Which countries are the easiest to obtain a Schengen visa from?
Where is the easiest country to get a short-stay Schengen Visa?
- In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications.
It also receives fewer applications than countries such as Germany or France, as they are extremely popular with tourists and business travellers, meaning a shorter wait for an appointment and less time before hearing if your application has been accepted
- Estonia, which also receives relatively few requests, is the next easiest, granting 98.4 percent of applications.
- Finland is next, with 98.3 percent, but it receives a higher volume of visa requests
- Other countries with comparatively high rates of applications granted are Iceland, Latvia, and Poland.
As for the most difficult, Belgium leads the way with a relatively high 16.9% of applications refused – the highest rate anywhere in the Schengen Area – but this still means that 83.1% of applicants are issued with a Schengen Visa. Next is Malta, with 14.8% refused, followed by Sweden with 10.3%, Portugal on 10.1%, France with 9.6 %, and Norway with a rate of 8.7%. So, if you can plan your trip around traveling to these countries, to maximise your chances of receiving a Schengen Visa, you may want to travel and spend time in a neighbouring nation before entering.
But while a Schengen Visa allows you to travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries within the 90 days a short-stay visa is valid for – you must apply for your visa in the country where you intend to spend the bulk of your trip.
How long does it take to get a Schengen Visa?
The processing time for a Schengen visa is usually around 15 days but can be up to 60 days in certain circumstances – so you should try and leave this amount of time for your application to be processed.
The easiest places to apply for a Schengen Visa from different countries:
I’m applying for a Schengen Visa from India. Which countries are the easiest to apply to?
Indian passport holders are welcome in Europe, with more than 10 million Indians visiting Schengen countries each year – and more than a million tourist visas issued in 2018.
The easiest countries to apply to are as above, although some countries have embassies or consulates that do not issue visas, including Greece, Iceland, Slovenia, and Slovakia. They are represented in these matters by another embassy. You should also check the country you want to travel to has a consulate or visa application center, as some countries may not provide these services in nearby towns or cities.
I’m applying for a Schengen Visa from the Philippines. Which countries are most likely to grant my request?
More than 170,000 Schengen Visa applications were received from the Philippines in 2017, with more than 80% approved.
Many countries, including Belgium, Austria, and France, have outsourced their visa applications process to VFSGlobal, who have centers in Manila and Cebu. Like India, some countries are represented by other countries’ consulates on visa matters. For example, Norway’s embassy represents Finland and Estonia.
I’m applying for a Schengen Visa from the United Arab Emirates. Which countries are most likely to grant my request?
Thanks to a visa waiver agreement, U.A.E. passport holders who have not previously been refused a visa have been able to travel to Schengen Area countries. Those who are non-U.A.E. and non-Schengen nationals living in the country, will need to apply to the relevant consulate, embassy or visa application center in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Is there anything else I need to know about where to find the easiest Schengen Visa?
If you want to stay in a country in the Schengen Area, you will need to prove you have means of subsistence when applying for your Schengen Visa. This will prove you have the means to support yourself during your stay and are financially able to cope with any costs associated with your visit.
There’s no need to worry too much, as the financial requirements are not too difficult to pass, but they do vary from country to country – with different levels of means of subsistence applying in each Schengen state. As such, some states’ requirements will be easier to meet than others.
Latvia, for example, can require you to only have €14 for each day of your stay, while neighbouring Estonia requires you to have €100 for each day that you stay in the country. Most countries need you to prove you have around €50 per day of your trip – which you can prove by submitting bank statements.
Long-term work visas
Although the requirements for short-stay visas are relatively uniform across the Schengen states, the requirements for long-term work visas vary hugely. Many countries impose strict criteria on who can come to live and work there – requiring applicants to prove they have either high-level qualifications or skills that are needed in their economy. You should check the requirements of your work visa before applying to avoid disappointment.
How can AXA help me obtain my Schengen Visa?
AXA provides low-cost Schengen Visa travel insurance from €20 per week of your trip that meets the €30,000 minimum coverage you need to obtain your visa. This will provide you with coverage for any medical emergencies, as well as repatriation and assistance. More comprehensive coverage is available from AXA from €30 per week. This covers problems such as lost documents or important items. Multi Trip insurance is available from €298 per year – perfect for regular travelers.
Easiest European Countries to Get a Visa According to 2021 Data
All countries have specific visa requirements that you must meet in order to enter your desired destination. Therefore, all the paperwork and numerous other required documents or information make the visa application process a time-consuming and frustrating process. Planning ahead is always a good idea.
