Rejected Visa to Sweden Thru NL Embassy
Hi everyone,
I recently applied for a visa to visit my daughter and her husband in Sweden together with my wife and two of my sons.
Since there is no Swedish embassy in my country of residence, I had to submit the application through the Netherlands embassy, which handles visa processing for Sweden here.
Unfortunately, my visa application was refused, and I am now preparing an appeal. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has experience with Schengen visa refusals or appeals.
These were the reasons for refusal and the questions I have:
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1️⃣ Purpose and conditions of stay were not sufficiently justified
Reason from embassy:
“You were unable to provide sufficiently convincing or verifiable information about the purpose and circumstances of your stay.”
What I submitted:
I explained in my application that we want to visit my daughter and her husband to spend family time together, especially since they are newly married. They visited us in December 2025, and now we planned to visit them during my sons’ summer holiday.
My question:
What more do they usually expect for a family visit visa?
Do they want:
* a detailed travel itinerary?
* places we plan to visit together?
* daily schedule?
* something else?
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2️⃣ Relationship with the host was not sufficiently proven
Reason from embassy:
“The relationship between you and the host identified in your application has not been demonstrated by objective evidence.”
What I submitted:
My son-in-law provided Swedish population registration documents clearly showing that he is married to my daughter. She has my name as her father and the same family surname.
My question:
Isn’t that enough?
For the appeal, I will also include:
* my daughter’s birth certificate
* family registration documents
What else can I provide to prove the relationship between me and my son-in-law?
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3️⃣ Doubts about intention to leave Schengen area before visa expiry (income/financial situation)
Reason from embassy:
They said there was not enough evidence of regular and substantial income, and therefore they were not convinced I would return after the visit.
What I submitted:
* I have a 10-year investor residence permit in a GCC country
* I own a business and submitted ownership documents
* My bank account had more than $45,000
* However, my bank statements do not show a monthly salary because I usually cover expenses directly from business cash income from customers
I realize now that I did not explain this clearly in the application.
Additional information:
Besides the business cash flow, I also receive around $2,600 monthly from my business partner through his private bank account based on an agreement between us.
My questions:
* How can I better prove sufficient income if I do not take a formal salary from my own company?
* Would the agreement with my partner help?
* What documents usually help in cases like this?
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4️⃣ Doubts about strong social/economic ties to my country of residence
Reason from embassy:
They said there was insufficient evidence that I have strong social or economic ties that would guarantee my return after the visit.
What I submitted:
* company ownership documents
* property documents for the home where I live
* another property in my name
* school letters confirming my sons are enrolled and registered for next year
My questions:
Would it help to mention that:
* one of my sons is married and lives in the same city
* another son is studying at university and lives with us
* we also have many relatives living here
What other documents or evidence could help strengthen this point in the appeal?
Any advice from people with experience in Schengen visa appeals would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.