In case of short-term Schengen visa refusal (or annulment or revocation), the applicant receives a standard form notifying reasons for visa refusal (or annulment or revocation), including guidance on possible remedy, that is a request for a review of visa refusal (appeal).

The request for a review of a Schengen visa refusal (appeal) must be submitted to the consular mission that refused the visa within 15 days after receiving the standard form. The request can be submitted in person or by mail, in either case it must carry the original signature of the appellant or his/her legal representative. Detailed instructions are given in the standard form.

In the request for a review of visa refusal (appeal), the appellant states the reasons for the appeal, i.e. why he/she considers the decision of the consular mission incorrect. Information that was not included in the original visa application cannot be a reason for the appeal.  

If the application is refused on the grounds of prior consultation objection, the applicant receives the standard form indicating one or more of the following reasons:

● one or more Member States consider the applicant to be a threat to public policy or internal security (reason no. 7),

● one or more Member States consider the applicant to be a threat to public health as defined in point (21) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code) (reason no. 8), or

● one or more Member States consider the applicant to be a threat to their international relations (reason no. 9).

If the Czech Republic is the Member State or one of the Member States that has issued the objection, visa applicant can seek protection against such designation in the Czech Republic. For more information, the applicant can contact the Alien Police Service, which is the institution responsible for the prior consultation when processing Schengen visas.

The fee for request for a review of visa refusal (appeal) is EUR 80. In case of family members of EU/Czech Republic citizens, this fee is waived. 

The request for a review of visa refusal (appeal) is forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which reviews it within 60 days. The appellant receives information about the result from the consular mission that refused the visa.

In case that the review by Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the negative decision of the consular mission, the applicant is entitled, within 30 days after receiving the information of the result, to request judicial review of the result. Pursuant to § 172/7 of the Act No 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic, the relevant court is the District Court in whose jurisdiction the foreigner would fulfil the duty to report residence after entering the territory. The address of planned residence on the territory of the Czech Republic must be clearly stated in the original visa application.

In case of long-term visa refusal, the request for review should be sent directly (not through the consular mission) to the Ministry of the Interior, Department for Asylum and Migration Policy.