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📋 Purpose of stay not justified
Understanding this Schengen visa refusal reason and knowing how to contest it effectively
What is this refusal reason?
The refusal reason “Purpose of stay not justified” (often coded as reason 10 or 3 depending on consulates) means that consular authorities consider that you have not provided sufficient explanations or clear justifications about the real reasons for your visit to France.
⚠️ Warning: This reason is often formulated vaguely by consulates with terms like “the information provided to justify the purpose and conditions of the intended stay is not reliable” or “is incomplete”.
In practice, this means that:
- Your explanations about the reason for your trip are deemed unclear
- The documents provided do not correspond to the declared reason
- There is an inconsistency between your declarations and justifications
- The consulate doubts the reality of your travel project
Why is this reason invoked?
1. Inconsistency between declared reason and justifications
The consulate may identify flagrant contradictions in your file:
- You declare a tourist trip but attach a family hosting certificate
- You mention studies without providing enrollment certificate
- You indicate a business trip without credible professional invitation
2. Insufficient or non-credible documents
The justifications provided do not clearly establish the purpose of stay:
- Unconfirmed or falsified hotel reservations
- Poorly detailed professional invitations
- Vague or non-existent travel program
- Incomplete hosting certificates
3. Vague or contradictory explanations
Your answers during the consular interview or in the form may raise doubts:
- Unfamiliarity with places you plan to visit
- Contradictory answers about duration or planned activities
- Inability to precisely explain your project
💡 Good to know: This refusal reason is often used by consulates because it offers them great discretion. This is why it is essential to prepare a perfectly coherent file.
How to avoid this refusal reason?
1. Prepare a coherent file
- Ensure all your documents correspond exactly to the declared reason
- Provide a detailed program of your stay with precise dates and places
- Attach all relevant justifications (reservations, invitations, etc.)
- Write a clear motivation letter explaining your project
2. Specific documents according to travel reason
🏖️ Tourist travel:
- Confirmed hotel reservations
- Detailed tourist program
- Round-trip flight tickets
- Travel insurance
👨💼 Business travel:
- Official invitation from French company
- Mission order from your employer
- Details about planned meetings
- Commercial activity justifications
👨👩👧👦 Family visit:
- Hosting certificate validated by city hall
- Family relationship justifications (birth certificates, marriage…)
- Host’s justifications (income, housing)
- Personal invitation letter
3. Prepare the consular interview
- Know your travel program perfectly
- Be able to explain your project in detail
- Respond consistently with your documents
- Demonstrate your knowledge of places you plan to visit
How to contest this refusal reason?
1. Legal arguments to develop
An effective appeal against this reason must demonstrate that:
- Your file contained all necessary elements to justify the purpose of stay
- The documents provided were authentic and consistent
- The decision lacks sufficient motivation (stereotyped formula)
- The consulate made an error in assessing the facts
2. Favorable jurisprudence
Administrative courts regularly cancel refusals based on this reason when:
- Motivation is too vague or stereotyped
- The documents provided were sufficient
- Administration did not specify which elements were “unreliable”
⚖️ Jurisprudence: The Nantes Administrative Court regularly considers that motivation which “contains no factual circumstances specific to the applicants’ situation” cannot be regarded as sufficient.
3. Appeal procedure
- Administrative appeal: To the visa sub-director (deadline: 30 days)
- Contentious appeal: Nantes Administrative Court (deadline: 2 months)
- Suspension summary proceedings: In case of particular urgency
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I contest a refusal for “purpose of stay not justified”?
Yes, this refusal reason can be contested effectively. It is often used too vaguely by consulates. A well-argued appeal demonstrates that your justifications were sufficient and that the decision lacks precise motivation.
What documents should I add to avoid this refusal?
Everything depends on your travel reason. For tourist travel: confirmed reservations, detailed program. For business: official invitation, mission order. For family: validated hosting certificate, family relationship justifications.
Can the consulate refuse without specifying what is “unreliable”?
No, administration must precisely motivate its decisions. A general formula like “unreliable information” without specification constitutes insufficient motivation that can be contested before the administrative court.
Should I provide new documents for my appeal?
You can add complementary elements that clarify your situation, but the main objective of the appeal is to demonstrate that the documents already provided were sufficient and that the refusal is unjustified.
How long to get a response to the appeal?
The visa sub-director has 2 months to respond to the administrative appeal. In case of contentious appeal before the Nantes Administrative Court, the procedure can take 6 to 12 months.
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