The European Commission has simply dropped a blockbuster replace: a staggering 11.7 million quick-keep visa functions had been acquired by EU and Schengen-associated international locations in 2024. That’s a 13.6% surge in comparison with 2023 and a large 56% leap from 2022. What’s much more thrilling? This is the most important submit-COVID restoration in visa site visitors we’ve seen.
And right here’s the place it will get hotter — new digitalization efforts, Bulgaria and Romania’s full Schengen participation, and decrease world refusal charges are rewriting the playbook for visa candidates in 2025. But what does this imply when you’re making use of quickly?
Let’s break it down!
What’s New? The 2024 EU Visa Landscape in Numbers
- Total Applications: 11.7 million (up from 10.3M in 2023)
- Total Visas Issued: 9.7 million (14.1% enhance from 2023)
- Multiple Entry Visas (MEVs): Over 50% of complete visas issued!
- Refusal Rate (Global): Dropped to 14.8%, down from 16% in 2023
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Top Applicant Countries:
- China: 1.77M functions
- Türkiye: 1.17M
- India: 1.1M
- Morocco: 606k
- Russia: 606k.
What Types of Schengen Visas Can You Apply For in 2025?
| Visa Type | Purpose | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | Airport Transit | Short transit in Schengen airport | No entry into Schengen Area |
| Type C | Short-Stay (Tourism, Business, Family go to) | Up to 90 days in 180-day interval | Single, double, or a number of-entry choices |
| Type D | Long-Stay (Study, Work, Residency) | Over 90 days | Stay in issuing nation, journey inside Schengen allowed as much as 90/180 days |
| LTV | Limited Territorial Validity | Varies | Valid just for specified Schengen international locations; used for emergencies or particular instances |
Schengen Expansion: Bulgaria & Romania Join the Club
As of March 31, 2024, Bulgaria and Romania have formally begun issuing Schengen visas, transferring away from nationwide ones. This means:
- No inner border checks for air and sea vacationers
- Unified visa processing for these two new Schengen members
- Greater flexibility for multi-nation journey plans inside Europe
This change boosts alternatives for vacationers, vacationers, college students, and digital nomads seeking to discover extra of Europe underneath one visa.
What This Means for You (New Applicants) in 2025?
1# Expect More Competition
Visa demand is rising quick. With 2025 projected to doubtlessly hit or surpass pre-COVID highs (17M+ functions in 2019), you’ll be competing in opposition to a world surge in mobility.
✅ 2# Your Chances of Approval May Be Better
Refusal charges are declining total, particularly in international locations like:
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- Russia: Dropped to 7.5% from 10.6%
- Iran: Now 26%, down from 30.3%
- Syria: A dramatic drop from 46% to 27%
But beware: some international locations noticed a rise in rejections, together with:
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- Bangladesh: Shot as much as 54.9% (from 43.3%)
- Nigeria: Now at 45.9% (from 40.8%).
3# Visa Digitalization Is Accelerating
2025 will witness the continued rollout of the EU’s Visa Digitalization System — a single on-line platform for all Schengen visa functions. This guarantees:
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- Faster processing
- Centralized application monitoring
- Biometric reuse for returning candidates.
Where to Expect the Longest Lines?
Countries like China, Türkiye, and India are nonetheless topping the charts in quantity. This could end result in:
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- Slower appointment availability
- Earlier application deadlines
- Higher scrutiny in documentation
Apply early, monitor native embassy updates, and use premium/VIP companies the place obtainable.
References
11.7 Million Visa Applications Filed in EU-Schengen Zone Last Year FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
