Schengen Visa Approval Rates in 2024: Top Countries and Nationalities

In 2024, Schengen visa approval rates showed notable trends across member countries and applicant nationalities. Overall, Iceland led the pack with one of the highest approval rates, alongside a significant increase in visa applications compared to 2023.

Iceland Tops Schengen Visa Approvals in 2024

Iceland recorded a strong approval rate of 91.25% in 2024, approving the majority of visa applications received. The country saw a sharp rise in applications, processing 35,416 requests in 2024 compared to 22,541 in 2023 — a 57.1% increase year-on-year.

Other Schengen Countries with High Visa Approval Rates in 2024

Several other Schengen countries also maintained high visa approval percentages, making them attractive options for applicants this summer:

Slovakia: 89.25%

Italy: 88.72%

Romania: 88.36%

Switzerland: 88.12%

Hungary: 87.23%

Norway: 87.20%

Greece: 85.86%

Austria: 85.78%

Luxembourg: 85.65%

For context, the top 10 countries with the highest approval rates in 2023 included Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Nationalities Most Likely to Receive Schengen Visas in 2024

Approval rates also varied significantly depending on the applicant’s nationality. Interestingly, applicants from some African and Oceanian countries experienced the highest visa acceptance rates, particularly those with fewer overall applications.

The following nationalities had the highest Schengen visa approval rates in 2024:

Liberia: 97.6% approval (125 applications)

Vanuatu: 95.79% approval (261 applications)

Zambia: 88.87% approval (2,750 applications)

Botswana: 83.10% approval (1,633 applications)

Niger: 78.86% approval (2,460 applications)

Tajikistan: 60.54% approval (4,019 applications)

Burundi: 58.63% approval (3,735 applications)

Haiti: 52.02% approval (4,614 applications)

Guinea-Bissau: 43.84% approval (4,336 applications)

Comoros: 36.35% approval (2,853 applications)

Applicants from Liberia had the highest success rate, with nearly all 125 visa applications approved. Vanuatu’s consulates also showed strong approval numbers, granting visas to 250 out of 261 applicants.

Other countries like Zambia, Botswana, and Niger had thousands of applications with approval rates well above average. Lower approval rates for applicants from Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, and Haiti indicate the varying challenges faced by certain nationalities.

Conclusion

Understanding visa approval trends helps applicants plan better and identify Schengen countries with higher chances of successful visa issuance. Iceland and Slovakia remain top choices for applicants in 2024, while visa seekers from countries with high approval rates should feel encouraged to apply confidently this summer.