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As UAE residents gear up for summer getaways to cooler European destinations, securing a Schengen visa remains a major challenge, especially with appointment slots fully booked until August amid Eid and holiday demand. With temperatures soaring past 50°C in the UAE, the rush for European travel is high, but so are visa rejection rates.

According to the latest data from the European Commission, 14.8% of all Schengen visa applications in 2024 were rejected, with some countries recording rejection rates more than double the average. Here's a look at the top 10 Schengen countries most likely to reject your visa — crucial insight for those still deciding where to apply.

1. Malta – 38.5% Rejection Rate

Malta topped the list with the highest rejection rate. Of 45,578 applications, 16,905 were refused.

2. Estonia – 27.2%

Estonia received 12,125 applications, rejecting 3,291.

3. Belgium – 24.6%

Out of 255,564 applications, Belgium turned down 61,724.

4. Slovenia – 24.5%

Slovenia denied 4,417 of its 18,171 visa requests.

5. Sweden – 24.0%

Sweden processed 188,623 applications and rejected 44,576.

6. Denmark – 23.7%

Denmark rejected 31,013 of its 132,158 applications.

7. Croatia – 19.3%

Of 42,165 applications, 8,003 were refused.

8. Poland – 17.2%

Poland saw 19,277 rejections out of 111,538 applications.

9. France – 15.8%

Despite being the most popular, with over 3 million applications, France rejected 481,139.

10. Czech Republic – 15.8%

Out of 150,629 applications, 23,735 were denied by the Czech Republic.

With countries like Germany rolling back appeal rights for rejected visas, UAE travelers are increasingly considering non-Schengen destinations to avoid disappointment. Still, this data can help applicants make more strategic visa choices this summer.

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