Malta emerged as the Schengen country with the highest rate of visa rejections. Of the 33,306 applications submitted to Maltese authorities, a significant 37.60% were denied, translating to 12,261 unsuccessful applicants. This high rejection rate places Malta at the top of the list among all 27 Schengen Area countries in terms of visa refusal.

The data shows a stark disparity between nationalities, with Algerian applicants facing the toughest scrutiny. A staggering 90.35% of visa requests from Algerians were turned down. This makes Algeria the country with the highest rejection rate for Maltese visas, suggesting a stringent vetting process for these applicants.

Ghana and Morocco followed closely behind in rejection statistics. Visa requests from Ghana were denied at a rate of 62.69%, while Moroccan applicants experienced a similar challenge, with 60.37% of their applications rejected.

The Schengen visa is highly sought after by individuals looking to travel, work, or study in European countries. However, the strict application requirements and background checks mean that not all applicants meet the necessary criteria, with Malta leading the group in terms of visa denials.

This high rejection rate can be attributed to various factors, including applicants' inability to meet the stringent requirements for proof of sufficient funds, travel insurance, and travel itinerary, or concerns about overstay risks. As Malta becomes increasingly selective with its visa issuance, applicants from countries with higher rejection rates may need to take extra steps to ensure their documents and application meet the necessary standards.

With Malta playing a critical role within the Schengen zone and having stringent border controls, it will be important to monitor future visa trends and whether the country maintains this high rejection rate going forward.