Kazakhstan Sees 10-Year High in Schengen Visa Applications — Germany Tops List
ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Schengen visa applications from Kazakhstan surged to their highest level in a decade in 2024, with nearly 180,000 applications filed — a 12.8% increase from the previous year. The figures, released by SchengenVisaInfo, highlight a strong rebound in international travel and a growing interest in Europe among Kazakh citizens.
Kazakhstan ranked 16th globally for total Schengen visa requests, contributing 1.54% of all applications worldwide. Germany led as the top destination, receiving 45,094 applications from Kazakh travelers, followed by Italy, Spain, and France. In stark contrast, the Netherlands recorded only 20 applications — the lowest among Schengen countries.
While the approval rate stayed high at 91.01%, the number of rejections rose notably. A total of 16,134 applications were denied in 2024, representing a 13% increase compared to 2023. Germany, despite being the most popular destination, also led in rejections with 6,921 denials. Lithuania and Croatia stood out for their particularly high rejection rates of 15.68% and 81.57%, respectively. Meanwhile, Bulgaria had an unusual approval rate exceeding 122%, likely due to the issuance of long-term or multi-entry visas.
Kazakh nationals were granted a total of 163,511 Schengen visas in 2024. On a per capita basis, this translates to 8.72 approved visas per 1,000 residents, with rejections affecting 0.86 per 1,000.
Visa-related expenses were also significant. Kazakh citizens spent an estimated €14.3 million (US$15.4 million) on Schengen visa applications last year, including €1.3 million (US$1.4 million) on rejected applications. Since 2014, the EU has collected over €111.9 million (US$121.6 million) in fees from Kazakh applicants alone.
The sharp decline in applications between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19 — averaging just over 53,000 annually — underscores the scale of the post-pandemic recovery. Even during the pandemic years, Germany consistently remained the top destination for Kazakh travelers.
As of 2025, Kazakh citizens still need visas to enter the Schengen Area. Despite increasing rejection rates, the steady growth in applications highlights Europe’s continued appeal for Kazakhs pursuing tourism, education, and business opportunities.
Source: SchengenVisaInfo
