Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In 2024, Uzbek citizens submitted 58,691 applications for Schengen visas, marking the highest figure in the past decade and representing a 26.2% increase compared to 2023, when 46,503 applications were filed. This data was reported by SchengenVisaInfo, citing official statistics.

By the number of submitted applications, Uzbekistan ranked 35th globally.

The approval rate was relatively high, with nearly 88% of applicants receiving positive decisions. A total of 51,604 visas were issued, which is 33% more than in the previous year.

Interest in Schengen visas among Uzbek citizens was at its lowest during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, with only 6,770 and 8,929 applications submitted, respectively.

In 2024, German consulates received the highest number of applications — 19,329, of which 15,525 were approved. Meanwhile, Switzerland did not record a single application from Uzbek citizens throughout the entire year.

Poland once again confirmed its position as the country with the highest rejection rate, denying 32.88% of all applications submitted by Uzbeks.

Until June 11, 2024, the application fee for a Schengen visa stood at 80 euros. Over the past year, Uzbek citizens spent a total of 4,695,280 euros on visa fees, approximately 740,000 euros of which went toward applications that were ultimately rejected.

In total, over the past ten years, the European Union has earned nearly 26 million euros from visa fees paid by Uzbek citizens.