With so much to think about when heading overseas, a visa refusal can be a huge setback. But if you’ve already forked out cash for accommodation, flights and all the usual travel expenses, a visa refusal could burn a hole through your holiday savings and leave you feeling rather cheated.
And if you think that travel insurance will cover you for visa refusal cancellations, think again. There are certain instances where travel insurance will pick up the tab and visa refusal isn’t one of them.
What does my insurance cover me for?
It’s worth remembering that cancellation cover usually applied to events that are beyond your control. For instance, if you were forced to cancel your trip due to an illness, injury, strike or natural disaster you would be eligible for cover.
Would travel insurance cover a denied visa?
However, a rejected visa application doesn’t quite fall under this category as it is not entirely an unforeseen event. There is always the risk that your visa will not be processed and insurers expect travellers to have confirmed their visa requirements before they book their flights and accommodation.
So although being denied entry to a country might be a horrible unexpected surprise, it’s not an event that is covered as standard. Visit our guide to cancellation cover to learn more.
If possible, it’s always best to apply for, and receive your visa before booking your flights and accommodation. Check your airline’s refund policy- if you’re not confident about your visa application it may be wise to pay a little extra for a refundable ticket.
What can travellers with pre-booked travel arrangements do?
It’s worth remembering that cancellation cover usually applies to events that are beyond your control. For instance, if you were forced to cancel your trip due to an illness, injury, strike or natural disaster you would be eligible for cover. Visa refusals wouldn't be covered as there is always the risk your visa won’t be processed.
If possible, it’s always best to apply for, and receive your visa before booking your flights and accommodation. At least one insurer on the market now offers a ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit but you’ll have to pay a bit more for this type of cover. In any case, make sure you have a back-up plan in the event that your application is denied.
Check your airline’s refund policy- if you’re not confident about your visa application it may be wise to pay a little extra for a refundable ticket. While we would strongly recommend you secure your visa well in advance of your trip, it's worth having a little wiggle room in the event that you are denied.
A visa refusal could sabotage your sunny sojourn faster than a shipwreck. Be sure you are eligible to travel to your dream destination before you get booking. The right travel insurance policy, as well as a good degree of foresight will ensure your trip gets off to a smooth start.
Natali Mansberg
Natali is a former kids magazine writer whose credits include working for the mouse (Mickey that is). An avid traveller, Natali spent part of her childhood in Israel and enjoyed several stints across the globe. Having worked in travel insurance for three years, Natali likes to simplify the fine-print and help Aussies make sense of their insurance policies. She currently lives in Sydney with her husband and one-year old son.
