. Sometimes an applicant can be blacklisted, then a person gets into a "visa quarantine", which lasts from several months to 10 years, the exact period depends on the severity of the violation.
Filing an appeal
The appeal has three parts. In the first part, you need to indicate the consulate or embassy that refused your visa. In the second part, you should detail the reasons why you were refused, as well as describe the situation. If you can do this, then explain. The third part is the final one, where you need to set out a request for a review of the decision. The appeal can and should be provided with additional documents confirming your case. The application will be reviewed within a few weeks.
