90% of Russian applicants still granted visas by EU : Analysis

Schengen visa rejections saw a slight increase in 2023, with Russia among the top five applicant countries. The European Commission reported that nearly 90% of Russian visa requests were approved. The total number of short-stay visa applications in 2023 was 10.3 million, a 37% surge from 2022 but lower than pre-pandemic levels. Russia ranked fifth with 520,387 applications and a rejection rate of 10.6%. In contrast, Turkey had a rejection rate of 16.1% and Iran faced a rejection rate of 30.3%. China led with 1,117,365 visa requests, followed by Turkey, India, and Morocco in the top spots. EU member states have halted issuing visas to Russians in some cases, amid tensions with Ukraine, while the bloc is considering further sanctions that could impact Russian diplomats’ movements.

Analysis:
The article appears to provide factual information based on data reported by the European Commission regarding Schengen visa applications in 2023. The inclusion of statistics on visa rejection rates for different countries, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran, adds context to the overall picture. The article mentions that nearly 90% of Russian visa requests were approved, indicating a relatively high approval rate compared to other countries.

The article does not display any obvious biases and presents the information in a straightforward manner. However, it is essential to consider the potential impact of political tensions, specifically between the European Union and Russia, on visa approval processes. The mention of the EU member states halting visa issuance to Russians in some cases due to tensions with Ukraine highlights the political context surrounding visa applications.

Given the current political landscape and the prevalence of fake news, there may be misinformation circulating about visa application processes and approval criteria. It is crucial for readers to verify information from credible sources and consider potential biases when interpreting news related to political relations and visa policies.

Overall, the article provides a factual overview of Schengen visa application trends in 2023 without overt biases, but readers should remain cautious of potential political influences on visa approval processes and the broader context of international relations influencing such decisions.

Source: RT news: EU still grants visas to 90% of Russian applicants – data