South African Schengen visa applications increased in 2025, but still lagged behind 2019 numbers.
According to statistics from the European Commission, Schengen applications in South Africa reached 195 946 in 2025, the 14th highest number globally. In 2024, the number of visa applications was 193 786. This is still significantly lower than the 225 060 applications in 2019.
Italian consulates in South Africa received the highest number of applications in 2025, totalling just over 33 500.
Globally, the total number of applications in 2025 was 11,9 million, a 1,8% increase from 2024, but still below the 17 million applications recorded in 2019.
Nearly 183 800 visas were granted in South Africa, an increase on the 180 416 issued in 2024 but still short of the 216 301 granted in 2019.
The refusal rate in South Africa was 5,3%, remaining on par with refusal rates from 2024. However, this is a slight increase from the 3,3% refusal rate recorded in 2019.
Global refusal rates were 14,8%, unchanged from 2024, but still higher than the 9,9% global refusal rates from 2019.
