Applicants for Schengen visas filed over 11.7 million applications in 2024. Compared to 2023 numbers, when 10.3 million applications were recorded, application rates increased by 13.4 per cent in the one-year period.
According to statistics published by SchengenVisaInfothe top ten countries of origin for visa applicants have remained the same in 2024, with China leading the list, Schengen.News reports.
These ten countries represented 62.4 per cent of the total number of applications that Schengen states received in 2024, totalling over 7.3 million. In 2023, these countries represented 58.7 per cent of the 10.3 million applications filed for the year.
62% of All Visa Applications in 2024 Came From These 10 Applicant Groups
Although these applicants have mainly filed more visa applications than they did in the previous year, some changes have been noticed. For example, applicants from Morocco and Thailand filed fewer visa applications in 2024, while applicants from other countries experienced more interest in applying for Schengen visas, with Chinese visa applicants having one of the highest increases out of all.
These are the countries whose nationals and, in some cases, residents, filed the largest number of visa applications for 2024:
China
Chinese applicants filed 1.7 million visa applications in 2024, 59.2 per cent more than the 2023 numbers, when 1.1 million visa applications were filed.
France remains the top destination for visa applicants from China, with 458,018 applications out of 1.7 million applicants going for French visas.
In 2023, 271,111 applications were filed for French visas, but far fewer than in 2024 – 24.2 per cent of visa applications that Chinese filed were for French visas.
Türkiye
The number of applications also increased for Turkish applicants, who filed 11.1 per cent more visa requests in 2024 compared to the previous year.
In general, the number of applications rose from 1.05 million to 1.1 million, and Greece remained the top destination for visa applicants.
In 2024, Turkish applicants filed 296,377 or 25.2 per cent of all visa applications for a Greek visa.
India
Indians filed 1.18 million Schengen visa applications in 2024. That was up by 14.6 per cent from 966,687 applications they filed last year.
Switzerland remains the top destination for this nationality group as they submitted 217,373 visa requests to this country, representing 19.61 per cent of all visa applications Indians filed for the year.
Morocco
Moroccan applicants filed 606,800 million visa applications in 2024, 2.6 per cent more than the 2023 numbers, when 591,401 visa applications were filed.
France remains the top destination for visa applicants from Morocco, with 282,153 applications out of 606,800 going for French visas.
In 2023, 310,057 applications were filed for French visas, which is considerably more than in 2024. Last year, 8.9 per cent fewer visa applications for French visas were recorded from Moroccan applicants.
Russia
Visa application rates increased by 2.5 per cent for this nationality group in 2024. Russians filed about 86,207 more applications in 2024, despite sanctions.
As the data reveal, Italy remains the top destination for Russian applicantswho filed 161,401 out of 606,594 applications for Italian visas.
Algeria
Algerian applicants filed 544,634 visa applications in 2024, 14.8 per cent more than the 2023 numbers, when 474,032 visa applications were filed.
France remains the top destination for visa applicants from Algeria, with 352,295 applications out of 544,634 applications going for French visas.
In 2023, 279,005 applications were filed for French visas, but far fewer than in 2024 – 26.2 per cent of visa applications that Algerians filed were for French visas.
Saudi Arabia
Applicants from Saudi Arabia filed 505,455 applications in 2024, while in 2023, 428,954 applications were submitted for Schengen visas.
These applicants filed most of their applications for French visas – 37.8 per cent of all applications. In 2023, applicants from Saudi Arabia submitted 145,096 requests for French visas, representing 33.82 per cent of 428,954 applications.
United Kingdom
Foreign residents in the United Kingdom who need a Schengen visa to enter the bloc submitted 470,569 visa applications in 2024, 5.74 per cent more than the 2023 numbers, when 405,631 visa applications were filed.
France was the top destination for visa applicants from the UK, with 132,469 applications out of 470,569 being for French visas.
In 2023, 130,181 applications were filed for French visas. Applications for French visas were 1.7 per cent higher in 2024.
Thailand
Visa application rates dropped by 1.9 per cent for this nationality group in 2024. Applicants from Thailand filed about 265,243 applications in 2024.
According to the data, Germany was the top destination for these applicants, who filed 39,497 out of 265,243 applications for German visas. In 2023, applicants from Thailand filed most of their applications for Swiss visas.
United Arab Emirates
Foreign residents of the United Arab Emirates submitted 260,229 applications in 2024, while in 2023, 233,932 applications were submitted for Schengen visas.
These applicants filed most of their applications for German visas – 12.6 per cent of all applications. In 2023, applicants from Saudi Arabia submitted 26,024 requests for German visas, representing 11.12 per cent of 233,932 applications.