Schengen Visa Updates: Easiest Countries, New Transit Rules, and Big System Changes

Iceland Tops Schengen Visa Approval Rankings in 2024

In 2024, Iceland approves over 91% of all Schengen visa applications it receives. It remains the easiest country for Schengen visas, followed by Slovakia and Italy.

Iceland handled 35,416 applications, up 57% compared to the year before. Schengen states approved just over half of all visa applications filed in 2024.

Slovakia approved 89.25% of applications, ranking second. Italy closely followed with an 88.72% approval rate.

Other easy countries for visas included Romania, Switzerland, and Hungary. Austria, Norway, and Luxembourg also showed high approval rates above 85%.

Applicants From These Countries Had the Best Chances

Liberian applicants enjoyed a 97.6% approval rate in 2024. Vanuatu had a similarly high success rate at 95.79%.

Botswana, Zambia, and Niger also ranked among the most successful applicants. Most top-ranked countries had lower application volumes overall.

Spain Imposes New Transit Visa Rule for Russians

From mid-July, 2025, Russians must hold an airport transit visa for Spain. This rule applies only to Russian ordinary passport holders without existing visas or EU residency.

Transit times in Spanish airports must not exceed 24 hours. Exemptions include Schengen visa holders and EU residents.

France Automates Visa Appointments in Morocco

TLScontact rolls out automated booking in five Moroccan cities. The system targets fraud and improves transparency for Schengen visa applicants.

Applicants in Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Oujda, and Fez now receive randomly assigned appointments. Bots and intermediaries can no longer hijack and resell appointment slots.

Cyprus Aims for Schengen Membership by 2026

Cypriot President Christodoulides confirms the country’s goal to join Schengen by 2026. Technical work and diplomatic talks are already underway.

EU funds support border security, migration systems, and police cooperation. Joining Schengen would remove internal border checks and boost travel freedom.