The Schengen Area member states received a total of 3,092 visa applications from applicants of the Palestinian territory in 2024, as listed on the official data.
According to statistics published by SchengenVisaInfothe Palestinian Authority is the 99th country for most visa requests filed in 2024, and a total of five countries received applications from this country of origin, Schengen.News reports.
Out of 3,092 applications, 78.5 per cent, or 2,428 applications, were approved, while around 358 received a negative decision, representing 11.8 per cent of all applications.
These 5 Countries Received the Most Visa Requests Filed by Applicants From the Palestinian Authority
Applicants from the Palestinian Authority have filed their applications mainly in five Schengen states. Germany is the number one destination, receiving 1,627 out of 3,092, accounting for 52.6 per cent of the total.
Switzerland is the second country with the highest number of visa applications received in 2024 from this country of origin, 679 or 21.9 per cent of all applications received from this group.
The Netherlands and Portugal follow with 444 and 199 applications, respectively, while Bulgaria, listed fifth and last for the number of applications received from Palestinian Authority applicants, received 143 visa applications in total.
Switzerland Had the Highest Visa Approval for This Applicant Group
Switzerland had the highest approval rates for visa applicants from the Palestinian Authority for 2024. Out of 679 applications, Swiss authorities issued 643 of them, representing a 94.7 per cent approval rate.
Bulgaria is second with 84.62 per cent approval rates, accounting for 121 approved visas out of 143 applications received. Germany follows with a 79.47 per cent approval rate – 1,293 approved visas out of 1,627 applications.
The Netherlands had the lowest approval rates out of all five countries – 48.87 per cent, showing that 217 out of 444 applications were approved. Portugal had a 77.39 per cent approval rate for applicants from the Palestinian Authority.
Schengen States Received Over 11.7 Million Visa Applications in 2024
Schengen states received 11.7 million visa applications last year, up from 10.3 million recorded in the previous year.
France remains the top recipient country for visa applications, but, unlike in 2023, Spain has become the second country for visa applicationsleaving Germany behind.
As per countries of origin of applicants, the top ten nationalities with the most visa applications for 2024 have remained the same as in 2023, and top countries of origin include China, Turkiye, India, Morocco, Russia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, foreigners in the UK, Thailand and foreigners in the UAE.