In a surprising turn of events, 40 Indian students were denied visas by the Spanish Embassy in India, raising concerns about the integrity of the reasons provided for their stay. These students had applied to attend vocational training programs in the hospitality and catering sector, scheduled across various regions of Spain. However, their visa applications were met with rejection, with authorities citing doubts regarding the real purpose of their stay in the European Union.
According to Schengen.News, Spanish authorities expressed concerns that the students had not sufficiently proven the legitimacy of their vocational training intentions. The rejection letters issued by the embassy cited “sufficient indications to doubt the veracity of the reasons given for requesting the visa,” claiming that the “objective and purpose of the stay are not proven beyond a doubt.”
Spanish Visa Rejections Spark Distress and Discouragement Among Students
The visa rejection process has left many students in a state of distress, as the appeal process proves to be both lengthy and costly. Maria Angeles Lopez de Bayas, a representative of the Erasmus in School and Vocational Spain organization, noted that the process to appeal a rejected visa can take up to a month, causing many students to abandon their efforts.
“India is a vast country, and having to travel in person to the Spanish Embassy or consulate, which are located in New Delhi or Mumbai, is a significant burden for many students,” Lopez de Bayas explained. “The long trips and financial costs involved discourage students from pursuing their appeals.”
Stricter Requirements for Indian Students Applying for Spanish Visas
Lopez de Bayas also highlighted the stringent requirements that must be met for foreign students seeking a visa to study in Spain. These requirements include the homologation of their Indian studies to meet Spanish standards, evidence of a clean criminal record, proof of financial means amounting to €10,000, and a medical certificate to verify that the student is free from contagious diseases.
These requirements, coupled with the high cost of appealing visa denials, have led many students to give up on their aspirations of studying abroad.
Extremadura’s Regional Government Pledges Support
The vocational training programs, which were set to take place primarily in Spain’s Extremadura region, have been thrown into uncertainty due to the visa rejections. While the Regional Government of Extremadura lacks the authority to intervene directly in visa decisions, it has promised to facilitate the late incorporation of Indian students into classes, should the visa issue be resolved.
In a statement, the regional government emphasized that if foreign students are ultimately unable to secure their places in the training programs, “the modules corresponding to the vacant places would become modular.”
Students Protest, Decry Rejection as “Total Disregard of Their Future”
The visa rejections have sparked outrage among the affected students, many of whom feel that the decision is unfair and detrimental to their future careers. One such student, Karma Tseten Choda, voiced her frustration, calling the rejection arbitrary and inefficient.
“My classes were scheduled to start on September 18, and I submitted all the required documents,” Choda stated. “This refusal not only seems arbitrary to me but also reflects gross inefficiency and a total disregard for my time and my future. I always wanted to learn Spanish cooking to put it into practice later in my country.”
Another student, Suman Ugdata, revealed that she has already begun the appeal process but encountered additional challenges. “I had to travel four hours to reapply for my visa,” Ugdata said. “I wasn’t able to get all the information I needed because I didn’t have an appointment, and as a result, my documentation was denied again.”
The Broader Impact on Students’ Future Aspirations
For many of these Indian students, the vocational training programs in Spain represent an essential stepping stone toward advancing their careers in the hotel and catering industry. However, the visa rejections are seen as a significant setback, not only for their personal aspirations but also for their future employability.
“The rejection of these visas is not just a bureaucratic hurdle,” one student said anonymously. “It’s a total disregard for our future.”
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