H.M. had been refused a Schengen business visa at the German consulate on the grounds that his company's invitation letter did not clearly establish a business relationship with the German counterpart. He had applied at the German consulate because his flight landed in Frankfurt, but his actual business was with a company in the Netherlands.
Elena identified the underlying problem: H.M. had applied at the wrong consulate. Under Schengen rules, business travellers must apply at the consulate of the country where the primary business activity occurs. H.M.'s meetings were all in Amsterdam. We prepared a fresh application for the Dutch consulate, with a detailed itinerary showing three days of meetings in the Netherlands and only a transit stop in Germany. The Dutch consulate approved without further question.
Approved at the Dutch consulate in Riyadh in 9 days. Two-year multiple-entry visa granted.