Malta Visa Rejection Rate for Indians: What Drives Approval

Each question below is answered from the European Commission's consulate statistics and the official checklists of VFS Global and Malta's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Fees, centres and the complete checklist are on our Malta visa page for Indians.

What were Malta's refusal figures for India in 2024 and 2025?

Source: European Commission, Schengen visa statistics by consulate (2024 and 2025 editions).

Two trends stand out. The number of applications lodged in India roughly doubled between the two years. Over the same period, the refusal rate fell from 44.9% to 32.1%. Even so, the 2025 rate remains high enough that an incomplete or inconsistent file carries real risk.

What exactly does the 32.1% figure measure?

It is the European Commission's refusal rate for short-stay (Schengen C) visa applications lodged at Malta's consular posts in India in 2025. The Commission works it out from visas not issued against visas decided. It combines every short-stay purpose: tourism, business, visiting family and friends, and the other C categories.

It does not include long-stay (D) visas for work or study. Those are decided by Identità in Malta, and a work permit appointment at VFS needs an Approval in Principle letter first.

The figure is also not a forecast for your own application. A complete file from a salaried applicant with earlier Schengen travel and a first-time traveller with thin bank records both sit inside the same percentage. Use it as a signal to prepare carefully, not as your personal odds.

Which documents get the closest look?

Malta's 2026 VFS tourism checklist asks for different financial proof depending on how you earn. Missing or weak items in this part of the file are the easiest to fix before you apply.

Every applicant also submits an Aadhaar card with a photocopy and a copy of the PAN card. Form 16 is not named on Malta's official checklist; the tourism list asks for payslips and ITR acknowledgments instead. Do not print documents back-to-back, and carry photocopies of everything.

How do insurance and accommodation proof trip people up?

Malta's insurance rule is stricter than many applicants expect. The policy must give at least EUR 30,000 of cover, be valid for all Schengen countries and cover the whole trip, including the arrival and departure dates. It may only be bought from one of the 16 Schengen-recognised insurance companies in India. A policy from any other insurer does not meet the requirement, however good the cover.

For accommodation, a confirmed hotel booking works. If you are staying with someone in Malta, the checklist asks for a "Declaration of Proof" signed by your host and witnessed by a Maltese Public Notary, together with the host's ID, proof of residence and proof of income. A simple invitation letter is not the same document.

Your cover letter should state the purpose, duration, accompanying persons, transport and accommodation. Make sure those details match the flight reservation and hotel booking in the file. A return flight reservation is required, plus intra-Schengen transport if you visit several states.

Does an earlier Schengen visa help?

The checklist asks for the original and a photocopy of previous Schengen stamps, and your old passport is mandatory. So the officer sees your travel history whether or not you mention it.

Malta's foreign ministry says multiple-entry visas are generally granted to applicants who have previously held and used Schengen visas on multiple occasions. That is a statement about visa validity, not a promise of approval. Still, a record of visas used correctly is part of the picture the High Commission reviews.

What can you do if Malta refuses your visa?

Malta's Ministry for Foreign Affairs tells refused applicants to follow the appeal instructions given in the official refusal letter. Read the stated reason first; it tells you which part of the file failed.

The adult visa fee of INR 9994 / EUR 90 is non-refundable if the visa is refused, and the VFS service charge of INR 2931 is paid per application. Correct the reason given in the letter before you pay for a fresh appointment. Visa queries go to VFS, not the High Commission; the visa section accepts written enquiries only, at visa.newdelhi@gov.mt.

Before you book the VFS appointment

• Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before travel; VFS recommends at least 4 weeks.
• Standard processing is 15 calendar days, extendable up to 45. Cochin and Lucknow applications add up to 3 days of transit.
• Your passport must be issued within the previous 10 years and valid at least 3 months after your stay. The checklist asks for at least 3 blank pages, while the VFS page text says two; plan for three.
• Carry one photo of 3.5cm x 4.5cm on a white background; biometrics are captured at the centre.
• Check that your insurer is on the list of 16 recognised companies before you pay for the policy.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for Malta visa files. Packages start at INR 1,000 for a flight reservation and go up to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp us at +91 95230 91018 or write through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Malta visa fee for Indians?

The short-stay fee is INR 9994 / EUR 90 for adults and INR 4997 / EUR 45 for children between 6 and 12. VFS adds a service charge of INR 2931 per application, inclusive of GST. The visa fee is non-refundable if the visa is refused.

How long does Malta take to decide a Schengen visa from India?

Malta's Ministry for Foreign Affairs gives a standard 15 calendar days, extendable up to 45 calendar days if more documents or review are needed. VFS adds that decisions may take up to three weeks, particularly for Indian states outside Delhi.

Where can I submit a Malta visa application in India?

VFS Global runs 11 Malta centres: New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai. Documents must be submitted in person, and photographs and biometrics are captured at the centre.

Does Malta's refusal rate include work visas?

No. The European Commission figure covers short-stay Schengen applications only. Long-stay work permits need a valid Approval in Principle letter from Identità before you can book the VFS appointment.