In the last year, Schengen states have issued over 2.4 million visas for short stays. While the processing time can vary, waiting for a long time and not receiving a positive answer is not a good feeling.
Use this list to take a look at the statistics of the easiest European countries to get a visa, which will ultimately make your application process easier and smoother.
Which Are the Easiest European Countries to Get a Visa?
The easiest European countries to get a visa from are:
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- Finland
- Iceland
- Luxembourg
- Slovakia
- Latvia
- Czech Republic
The list is a representation of the year 2021.
1. Lithuania
Lithuania is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa. In 2021, 98.7% of applications were granted, meaning only 2.8% of visa applications were rejected.
For example, from a total of 3,481 visa applications from Kazakhstan, 3,090 were issued, including airport transit visas, multiple entry visas, and long-term visas.. Armenian citizens rank second on the list, with the highest number of people who have applied for a Lithuanian visa in 2021. Of 449 applications, 436 were issued. The rate for non-issued ATVs and uniform visas is only 1,36%.
2. Estonia
Estonia is next on the list of the easiest countries to get a visa in Europe. Estonia has a visa approval rate of 98.4%. Schengen Visa Statistics tell us that from a total of 40,657 applicants, 38,389 were granted an Estonian visa in 2021. The country with the most applicants is Russia; from 23,268 applications, 22,856 were granted.
The Estonian visa processing time normally takes up to 15 days but may take longer in extreme situations.
3. Finland
The Nordic country, Finland, is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa. Although Finland receives a high number of applications yearly, from a total of 61,018 visa applications in 2021, 55,882 of them were granted. In general, Finland has an approval rate of 98,3%.
A total of 103 states, which are excluded from visa-free to Finland/the Schengen area, are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Finland. Third-party nationals from Kosovo and Palestine are also required to apply for a Schengen visa.
4. Iceland
If you are looking to apply for a visa to a country that won’t keep you waiting on the status of your application, then Iceland is the perfect place. From a total of 2,735 applicants, 2,410 were granted visas to visit Nordic Island. Applicants who applied for an Icelandic visa in the New Delhi consulate are at the receiving end of the highest rate of non-issued ATVs and uniform visas.
The type of Schengen visa you are supposed to apply for depends on the reason for your visit.
5. Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa, with one of the lowest rejection rates, specifically 1.3%. The total number of applications in 2021 was 2,384, from which 2,296 were issued. While the rejection rate is not high, the number of applicants is relatively low as well, making Luxembourg a good option for Schengen visa applicants. So whether you are looking to visit Luxembourg and all it has to offer or visit its neighbouring countries, Germany, Belgium, and France, your visa is unlikely to get rejected.
6. Slovakia
Slovakia is ranked as the fifth Schengen country with the least visa applications. However, it is also one of the easiest European countries to get a visa. In 2021, 3,886 of those who applied at the Slovak embassy 3,806 were granted a visa.
On the other hand, according to Schengen Visa Statistics, the Slovak Embassy in Uzbekistan has the highest rate of total ATVs and uniform visas not issued, specifically 23.91%.
7. Latvia
Latvia, the third one of the Baltic states, registers a high number of visa applications granted as well. As per 2021, 97,9% of applications were issued, making Latvia one of the easiest European countries to get a visa. In general, twenty-one Latvian consulates received a total number of 13,764 visa applications, from which 16,182 were issued, including multiple Airport transit visas, multiple entry visas, and limited territorial entry visas.
General required documents for Latvian Schengen Visa do not necessarily differ from other countries; however other documents are required to be attached to your application accordingly, all depending on the purpose of your application.
8. Czech Republic
Czechia has one of the lowest rejection rates when it comes to visa applications, with only a 3,3% refusal rate. This makes the Czech Republic one of the easiest European countries to get a visa.
From the total number of 207,470 applicants, 200,456 of them received a positive answer regarding their application status in 2021. Processing time for Czech Schengen Visa is usually 15 days, although it might take more time in certain cases.
10 Easiest Schengen Countries to Obtain a Schengen Visa
If you have been pondering with the idea of visiting the Schengen Area – you are not alone. Worldwide applications fly over Schengen countries’ Embassies daily, requiring profound analyzing of documents and the purposes of travel.
