In 2022, consulates of EU- and Schengen Associated Countries experienced a significant surge in short-stay visa applications, totaling over 7.5 million, marking a notable 258% increase from 2021’s 2.9 million. Despite this uptick, the figures remained below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, which recorded 17 million applications. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted demand, with only 2.4 million visas issued in 2021, sharply rising to 5.9 million in 2022 and marking a recovery toward pre-pandemic levels.
China’s visa applications showed a substantial increase from 27,458 in 2021 to 92,780 in 2022, elevating its rank from 23rd to 22nd. However, recent figures reveal a concerning trend of rising refusal rates in certain countries within the EU and Schengen Associated Countries. Belarus saw an increase from 1.1% refusals in 2021 to 1.9% in 2022, while Russia experienced a significant jump from 3.2% to 10.2% during the same period. Similarly, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, and Angola witnessed increases in refusal rates, highlighting potential challenges in the visa application process.
Globally, documentation issues contributed to a rise in overall refusal rates, reaching 17.9% in 2022 compared to 13.4% in 2021. This underscores the critical need for efficient and reliable services such as those offered by Persyllabus.
