France Tops Schengen Visa Rankings for 2024: 3 Million Applications, 32 Nationalities’ First Choice

In 2024, France once again emerged as the most sought-after Schengen destination, receiving over 3 million visa applications—a 17% increase compared to 2023. For applicants from 32 nationalities, France was the number one country for Schengen visa submissions, while for citizens of seven nations, it was the only country they applied to.

Surge in Applications: Who's Coming to France?

According to SchengenVisaInfo, the majority of applications to France came from countries with no visa-exemption agreement with the EU. Leading the statistics were:

China: 458,018 applications to France (25.7% of China’s total)

Morocco: 282,153 (46.5%)

Algeria: 352,295 (64.7%)

Ivory Coast: 62,786 (81.1%)

Saudi Arabia: 191,388 (37.8%)

Tunisia: 106,617 (59.9%)

Nigeria: 55,833 (50.2%)

In many cases, especially across West and North Africa, France’s colonial and linguistic legacy continues to shape visa preferences. Applications from Guinea (78.2%), Gabon (91.9%), and Benin (91.1%) show overwhelming leanings toward France.

100% to France: One Country, One Destination

In 2024, several nationalities exclusively chose France for their Schengen visa applications:

Chad: 7,243 applications

Djibouti: 5,090

Central African Republic: 2,996

Comoros: 2,853

Vanuatu: 261

These numbers underscore the symbolic weight France still holds for many post-colonial nations—and the dependency on its consular infrastructure.

Foreign Residents in Visa-Free Countries Also Favor France

Interestingly, even in countries where citizens enjoy visa-free access, foreign residents frequently picked France:

United Kingdom: 132,469 of 470,569 applications (28.1%) went to France

Canada: 14,520 of 42,265 (34.3%)

USA: 61,152 of 201,602 (30.3%)

In countries like Mauritius and Saint Lucia, 100% of applicants went to France, reaffirming long-standing migratory and cultural ties.

What Drives France’s Visa Popularity?

France’s dominance in the Schengen visa system is fueled by several factors:

A dense global consular network

Historical, linguistic, and familial ties in North and West Africa

A relatively centralized visa system with high throughput

Continued economic attractiveness, especially in tourism, business, and education

However, France’s refusal rate has also been among the highest in recent years, prompting questions about the accessibility and transparency of the visa process.

Policy Implications

With increasing pressure on the Schengen system and rising application numbers, France may face growing scrutiny over its processing times, transparency, and refusal justifications. Furthermore, as geopolitical relations shift and migration patterns intensify, its role as a "gateway to Europe" will continue to evolve.