To obtain a Schengen visa: 5 countries to avoid

Are you interested in traveling to Europe? Me too! But before you pack your bags, you often have to go through the "Schengen visa" box, and that's where things can get complicated. I recently did some research and discovered that some countries are more picky than others when it comes to issuing this precious passport. If you want to put all the odds on your side, here are five countries that you should perhaps avoid when applying.

A brief overview of the Schengen system

Before getting into the heart of the matter, it seems important to me to recall what exactly space is. Schengen. Created in 1995, this area currently includes 27 European countries that have agreed to allow the free movement of people within their common borders. For nationals of many non-EU countries, obtaining a Schengen visa is mandatory to enter this area.

The Schengen visa is a document that allows its holder to move freely within the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. It is a valuable sesame for many travelers, whether they come for tourism, business or other reasons.

Why do some countries refuse more visas than others?

Before revealing the list to you, it is good to understand why some countries are stricter:

1. Number of requests received The fewer applications a country receives, the more selective it can afford to be.
2. Internal policies : Security or immigration concerns may influence decisions.
3. Quality of files : A poorly prepared application is more likely to be rejected.
4. Diplomatic relations : Tensions between countries can play a role.

Read more about this article: Reasons for refusal of Schengen visa.

Come on, let's get to the heart of the matter!

The five countries to avoid when obtaining a Schengen visa

According to the statistics published by the Schengen Area for the year 2023, some countries stand out for their particularly high refusal rates. I will now introduce these countries to you, starting with the one with the highest refusal rate.

Malta: the island with difficult visas

Malta, a small Mediterranean island state, tops the list of countries with the strictest Schengen visa requirements. In 2023, out of 33,306 visa applications received, no fewer than 12,261 were rejected, a staggering rejection rate of 37,60%.

What particularly strikes me in the case of Malta is the disparity in refusal rates according to nationality. Algerian applicants, for example, suffered an astronomical refusal rate of 90.35%. These figures raise many questions about the criteria for assessing applications and about possible discrimination based on nationality.

• High refusal rate : In 2023, Malta refused 37,600 Schengen visa applications. Out of 33,306 applications, 12,261 were rejected.
• Algerian applicants particularly affected : With a refusal rate of 90.35%, Algerians have had difficulty obtaining their visa for Malta.

I wonder if Malta's geographical position, on the southern border of Europe, could partly explain this severity. The island is indeed on the front line facing migratory flows from North Africa, which could encourage the authorities to adopt a more restrictive policy.

Estonia: Baltic austerity

Estonia, a Baltic country located in north-eastern Europe, stands out with an overall refusal rate of 61.4%. Out of 4,347 applications received, more than half received a negative response. These figures concern me because they are significantly higher than the European average.

• Impressive refusal rate : More than 61.4 % of applications were refused in 2023. Out of 4,347 applications, the majority did not obtain the precious sesame.
• Most affected nationalities : Egyptians have a refusal rate of 59.5 %. Emiratis and Indians follow closely with rates of 57.9 % and 49.7 %.

Here again, there are significant disparities according to nationality. Egyptian applicants are the most affected, with a refusal rate of 59.5%. Nationals of the United Arab Emirates and India are not far behind, with respective refusal rates of 57.9% and 49.7%.

Conversely, Chinese applicants seem to receive more favourable treatment, with a refusal rate of only 7.3%. This notable difference leads me to wonder about the criteria taken into account by the Estonian authorities. Do diplomatic and economic relations play a role in these decisions?

Belgium: in the heart of Europe, but not easy to access

Belgium, which hosts the European institutions, might seem more open at first glance. However, it ranks third among the strictest countries, with an overall refusal rate of 26.6%. Out of 225,951 applications, 60,148 were rejected.

• A quarter of requests refused : In 2023, 26.6 % of applications were rejected. Out of 225,951 applications, 60,148 were unsuccessful.
• Most rejected nationalities : The Senegalese (67.8 %), the Angolans (66.44 %) and the Nigerians (62.45 %) encountered the most difficulties.

What strikes me in the case of Belgium is the particular severity towards certain African nationalities. The Senegalese (67.8% refusals), the Angolans (66.44%) and the Nigerians (62.45%) are the hardest hit.

I wonder if this severity could be linked to concerns about illegal immigration or overstaying. Could Belgium, as host country to many international institutions, be concerned about an influx of asylum seekers?

Sweden: Nordic rigour

Sweden, often seen as an open and progressive country, has a Schengen visa refusal rate of 23.11%. In 2023, 60,148 out of 260,380 applications were rejected.

• 23.1 % refusal : Of the applications received in 2023, almost a quarter were rejected.
• Nationalities with the most refusals : Iranians (76.65 %), Pakistanis (69.49 %) and Lebanese (66.21 %) had the most difficulty.

What catches my attention in the Swedish case is the particular severity towards certain nationalities from the Middle East and South Asia. Iranians are the most affected, with a staggering refusal rate of 76,65%. Pakistanis and Lebanese follow closely, with refusal rates of 69,49% and 66,21% respectively.

These figures challenge me and make me wonder about the reasons for this severity. Has Sweden tightened its migration policy following the influx of refugees it has experienced in recent years? Or do these high rates reflect specific concerns about certain countries?

Denmark: The Scandinavian Closure

Denmark closes this top 5 of the strictest countries in terms of Schengen visas. In 2023, the country received 107,872 visa applications, of which 21,509 were rejected, i.e. a refusal rate of 21.2%.

• 21.2 % refusal : In 2023, out of 107,872 requests, 21,509 were refused.
• Special case : Moroccans had a refusal rate of 100 %, but there were only two requests.

What strikes me in the Danish case is the refusal rate of 100% for Moroccan applicants. Of course, this figure should be put into perspective because it only concerns two applications, but it is nevertheless intriguing.

Iranians and Pakistanis also face very high refusal rates, at 76,65% and 69,49% respectively. These figures seem to indicate a particularly restrictive policy towards certain nationalities.

Trend analysis

Looking at this data, several trends emerge that give me food for thought.

Geography plays a role

I note that among the five strictest countries, three are located on the external borders of the Schengen area: Malta to the south, Estonia to the east, and Denmark to the north. This geographical position could partly explain their increased severity. These countries are indeed on the front line facing migratory flows and could therefore adopt a more restrictive approach for the sake of border control.

Striking disparities according to nationalities

What strikes me most about these statistics is the huge disparity in refusal rates depending on the nationality of the applicants. Some countries seem to be systematically disadvantaged, regardless of the Schengen destination. Nationals of countries such as Iran, Pakistan, or certain African countries face particularly high refusal rates.

These disparities raise questions about the fairness of the system and the criteria for assessing applications. Are there implicit biases at work? Or do these rates reflect objective realities in terms of migration risks?

The impact of diplomatic and economic relations

I can’t help but notice that some countries, especially China, seem to be getting more favourable treatment. This leads me to wonder about the influence of diplomatic and economic relations in the visa process. Do countries with strong economic ties to Europe get preferential treatment for their nationals?

The paradox of fortress Europe

These figures highlight a paradox that troubles me. On the one hand, Europe wants to be an area of free movement and advocates values of openness. On the other, it erects ever higher barriers for nationals of certain countries.

I understand the need to control borders and prevent illegal immigration. However, I wonder about the long-term impact of these restrictive policies. Could they not harm Europe's image in the world and hamper cultural and economic exchanges?