Which Schengen Countries Are Most Likely to Reject Visa Applications?

Travellers from many non-EU countries are required to apply for a visa to enter the Schengen Area, which includes 27 European countries. However, the likelihood of a visa application being rejected varies significantly across these nations. New statistics reveal that some countries are far stricter than others when it comes to approving Schengen visa requests.

According to data published by Schengen Visa Info, rejection rates can sometimes be higher in countries that process fewer applications. This trend underscores that predicting which Schengen countries are more likely to reject visas isn’t always straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of the countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates in 2023:

1. Malta: The Strictest of All Schengen Countries

Malta topped the list for visa rejections in 2023, with a rejection rate of 37.60%. Out of 33,306 applications submitted, 12,261 were turned down. Algerian nationals faced the highest rejection rates, with a staggering 90.35% of their applications denied. Ghanaians and Moroccans also encountered high rejection rates, at 62.69% and 60.37%, respectively.

2. Estonia: A High Rejection Rate Despite Fewer Applications

Estonia rejected more than half of the visa applications it received in 2023, with a rejection rate of 61.4%. Of the 7,079 applications submitted, 4,347 were denied. Egyptians were the most affected, facing a 59.5% rejection rate. Applicants from the UAE and India also experienced high rejection rates, at 57.9% and 49.7%, respectively. In contrast, Chinese applicants had a much lower rejection rate of just 7.3%.

3. Belgium: Consistently High Rejection Rates

Belgium ranked third among Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates, denying 26.6% of the 225,951 applications it received in 2023. Nationalities facing the most significant challenges in securing a Belgian visa were Senegalese (67.8%), Angolan (66.44%), and Nigerian (62.45%) applicants.

4. Sweden: Tough on Visa Approvals

Sweden processed 60,148 visa applications in 2023, rejecting 23.1% of them. Iranian applicants faced the most difficulty, with 76.65% of their visa applications turned down. Pakistani and Lebanese applicants also experienced high rejection rates, with 69.49% and 66.21% of their applications rejected, respectively.

5. Denmark: High Rejection Rates for Certain Nationalities

In 2023, Denmark processed 107,872 visa applications and rejected 21.2% of them. Moroccans faced an unusually high rejection rate of 100%, though this was based on just two applications. Iranians and Pakistanis also struggled to obtain Danish visas, with rejection rates of 76.65% and 69.49%, respectively.

Understanding Schengen Visa Rejection Trends

The variation in visa rejection rates across Schengen countries highlights the different approaches these nations take to processing visa applications. While Malta, Estonia, and Belgium are particularly stringent, other countries like Sweden and Denmark have also established themselves as more selective in issuing visas to non-EU travellers. Applicants from countries like Algeria, Iran, and Pakistan are particularly vulnerable to high rejection rates in many Schengen states.

For prospective travellers, it’s essential to consider these trends when applying for a Schengen visa. Understanding which countries have higher rejection rates may help applicants better prepare and ensure that their documentation is in order before submitting their application.