Maximise your chances of getting a Schengen visa: Where to apply in 2025
Understanding the rules, selecting the right country, and presenting a strong application can make all the difference for short-term travel across Europe
A Schengen visa grants the right to travel freely across 29 European countries and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is ideal for tourism, business trips, family visits, and other short-term travel.
However, obtaining a Schengen visa is not always easy. Success typically depends not only on submitting a complete and accurate set of documents but also on clearly justifying the purpose of your trip and choosing the right country for your application.
While Schengen countries follow similar visa requirements, each country has its own specifics – in processing times, approval rates, and the practice of issuing multiple-entry visas. As a result, the chances of obtaining a visa can vary significantly depending on where the application is submitted.
According to the experience of customers who worked with The Visa Services – a team specialising in visa support for over eight years – a clear positive trend is observed: many applicants who were previously denied when applying independently successfully obtained their visas with expert assistance.
Here is what the statistics show among The Visa Services' customers: for example, in 2023, the Schengen visa refusal rate for Indian citizens was 34%, decreasing to 29% in 2024. In 2025, thanks to the professional support of The Visa Services team, this figure continues to steadily decline.
Egyptian citizens show even stronger positive dynamics: the refusal rate dropped from 24% in 2023 to 21% in 2024, with a continued downward trend in 2025.
Why Schengen visa applications get rejected and how to avoid it
One of the most common reasons for a Schengen visa refusal is choosing a country for submission based on available appointment slots rather than visa approval policies. Countries like Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia apply particularly strict checks on documents and travel purposes, leading to a higher refusal rate for Russian applicants and, in some cases, even resulting in a travel ban simply for submitting an application.
In addition, there are certain "difficult" passports for which obtaining a Schengen visa is even more challenging. Citizens of countries such as Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, and several others often face significantly higher refusal rates and stricter scrutiny during the visa application process. The Visa Services team works extensively with applicants holding such passports and significantly increases their chances of obtaining a Schengen visa. Their experts understand the specific requirements and consular expectations for each nationality, which ensures a much higher success rate – even in the most complex cases.
In the UAE, the situation has its own specifics: for expats who have recently relocated, previous travel history and past visas often carry little weight. In such cases, it becomes crucial to demonstrate strong ties to the Emirates by providing employment verification, property ownership documents, and proof of financial stability.
Carefully preparing a complete and well-organised application package significantly increases the chances of visa approval. The team at The Visa Services is highly experienced in navigating these nuances, anticipating what visa officers are looking for, and helping applicants gain a serious advantage.
Factors influencing visa approval
Several factors influence the outcome of a Schengen visa application and the decision to grant a visa:
appropriate country matching the applicant's profile;
a properly compiled and complete set of documents;
additional supporting documents that strengthen the applicant's profile (evidence of ties to the country of residence, financial stability, travel itinerary, etc.);
previous travel history (especially important is the absence of visa violations);
the purpose and duration of the planned trip.
It is important to note that each country has its own internal quotas and seasonal variations. Therefore, the same case can have different outcomes depending on the chosen consulate.
Myths about Schengen visas
Myth 1:"If the visa is issued by the French consulate, you must fly to France."
Truth: Not true. According to the rules, the visa must be issued by the country where you plan to spend the most time, not necessarily the country of first entry. This means you can enter the Schengen Area through any country, as long as your travel route makes sense.
Myth 2:"A single-entry visa allows you to visit only one country."
Truth: Incorrect. A single-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area once, but once inside, you are free to travel between countries without restrictions. For example, you can fly to Italy, then travel to France, Belgium, and Germany – all on one single-entry visa. The only condition is that you must stay within the Schengen Area: if you, for example, fly to Turkey, you will not be able to re-enter the Schengen Area on the same visa. Additionally, be aware that certain types of travel within the Schengen Area may technically count as exiting the zone. For instance, if you travel between two cities in Italy by ferry that crosses international waters (rather than by land), it may be considered as leaving the Schengen Area, and you would not be allowed to re-enter Europe using the same single-entry visa.
Many applicants overlook these nuances when applying on their own, but such mistakes can later affect their chances of obtaining a visa.
Personalised approach – The decisive factor
There are no two identical cases – the decision to grant a Schengen visa can be influenced by a variety of factors: passport type, purpose of the trip, visa history, place of employment, income level, property ownership, spouse's nationality, as well as the travel route and dates. This is why it is essential not only to gather a standard set of documents but to carefully craft an individualized application strategy.
For over eight years, the experts at The Visa Services have been assisting customers with:
selecting the optimal country for application based on the applicant's profile;
collecting and correctly preparing the required documentation;
strengthening the case with additional supporting evidence;
navigating visa quotas, seasonal variations, and recent rule changes;
choosing the right travel route and timing to minimize the risk of refusal.
In 2025, consulates have become even more selective, and visa rules are constantly evolving. Refusal statistics, quotas, seasonal allowances, and country priorities are regularly reviewed. In such conditions, following a generic template is risky, especially if you have a non-standard case.
The team of specialists at The Visa Services closely monitors all relevant changes, understands the nuances of visa applications at each specific consulate, and tailors a personalised strategy for each customer, significantly increasing their chances of visa approval.
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