RIYADH: Many Saudis and expatriates seeking to travel to Europe on holiday say they have been experiencing problems getting visas.
Motlaq M., a Saudi citizen, said that his application was rejected because he only brought a three-month bank statement. The center where he was applying wanted six months'.
When he returned with another bank statement, it was again rejected because this time it had been calculated using the Hijri calendar and was 174 days instead of 180 days (six months). He then had to change it again.
An expatriate, who did not want to be named, said she had applied for Italian visas for herself and children but was shocked when a letter of permission from her sponsor was requested.
She procured the letter and paid for the visas, but the application was rejected after 15 days, on the grounds that the purpose of her stay was not considered an adequate reason.
She said the rejection was baseless because she had completed all visa requirements and paid the fees. What shocked her the most was that she was not able to get her money back.
A travel and tourism expert said countries must follow international laws in terms of visa applications. “If they do not want us to travel there, on vacation or otherwise, that’s all right, but what is happening right now is not correct and needs to be corrected,” he said.
Motlaq M., a Saudi citizen, said that his application was rejected because he only brought a three-month bank statement. The center where he was applying wanted six months'.
When he returned with another bank statement, it was again rejected because this time it had been calculated using the Hijri calendar and was 174 days instead of 180 days (six months). He then had to change it again.
An expatriate, who did not want to be named, said she had applied for Italian visas for herself and children but was shocked when a letter of permission from her sponsor was requested.
She procured the letter and paid for the visas, but the application was rejected after 15 days, on the grounds that the purpose of her stay was not considered an adequate reason.
She said the rejection was baseless because she had completed all visa requirements and paid the fees. What shocked her the most was that she was not able to get her money back.
A travel and tourism expert said countries must follow international laws in terms of visa applications. “If they do not want us to travel there, on vacation or otherwise, that’s all right, but what is happening right now is not correct and needs to be corrected,” he said.
