Belgium outpaced other Schengen countries in visa approvals for Pakistani applicants in 2025, according to the latest European Union (EU) visa report, which highlighted a stark contrast between Belgium and Austria’s visa issuance trends.
The report showed that Austria received 2,543 applications for uniform Schengen visas from Pakistani citizens last year. However, only 636 visas were approved, including 82 multiple-entry visas, while four visas with Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) were issued. Austria rejected 1,758 applications, resulting in a high refusal rate of 73.3 per cent.
LTV visas permit travel only within Austria or a limited number of specifically designated Schengen countries.
In comparison, Belgium processed 4,987 visa applications from Pakistani nationals and approved 2,032 of them. The approved visas included 517 multiple-entry permits, while 48 LTV visas were also issued. Belgian authorities rejected 2,807 applications, giving the country a lower refusal rate of 57.4 per cent.
The figures indicate that Belgium granted significantly more visas to Pakistani applicants both in terms of total approvals and approval rates, making it one of the most favourable Schengen destinations for Pakistani travellers in 2025. Austria, despite handling fewer applications, maintained a considerably stricter visa policy.
Meanwhile, EU and Schengen-associated consulates worldwide received nearly 12 million short-stay visa applications in 2025, representing a 1.8 per cent increase compared to 2024 and a 15.5 per cent rise from 2023, according to data released by the European Commission.
Despite the growth, application numbers remained below the pre-pandemic level of 17 million recorded in 2019.
More than 10 million visas were issued globally in 2025, up 3 per cent from the previous year. However, the total still fell short of the 15 million visas granted in 2019. The overall Schengen visa refusal rate remained unchanged at 14.8 per cent, although individual countries experienced notable fluctuations.
Refusal rates declined in Russia, Algeria and Ethiopia, while significant increases were recorded in Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Burundi.
China remained the largest source of Schengen visa applications with 1.8 million submissions, followed by Türkiye, India, Russia and Morocco.
Of the more than 10 million visas issued in 2025, 51.2 per cent allowed multiple entries into the Schengen area, slightly lower than the previous year. Additionally, Schengen member states issued 83,790 visas at external borders, compared to 85,118 in 2024.
Also read: How to get Schengen visa on Pakistani passport in 2026?
