According to the most recent Schengen Visa data, France has emerged as the top choice for Indian visitors to Europe. However, as we previously stated that statistics showed that France had the highest rate of visa rejections among Schengen nations in 2022.
Understanding Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa refers to a passport-free zone in the European Union that encompasses most European countries. It is the largest free travel area globally. This short-stay visa permits individuals to travel to any member country of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
In 2022, France witnessed a staggering 27,681 visa rejections, accounting for 20.12 per cent of all applications. Spain followed closely with 14,852 visa rejections, making up 18.5 per cent of the total.
Switzerland Shows Low Rejection Rate
Switzerland had a relatively low rejection rate of 13.2 per cent. However, due to the high volume of applications, the country still saw a significant number of visa denials, totalling 13,984 rejections. Germany had the lowest rejection rate in 2022, standing at 11.33 per cent, with 8,615 visas being rejected.
Top Schengen Destinations for Indian Travelers
The report also highlighted the five most popular Schengen destinations for Indian travellers in 2022. France led the pack with 138,000 visa applications, followed by Switzerland with 106,000, Spain with 80,098, Germany with 76,352, and the Netherlands with 52,616 applications
