Spain is facing one of its most serious migration emergencies after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. Spanish authorities say at least 67 migrants died during the mass crossing, with many drowning at sea or being crushed near the border breakwater.

Officials estimate that around 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, while local authorities put the figure even higher. Most migrants have since returned voluntarily to Morocco, but the humanitarian and political fallout continues to grow.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity and blamed human trafficking networks for spreading false hopes among migrants. Spain has also installed an inflatable sea barrier to strengthen border security.

Spain's Ceuta Migrant Crisis Deepens | 67 Dead As Tens Of Thousands Return To Morocco

A recent report by the Schengen Visa Statistics 2022 showed France as the most popular destination for Indian travellers among Schengen states. On the contrary, the report also mentioned that France also had the largest visa rejections in 2022.&nbsp;

France was among the five most popular Schengen destinations for Indians, which saw 1.38 lakh visa applications the previous year. France was followed by Switzerland at 1.06 lakh applications, Spain at 80,098 applications, Germany at 76,352 applications and the Netherlands at 52,616 applications.&nbsp;

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But France has a visa rejection rate of 20.12 per cent, which means that it saw the largest number of visas rejected at 27,691 applications. Spain was at the second spot in this category with 18.5 per cent, which are 14,852 visa applications.&nbsp;

 
Though Switzerland’s rate of rejection was as low as 13.2 per cent because the volume of applications received was high, it amounted to a total of 13,984 visas being denied.&nbsp;

<h2>What is a Schengen visa?</h2>

Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most European countries. It is the largest free travel area in the world. A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any country of the Schengen area. A person with a Schengen visa can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes in the Schengen area.

It is one of the most common visas for travelling in Europe. It allows its holder to enter, freely travel and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.&nbsp;

<h2>Schengen Visa Statistics 2022&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</h2>

As per the report, Germany saw the lowest rate of visa rejection in 2022 which is 11.33 per cent with 8,615 visas being rejected.&nbsp;

The report further shows that other countries saw the lowest visa rejection rate because the applications for the visa were also low. Iceland saw 1,861 applications wherein 5.5 per cent of visas were rejected, Hungary with 9,046 applications saw 12.1 per cent rejections, Belgium saw 4,824 visa applications with 12.2 rejections while Norway saw 18,016 applications but the rejection rate was 14.5 per cent.&nbsp;

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There are currently 27 European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the European Union, which include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Croatia.&nbsp;

<h2>Schengen Visa appointment in India</h2>

Schengen embassies/consulates in India typically require you to schedule an appointment for your visa application 4-6 weeks in advance. So it is advised to start the application process ahead of your upcoming trip, considering it will take another two weeks for the embassy to reach a decision.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, recently, the ambassadors of European Union member states gave a green signal to negotiate a proposal around digitalising the visa application process. In case the negotiations come through, the travellers will be able to apply for the Schengen visa online and the current 'Schengen' sticker will also get replaced with a digital bar code.

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A recent report by the Schengen Visa Statistics 2022 showed France as the most popular destination for Indian travellers among Schengen states. On the contrary, the report also mentioned that France also had the largest visa rejections in 2022.

A recent report by the Schengen Visa Statistics 2022 showed France as the most popular destination for Indian travellers among Schengen states. On the contrary, the report also mentioned that France also had the largest visa rejections in 2022. France was among the five most popular Schengen destinations for Indians, which saw 1.38 lakh visa applications the previous year. France was followed by Switzerland at 1.06 lakh applications, Spain at 80,098 applications, Germany at 76,352 applications and the Netherlands at 52,616 applications. Also Read | G7 leaders to target Russian energy, trade in new sanctions steps But France has a visa rejection rate of 20.12 per cent, which means that it saw the largest number of visas rejected at 27,691 applications. Spain was at the second spot in this category with 18.5 per cent, which are 14,852 visa applications. Though Switzerland’s rate of rejection was as low as 13.2 per cent because the volume of applications received was high, it amounted to a total of 13,984 visas being denied. What is a Schengen visa? Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most European countries. It is the largest free travel area in the world. A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any country of the Schengen area. A person with a Schengen visa can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes in the Schengen area. It is one of the most common visas for travelling in Europe. It allows its holder to enter, freely travel and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone. Schengen Visa Statistics 2022 As per the report, Germany saw the lowest rate of visa rejection in 2022 which is 11.33 per cent with 8,615 visas being rejected. The report further shows that other countries saw the lowest visa rejection rate because the applications for the visa were also low. Iceland saw 1,861 applications wherein 5.5 per cent of visas were rejected, Hungary with 9,046 applications saw 12.1 per cent rejections, Belgium saw 4,824 visa applications with 12.2 rejections while Norway saw 18,016 applications but the rejection rate was 14.5 per cent. Also Read | Cyclone Mocha: At least six killed, hundreds injured after powerful storm batters Myanmar There are currently 27 European countries in the Schengen Area, 22 of which are member states of the European Union, which include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Croatia. Schengen Visa appointment in India Schengen embassies/consulates in India typically require you to schedule an appointment for your visa application 4-6 weeks in advance. So it is advised to start the application process ahead of your upcoming trip, considering it will take another two weeks for the embassy to reach a decision. Meanwhile, recently, the ambassadors of European Union member states gave a green signal to negotiate a proposal around digitalising the visa application process. In case the negotiations come through, the travellers will be able to apply for the Schengen visa online and the current 'Schengen' sticker will also get replaced with a digital bar code. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France most popular destination in Schengen area for Indians, but also has highest visa rejections

