Travelers from many non-EU countries face the requirement of obtaining a visa to enter the Schengen Area. But when it comes to approval, not all Schengen countries are equally lenient. Some countries are far more likely to reject applications, adding an extra challenge for hopeful travelers.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint which countries are most likely to reject applications across the board, recent stats reveal certain trends. Interestingly, nations that handle fewer applications sometimes show surprisingly high rejection rates. Here’s a breakdown of the top five Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates in 2023, as reported by Monte OZ:
Malta
Malta stands out with the highest rejection rate among the 27 Schengen nations. In 2023, applicants submitted a total of 33,306 visa requests, but a striking 37.6%—or 12,261—were denied.
Algerians, in particular, faced an uphill battle, with a whopping 90.35% of their applications rejected. Ghanaians and Moroccans were next in line, with rejection rates of 62.69% and 60.37%, respectively.
Estonia
Estonia is even tougher, rejecting over 61.4% of the applications it received, which translates to 4,347 denials.
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Egyptians bore the brunt of these rejections, with a 59.5% denial rate. Applicants from the UAE and India also had a tough time, facing rejection rates of 57.9% and 49.7%, respectively. On a more positive note, Chinese nationals saw a much lower rejection rate of just 7.3%.
Belgium
With a rejection rate of 26.6%, Belgium ranks as the third most challenging country for Schengen applicants. Out of 225,951 applications, 60,148 received a thumbs-down.
Senegalese applicants faced the highest rejection rate at 67.8%, followed closely by Angolans (66.44%) and Nigerians (62.45%).
Sweden
Sweden processed a substantial number of visa applications in 2023 but denied 23.1% of them, ranking fourth in visa rejection rates.
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Among those hardest hit were Iranian nationals, with a notable 76.65% rejection rate across 4,153 applications. Pakistani and Lebanese applicants faced similarly tough odds, with rejection rates of 69.49% and 66.21%, respectively.
Denmark
Denmark received 107,872 visa applications in 2023, rejecting 21.2% or 21,509 in total. Moroccans had an astonishing 100% rejection rate, though only two applications were submitted.
Iranians and Pakistanis also found it challenging, with rejection rates of 76.65% and 69.49%, respectively.
For travelers hoping to visit the Schengen Area, these statistics highlight the importance of thorough preparation, as entry rules can vary significantly across member countries. Whether you’re drawn to Malta’s history or Sweden’s scenic landscapes, a well-prepared application is essential to ensure a smooth journey ahead.