Assuming you have already become familiar with the Schengen Visa types and the required documents for that matter, the brooding portion you may be left with could be the perplexity of the issuing rates statistics. Presumably baffled with the idea of where to apply and not receive a rejection notice!
Herein, as obviously loud and clear to you – is where we encounter – in the listing of rates starting by the highest percentage. These statistics should help you in augmenting your horizon and conceiving smarter decisions when ready to apply!
Starting from the leading country, you will be introduced separately and gradually down to the last of the top 10 Schengen Area countries with the highest rate of Schengen visas issued during year 2018.
The easiest Schengen countries to apply for a Schengen visa from, are as follows:
Lithuania
Lithuania is the easiest country to get a Schengen visa from, with only 1.3% of the short-term applications rejected in 2018. In total, 98.7% of the applicants for a Schengen Visa to Lithuania received a positive answer on their application.
Moreover, Lithuania is placed somewhere in the middle of the table regarding the total number of short-term visa applications received. This also means you will have to wait less to make an appointment. Unlike for countries as Germany and France, when in many countries applicants need to make an appointment several months ahead of their planned trip to Schengen.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Lithuania?
> Check Lithunania visa and entry requirements
Estonia
Another Baltic country is listed among the easiest to get a visa from, according to the 2018 rejection rates. Only 1.6% of the applications lodged at the Estonian embassies abroad were turned down, while the rest 98.4% were granted with a short-term visa to the Schengen Area.
In addition, Estonia is the sixth Schengen country with least visa applications received, which means its embassies are less crowded.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Estonia?
> Check Estonian visa and entry requirements
Finland
The Northern European country of Finland, despite the high number of visa applications it receives annually, remains an easy Schengen country to get a visa from. Rejecting only 1.7% of the applications its consulates abroad received, you have high chances to get a Schengen Visa to Finland.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Finland?
> Check Finland visa and entry requirements
Iceland
With the least Schengen Visa applications received in 2018, and only 1.7% of the applications rejected, Iceland is a wonderful way to get a visa to the Schengen Area. Yet, you are advised to first check where you need to apply, since Iceland is mostly represented by other countries, and does not have that many consulates of its own. This means that if the consulate representing Iceland is crowded, you will need to wait a bit more for an appointment.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Iceland?
> Check Iceland visa and entry requirements
Latvia
Latvia is the fifth Schengen country from which is easier to get a visa to Schengen. This makes all three Baltic countries ideal for Schengen visa application. With 97.9% of the applications received, and only 2.1% rejected, you have quite a good chance to get a visa from this country.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Latvia?
> Check Latvian visa and entry requirements
Poland
The Republic of Poland is also an easier country to get a visa from. Despite a 0.9 difference with Latvia, those applying for a Schengen visa to Poland have a 97% chance of getting a positive answer. The Central European country had a low rate of visa rejection of only 3%.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Poland?
> Check Poland visa and entry requirements
Luxembourg
The small landlocked country of Luxembourg may be your way to Schengen, in particular if you wish to visit its neighboring countries, France, Germany and Belgium. With a rejection rate of only 3.7% Luxembourg, which is also the second country with least applications received, looks like a good deal for Schengen visa applicants.
Slovakia
All those lodging a Schengen visa application at a Slovak consulate have a 95.8% chance of being approved. In 2018, the Slovak embassies abroad rejected 4.2% of the 26,797 applications received, what makes it the fifth Schengen country with least applications.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Slovakia?
> Check Slovak visa and entry requirements
Czech Republic
Those applying for a short-term visa to the Czech Republic have a higher chance of getting rejected, compared to the ½ of what previously was Czechoslovakia (yes, we’re talking about Slovakia). Yet, with an approval rate of 95.3%, you still have a very high chance of getting a positive answer on your application.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Czechia?
> Check Czechia visa and entry requirements
Greece
While in 2014 Greece had a rejection rate of only 2%, things have changed a bit. Now, if you apply for a Germany Schengen visa, you have a chance of 4.9% to be rejected. Last year, the Greek embassies abroad approved 95.1% of the applications received. Greece is the fifth most favorite country for those intending to visit the Schengen area for short-term stays, with 855,285 applications received last year.
Do you want to apply for a visa to Greece?
> Check Greek visa and entry requirements
Source https://www.axa-schengen.com/en/easiest-country-to-obtain-a-Schengen-Visa-from
Source https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/easiest-european-countries-to-get-a-visa-according-to-2021-data/
Source https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/10-easiest-schengen-countries-to-obtain-a-schengen-visa/