Dubai: As UAE residents gear up for summer travel to escape soaring temperatures—reaching as high as 50.4°C recently—European destinations remain a top choice. But for many, the excitement of a European holiday hinges on securing a Schengen visa amidst tight appointment availability and increasing rejection rates.
According to the latest figures from the European Commission, over 11.7 million Schengen visa applications were submitted in 2024, of which 14.8 percent were rejected. Due to high seasonal demand, appointment slots in the UAE are already fully booked until August, making timely visa processing more challenging than ever.
Adding to the hurdles, Germany has discontinued its global visa remonstration procedure, meaning rejected applicants can no longer appeal the decision. As a result, many travellers are considering non-Schengen alternatives—but all hope isn’t lost for Europe-bound journeys.
To boost your chances of success, avoid applying through countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates. Here’s a look at the top 10 Schengen countries most likely to reject your visa application in 2024:
1. Malta
- Rejection rate: 38.5%
- Applications received: 45,578
- Applications rejected: 16,905
2. Estonia
- Rejection rate: 27.2%
- Applications received: 12,125
- Applications rejected: 3,291
3. Belgium
- Rejection rate: 24.6%
- Applications received: 255,564
- Applications rejected: 61,724
4. Slovenia
- Rejection rate: 24.5%
- Applications received: 18,171
- Applications rejected: 4,417
5. Sweden
- Rejection rate: 24.0%
- Applications received: 188,623
- Applications rejected: 44,576
6. Denmark
- Rejection rate: 23.7%
- Applications received: 132,158
- Applications rejected: 31,013
7. Croatia
- Rejection rate: 19.3%
- Applications received: 42,165
- Applications rejected: 8,003
8. Poland
- Rejection rate: 17.2%
- Applications received: 111,538
- Applications rejected: 19,277
9. France
- Rejection rate: 15.8%
- Applications received: 3,072,728 (highest volume)
- Applications rejected: 481,139
10. Czech Republic
- Rejection rate: 15.8%
- Applications received: 150,629
- Applications rejected: 23,735
To improve your odds, consider applying through countries with lower rejection rates and ensure your documentation is complete and error-free. With strategic planning and early preparation, a European summer getaway is still within reach.
