Morocco Surges in Schengen Visa Applications
In a remarkable display of international mobility, Morocco has emerged as one of the leading countries in requesting short-stay Schengen visas for the year 2025, with a staggering total of 620,000 applications submitted. This places Morocco in the elite company of nations such as China, Turkey, India, and Russia, all of which have shown a robust interest in traveling to Europe. The data, reported by the European Union's Directorate-General for Home Affairs and the European Commission, highlights Morocco's significant role in the global landscape of visa applications.
Globally, Schengen Area consulates have received nearly 12 million short-stay visa applications in 2025, marking a modest increase of 1.8% from the previous year, which recorded 11.7 million applications. Furthermore, this figure represents a notable rise of 15.5% compared to 2023, when only 10.3 million applications were noted. Despite this upward trend, the total number of applications remains below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, which saw approximately 17 million requests.
Visa Approval Rates and Trends
In 2025, over 10 million visas were granted, reflecting a 3% increase from 9.7 million in 2024, yet this is still considerably lower than the 15 million visas issued in 2019. The global refusal rate has stabilized at 14.8%, maintaining the same percentage as in 2024, although certain countries have experienced significant fluctuations. For instance, the refusal rates have decreased in Russia, Algeria, and Ethiopia, while countries like Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo have witnessed an alarming rise in refusal percentages.
Morocco's sustained presence in the top five countries for visa applications underscores the strong desire of its citizens to travel to the European continent. Alongside Morocco, the other leading nations include China with 1.8 million applications, Turkey with 1.25 million, India with 1.15 million, and Russia with 679,000 applications. This trend not only signifies the growing aspirations of Moroccan travelers but also reflects the intricate connections between Morocco and Europe, serving as a vital corridor for cultural and economic exchanges.
As reported by medias24.com.
