In 2021, Sweden, Norway, France and Denmark were said to turn down the highest number of visa applications from third-country citizens. Applicants applying to the embassies and consulates of these four countries were more likely to get rejected as compared to any other country in the Schengen area, as per the Schengen Visa Statistics 2021.
France, Germany and Spain received the highest number of applications in 2021.The average rejection rate for all Schengen states in 2021 was 13.4% of the total 2,926,104 applications filed from across the world. Against this, Sweden had the highest rejection rate, declining 30.6% of the 22,260 visa applications. Norway came second with 26.2% of 9,895 visa applications rejected. France turned down 21.1 % of the 652,331 applications they received. Denmark rejected 21.1% of the 26,469 applications. Belgium turned down 20.4% of 50,796 applications, whereas Malta 16.2% of 4,295 visa requests in 2021.
How did Schengen visa applications from India perform?
Sweden rejected 833 or 42.26% of 1,974 visa applications from India in 2021, whereas Norway turned down 30.69%. France issued 25,482 visas and turned down 11,959 applications during the same year. Switzerland rejected 21% of applications and issued 15,551 visas to Indian travellers last year. The Spanish consulate in Delhi saw more rejections at 30.20% as compared to Mumbai which had 15.08% of its applications rejected.
Best countries for Schengen visa?
The countries with the lowest rejection rates are Luxembourg (1.2 per cent), Slovakia (2.7 per cent), Lithuania (2.8 per cent), the Czech Republic (3.3 per cent), and Latvia (3.5 per cent).
The African continent seems to be at the receiving end of most rejections. Citizens of Guinea Bissau had 53% of the Schengen visa applications turned down, the Sengalese 52.2% and Nigerians 51%.
These statistics speak of the situation in 2021. They may or may not represent the realities of cross-border travel at the moment. The consensus is that most embassies and consulates in India are creaking under the weight of applications. Here’s a handy guide on how bad the situation is and what you can do about it.
