A total of 10.3 million visa applications have been registered to Schengen states in 2023. In terms of expenses, third-country nationals who need to apply for a Schengen visa have spent $903 million.

According to the SchengenVisaInfo Statistics Portal, some applicants have spent more money by filing more visa applications, and some others spent more on visas that were rejected, resulting in “wasted money” since visa expenses are non-refundable, VisaGuide.World reports.

As of June 11, 2024, the fee for a Schengen visa has increased from $87.4 (€80) to $98.3 (€90). However, since the price hike happened only recently, the data below is calculated with the $87.4 charge.

These 10 Nationalities Spent Most Money on Schengen Visa Applications

With millions of dollars spent, ten nationalities have stood out for most Schengen visa applications filed – a total of six million. Moreover, 58.7 percent of all applications received by Schengen states, came from these ten countries of origin.

The ten nationalities with the most expenses made for Schengen visa applications in 2023 are as follows:

1. Chinese – $97.7 million
2. Turks – $92.3 million
3. Indians – $84.5 million
4. Moroccans – $51.7 million
5. Russians – $45.5 million
6. Algerians – $41.4 million)
7. Saudis – $37.5 million
8. Brits – $35.4 million
9. Thais – $23.6 million
10. Emiratis – $20.4 million

Here Are 10 Nationalities That “Wasted” Most Money on Rejected Visas

Out of 10.3 million applications, Schengen states have rejected 15.8 percent (1.6 million) of them. This corresponds with €142.7 million expenses on visas that received a negative decision.

These are the nationalities that spent the most money on visa applications that had been refused:

1. Turks – $14.8 million
2. Algerians – $14.5 million
3. Indians – $13.2 million
4. Moroccans – $11.9 million
5. Chinese – $5.2 million
6. Russians – $4.7 million
7. Emiratis – $4.5 million
8. Iranis – $4.2 million
9. Egyptians – $4.1 million
10. Nigerians – $3.7 million

Pakistanis Spent the Most for Visas That Got Rejected Out of All Nationals With the Highest Rejection Rates

Rejection rates, which represent the share of denied visa applications compared to the total number of applications filed, can be higher in certain countries than others.

Despite of Turkish residents having the largest rejection number for visa applications, some other nationalities are more affected by rejections, as they have filed fewer requests.

These are the nationalities with the highest rejection rates and how much they spent on visas that ended up refused.

1. Comorians – $190,095
2. Bissau Guineans – $239,935
3. Pakistanis – $3.6 million
4. Ghanaians – $1.8 million
5. Malians – $842,659
6. Syrians – $168,235
7. Guineans – $526,476
8. Bangladeshis – $1.4 million
9. Sudanese – $87,178
10. Senegalese – $2.3 million