Indian Travellers Face Massive ₹662 Crore Loss from Visa Rejections in 2024
Indian travellers have suffered a staggering financial blow in 2024, losing an estimated ₹662 crore to visa rejections according to recent reports. This substantial sum represents money spent on application fees that never translated into actual travel experiences. The non-refundable nature of government visa fees means travellers typically have no recourse once their applications enter the official processing system.
Schengen Visa Rejections Account for Significant Portion of Losses
European Commission data reveals that Schengen visa rejections alone accounted for approximately ₹136 crore of the total losses. Out of 1.1 million Schengen visa applications filed by Indian travellers, about 165,000 were denied, highlighting the significant financial risk involved in international travel planning.
AtlysProtect: A Solution to Visa Application Financial Risk
The travel technology company Atlys addresses this financial vulnerability through its innovative visa insurance product called AtlysProtect, which comes standard for eligible destinations. This service provides crucial financial protection for travellers facing visa uncertainties.
How AtlysProtect Works:
- If a visa application is denied under qualifying conditions, applicants receive a 100% refund of their fees
- If the visa is approved but delayed beyond Atlys's committed timeline, the service fee is completely waived
- The policy applies across four main visa categories: eVisas, United States visas, Schengen visas, and Passport Collection services
Transparent Refund Policy Structure
Atlys has established a comprehensive and transparent refund policy that clearly outlines eligibility across the entire application process. The policy maps refund possibilities from initial internal checks through government submission to the final decision, giving applicants complete visibility into what happens to their money at each stage of the process.
Refund Eligibility by Application Stage:
- Pre-government submission: Applications still with Atlys (pending document upload or undergoing internal checks) are fully refundable. This includes situations where Atlys cancels due to insufficient documentation or travellers cancel for personal reasons before government submission.
- Post-government submission: Once applications are filed with government authorities, refunds generally stop as the application has entered the official visa process and cannot be withdrawn.
- Final decision phase: If the visa is approved on time, no refund is issued. If approved but delayed, the service fee is waived. If rejected with AtlysProtect coverage, travellers receive a full refund.
Destination-Specific Policy Variations
The refund policy maintains structural consistency across visa types while adjusting stages and conditions according to destination requirements. Schengen applications follow different timelines than eVisas, while US visa processing has its own unique checkpoints. This destination-specific approach allows applicants to check the precise rules applicable to their particular travel plans.
The Importance of Clear Refund Terms in Visa Processing
Visa outcomes are influenced by numerous factors including shifting regulations, documentation quality, and final consular decisions. Rejection rates vary significantly by destination and applicant profile, making clear refund terms an essential safeguard for travellers. The financial risk of non-refundable fees makes transparent policies particularly valuable in reducing potential losses from rejected applications.
Atlys's approach to refund clarity represents a broader commitment to reducing uncertainty in what is often an opaque process. By making refund terms visible upfront, the company provides applicants with clearer expectations rather than leaving policies to be interpreted on a case-by-case basis.
Operational Improvements Supporting the Policy
The company has implemented several operational enhancements to support their refund policy:
- Refund processing time reduced from 72 hours to just 36 hours
- Cancellation requests handled through automated workflows
- Refunds directed straight to payment cards rather than account credits
Part of Broader Transparency Initiative
The refund framework forms one component of Atlys's comprehensive transparency initiative. The company recently launched the second edition of its Transparency Report, documenting operational performance and customer-driven changes across the platform. This includes clearer disclosures on pricing structures, refund handling procedures, and support escalation processes.
Collectively, these efforts aim to make visa processing more predictable for travellers, particularly for high-stakes destinations where rejection risk represents a genuine financial burden for applicants. As international travel continues to grow among Indian citizens, such transparent financial protections become increasingly important for managing the uncertainties inherent in cross-border mobility.
