The Schengen area consists of 27 European countries that have abolished their internal borders to allow unrestricted and free movement for people. This was done to combat crime, enhance police cooperation, and strengthen the common justice system. This area covers most European Union countries except for Ireland. It also includes other countries that will soon become part of the Schengen area, including Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. Although some countries like Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland are not part of the European Union, they are also considered to be part of the Schengen area.
Countries to Easily Get a Schengen Visa
In general, visa requirements vary from one country to another, and it is necessary for those who wish to travel to these countries to check the required requirements. Therefore, applying for a visa can be a challenging and time-consuming experience and may be frustrating. Therefore, it is recommended to think and plan ahead.
Schengen countries tend to issue many visas each year. The processing time generally varies by country, and the waiting period varies accordingly. However, there are some countries where obtaining a visa is considered easy. Let's see which country is the easiest to obtain a Schengen visa. The following list represents trends in 2023.
1. Lithuania
The Easiest Country to Get a Schengen Visa One of the easiest countries to get a visa in Europe is Lithuania. According to reports in 2021, 98.7% of applicants who applied for a visa were granted the visa, meaning that only 2.8% of applications were rejected. This means that obtaining a visa for Lithuania and a work permit in the Schengen area is very easy.
2. Estonia
The second easiest country in Europe to get a visa is Estonia. The approval rate for an Estonian visa is 90.4%, which is slightly different from Lithuania. According to Schengen visa statistics, about 40,657 people applied for an Estonian visa in 2021, and the visa was granted to about 38,389 people. Estonia received the largest number of visa applications from Russia. About 23,268 people applied for an Estonian visa from Russia, and 22,856 of these applications were accepted. The general process of obtaining a visa from Estonia takes only about 15 days, but in emergency cases, it may take longer.
3. Finland
Another country in Europe where you can easily get a visa is Finland. It is actually one of the easiest Nordic countries, if not the easiest, to get a visa for. While Finland receives a large number of applications every year, it generally accepts and approves many of them. According to 2021 statistics, Finland received about 61,018 visa applications, and about 55,882 of them were accepted. This makes the visa acceptance rate in Finland about 98.3%.
There is a group of 103 countries in the world that are excluded from the visa-free Schengen area program and can apply for a Schengen visa to Finland. Other countries like third nationalities from Palestine and Kosovo also need to apply for a Schengen visa.
4. Iceland
If you want to apply for a visa to a country that will not test your patience, Iceland should be on your priority list. In 2021, about 2,735 Iceland visa applications were received, and 2,410 were successfully accepted. This is a very popular travel destination for Indians, with the largest number of applications received in 2021 from the New Delhi consulate.
The type of Schengen visa you should apply for and receive depends on the reason that drives you to visit these island countries.
The type of Schengen visa you should apply for depends on the reason for your visit.
5. Luxembourg
Another European country with a flexible visa is Luxembourg. Getting a Luxembourg visa is easy because the country has a very low visa rejection rate, with a rate of only 1.3%. According to 2021 data, Luxembourg received about 2,384 visa applications in 2021, and among them, about 2,296 applicants were successful. There are two factors that make Luxembourg ideal for you:
- Very low rejection rate.
- Low number of applicants.
You can visit Luxembourg and then travel to all neighboring countries, including France, Germany, and Belgium. Make sure your visa has very little chance of being rejected.
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6. Slovakia
Slovakia receives one of the lowest numbers of visa applications every year, but it is also considered one of the easiest countries in Europe to get a visa. According to 2021 figures, 3,886 people applied for a Slovak visa, and 3,806 people were granted a visa. While it is not a particularly popular destination, Slovakia can definitely bring a breath of fresh air into your life.
7. Latvia
One of the three Baltic countries, Latvia receives many visa applications every year. Another factor that makes Latvia a golden destination for Schengen visa seekers is that it has a very low rejection rate. Latvian Schengen visa does not require many different documents, but you should submit them in the right order according to the instructions."
