Schengen visa approvals saw distinct patterns among applicants from China, Russia, and Türkiye, with these three countries receiving the most visas overall. However, a closer look at approval rates highlights different countries as leaders in the proportion of successful applications. Belarus, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia, in particular, emerged as the top nationalities with high approval rates for Schengen visas, with a strong presence in multiple-entry visas (MEVs) and a variety of popular European destinations.
Belarus: The Top Approval Rate Leader
Belarusian nationals experienced the highest Schengen visa approval rates, largely due to Italy’s favourable response to their applications. Of the 40,260 applications submitted by Belarusians, an impressive 99.79 percent—or 40,175—were approved. With only 82 rejections, Belarusian applicants maintained one of the lowest rejection rates of the year.
Belarusian travellers also received a high number of multiple-entry visas, with 34,316 approved as MEVs, indicating that 85.4 percent of all visas issued to Belarusians allowed for multiple visits. Germany, Italy, and Poland were the preferred destinations for Belarusian applicants, with Germany receiving the highest number of applications (31.8 percent), followed by Italy (24.5 percent) and Poland (21.6 percent).
Zimbabwe: High Approval Rates for Schengen Visas
Zimbabwean nationals were among the top recipients of Schengen visas, with Italy granting approval to 98.95 percent of applicants from Zimbabwe. Out of 1,046 visa applications submitted, 1,035 were approved, with only ten rejections, showcasing an outstanding approval rate for Zimbabwean travelers.
A significant portion of these approvals were MEVs, with 729 multiple-entry visas issued, representing 70.43 percent of the total approved visas. France and Germany were the most sought-after destinations for Zimbabweans, while Italy ranked as the third most popular destination.
Indonesia: Italy Among Top Approvers of Indonesian Applications
Although Italy is not the primary destination for Indonesian applicants, it has a reputation for issuing a high percentage of approvals to Indonesian nationals. In 2023, Italy approved 98.62 percent of visa applications from Indonesians, resulting in 5,429 approvals and only 75 rejections.
Italy, along with Austria and Czechia, proved to be highly favorable for Indonesian applicants. Austria led with a 99.4 percent approval rate, closely followed by Czechia at 98.7 percent. These three countries combined were the most frequent issuers of Schengen visas to Indonesian nationals.
In summary, Schengen visa trends illustrate that while a few countries dominate in sheer numbers, approval rates tell a nuanced story. Belarusian, Zimbabwean, and Indonesian nationals achieved high visa success rates, demonstrating favorable policies and consistent demand across different European destinations.