Background:
I am writing to formally document a distressing experience regarding my recent Schengen visa submission at the VFS Global center in Mumbai. On October 25th, I arrived for my appointment to submit my application for Germany. I had prepared my file meticulously, including a valid travel insurance policy that meets the 30,000 Euro coverage requirement.
Upon reaching the submission counter, I was informed by the staff member that my existing insurance was “insufficient” for the specific health mandates of the region and that I was required to purchase the “Global Doctor on Call” service immediately. When I attempted to query this against the official checklist, the staff member became visibly aggressive, raising their voice and stating that my application would not be accepted without this add-on. In order to comply and ensure my application was submitted before the daily cutoff, I incurred additional expenses for this service, as well as the “Premium Lounge” which I was told was necessary for “faster processing” given the queue.
Inquiries:
- Is the “Global Doctor on Call” service a mandatory requirement for a German Schengen visa, or is this a discretionary third-party service?
- What are the judicial remedies or formal complaint channels available to dispute these charges, given that I was not effectively allowed to decline them?
- Has anyone successfully received a refund for services added under duress by proving the lack of entry-exit consistency in the advice given?