EU Migration and Homeaffairs
Visa applications reach 7.5 million in EU- and Schengen Associated Countries – a 258% increase to 2021

In 2022, the consulates of the EU- and Schengen Associated Countries received more than 7.5 million applications for short-stay visas. This is a 258% increase compared to 2021 (2.9 million) but still lower than the number of applications in 2019 (17 million). The COVID-19 pandemic had significant effects on the demand for Schengen visa applications worldwide, with 2.4 million visas being issued in 2021, compared to 5.9 million in 2022 and 15 million in 2019.
Number of visa applications lodged in the top five countries:
Country | Number of visas issued in 2021 | Number of visas issued in 2022 |
---|---|---|
Türkiye | 271 997 | 778 409 |
Russia | 536 241 | 687 239 |
India | 130 427 | 671 928 |
Morocco | 157 100 | 423 201 |
Algeria | 140 212 | 392 053 |
As for China: 27 458 in 2021; 92 780 in 2022 (ranked 22nd in 2022 instead of 23rd in 2021).
Recent figures show that the average percentage of refused visa applications in the EU and Schengen Associated Countries increased slightly in 2022 in certain countries.
Belarus: From 1.1% in 2021 vs 1.9% in 2022
Russia: 3.2% in 2021 vs 10.2% in 2022
Egypt: 17% in 2021 vs 18.8% in 2022
Cote d’Ivoire: 24.5% vs 2021 to 29.8% in 2022
Angola: 20.5% in 2021 vs. 26.3% in 2022
Worldwide, 17.9% of all visa applications were refused, while the percentage in 2021 was 13.4%.
Despite the overall increase in the number of applications, only 58.1% of the 5.9 million visas issued allowed for multiple entries into the Schengen area – a share that decreased compared to previous years (70.5% in 2021). In addition to the 5.9 million visas issued abroad, the Schengen States also issued 80 336 short stay visas directly at the external borders.
More information
Link: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/visa-applications-reach-75-million-eu-and-schengen-associated-countries-258-increase-2021-2023-05-12_en, dated May 23, 2023 2:27 pm