While Spain didn’t hold the highest overall approval rates for Schengen visas in 2023, certain nationalities experienced significantly higher acceptance rates for Spanish visas. Recent data reveals that applicants from Jamaica, Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines were more likely than others to receive positive outcomes on their visa applications.

Here’s a closer look at these five nationalities and their Spanish visa approval rates:

1. Jamaica

Jamaican nationals led the list with an exceptionally high visa approval rate. In 2023, they submitted 3,062 applications, and an impressive 98.4% were granted. Out of the total, 3,013 applications were approved, leaving only 41 rejections, indicating a very favourable trend for Jamaicans seeking to travel to Spain.

2. Indonesia

Indonesians had the second-highest approval rate, with a 96.1% success rate on their applications. Out of 20,090 applications submitted, 19,317 were approved, while only 615 faced rejections. This high acceptance rate underscores the strong likelihood of Indonesian applicants securing a Spanish visa.

3. Thailand

Thai nationals enjoyed a similarly high approval rate, with over 95% of their applications approved. Of the 11,203 visa requests from Thai applicants, 10,647 were granted, signalling a welcoming stance toward Thai visitors.

4. Saudi Arabia

Saudi applicants also experienced a favourable outcome, with 94.32% of applications approved. Saudi citizens filed a significant 52,624 applications, of which 49,636 received approval. Only 1,242 applications were denied, maintaining Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the top nationalities for Spanish visa acceptance.

5. Philippines

Filipino nationals rounded out the top five, with an approval rate of 93.91%. In 2023, 21,527 visas were issued to Filipino applicants, reflecting Spain’s openness to travellers from the Philippines.

These figures highlight that while overall visa approval rates can vary across Schengen countries, Spain has shown particularly high acceptance rates for applicants from these five nationalities. This trend not only underscores Spain’s connections with these countries but also serves as a promising indicator for future applicants from these regions.