The European Union has decided to digitalise the Schengen visa as a proposal for the same has been in talks with the EU member states. The ambassadors of the EU member states have agreed to the Council’s negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitise the visa procedure. The new rule will replace the current visa sticker with a digital visa.&nbsp;

With this, the visa application procedure will become more efficient in the Schengen area. Sweden’s Minister for Migration, Maria Malmer Stenergarz said, “A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travellers to apply and will at the same time help make the Schengen area safer. Online applications will reduce the number of trips to the consulate for travellers and make the process smoother for national administrations.”

Single website for Schengen visa

According to the European Council statement, the proposed new rules will create a visa application platform that will allow all applicants for Schengen visas to apply for visas from one single platform. This will forward them to the relevant national visa systems.&nbsp;

Over this platform, visa platforms will be able to upload electronic copies of their travel and all supporting documents and pay their visa fees. They will also be notified of the decision concerning their visas.&nbsp;

Other features of the digitised Schengen visa

1. Besides the digitisation of visas, it will also put an end to the risk of falsification and theft of visa stickers.&nbsp;

2. Only in-person appearance will be required for the first-time consulate or for applicants whose biometric data is invalid.&nbsp;

3. The visas will also be issued in digital format, a 2D barcode at is cryptographically signed.&nbsp;

What is the Schengen area?

The Schengen area is an area comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished all passports and all other types of border control at their mutual borders.&nbsp;

Recent migration and security challenges have significantly transformed the context of the EU’s visa policy. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down visa operations and created the need for more digital procedures. In this context, the Commission submitted a legislative proposal on April 27 last year which was aimed at digitalising the visa procedure.&nbsp;

After nearly a year, EU members agreed regarding this proposal. The Council presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament to agree on the final wording.&nbsp;

 
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The European Union has decided to digitalise the Schengen visa as a proposal for the same has been in talks with the EU member states. The ambassadors of the EU member states have agreed to the Council’s negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitise the visa procedure.

The European Union has decided to digitalise the Schengen visa as a proposal for the same has been in talks with the EU member states. The ambassadors of the EU member states have agreed to the Council’s negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitise the visa procedure. The new rule will replace the current visa sticker with a digital visa. With this, the visa application procedure will become more efficient in the Schengen area. Sweden’s Minister for Migration, Maria Malmer Stenergarz said, “A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travellers to apply and will at the same time help make the Schengen area safer. Online applications will reduce the number of trips to the consulate for travellers and make the process smoother for national administrations.” Single website for Schengen visa According to the European Council statement, the proposed new rules will create a visa application platform that will allow all applicants for Schengen visas to apply for visas from one single platform. This will forward them to the relevant national visa systems. Over this platform, visa platforms will be able to upload electronic copies of their travel and all supporting documents and pay their visa fees. They will also be notified of the decision concerning their visas. Other features of the digitised Schengen visa 1. Besides the digitisation of visas, it will also put an end to the risk of falsification and theft of visa stickers. 2. Only in-person appearance will be required for the first-time consulate or for applicants whose biometric data is invalid. 3. The visas will also be issued in digital format, a 2D barcode at is cryptographically signed. What is the Schengen area? The Schengen area is an area comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished all passports and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. Recent migration and security challenges have significantly transformed the context of the EU’s visa policy. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down visa operations and created the need for more digital procedures. In this context, the Commission submitted a legislative proposal on April 27 last year which was aimed at digitalising the visa procedure. After nearly a year, EU members agreed regarding this proposal. The Council presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament to agree on the final wording. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Schengen visa procedure to get fully digitised, here's what will change

France will gradually reopen its borders to countries outside the Schengen zone from July 1, the interior and foreign ministers said in a joint statement on Friday.

France will gradually reopen its borders to countries outside the Schengen zone from July 1, the interior and foreign ministers said in a joint statement on Friday. The borders were shut in mid-March to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, but the European Union recommended on Thursday that the bloc reopen to some countries in the Balkans from July 1. Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in their statement that France's reopening would be in harmony with the rest of the EU. "This opening will be gradual and will vary according to the health situation in each of the third countries, and in accordance with the arrangements that will have been agreed at European level by then," the ministers said. Europe has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, accounting for almost half of the world's deaths. But the spread has slowed in many of the hardest-hit countries, including Spain, Italy and France, allowing the most restrictive measures to be lifted. Castaner and Le Drian confirmed that France would also lift all border restrictions with other Schengen countries from June 15. Spain remains under restrictions as Madrid enforces a quarantine on all overseas travellers and France has promised reciprocal measures. The Schengen borderless area covers most of the European Union as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

France unveils plan to reopen non-Schengen borders

Vietnam will deny entry and stop issuing tourist visas to citizens from Europe's Schengen visa-free area and Britain starting from Sunday, amid concerns over the spreading coronavirus, its foreign ministry said.

The restriction will start from midday March 15 following a proposal from the country's prime minister, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Visas on arrival for all foreign nationals are also temporarily halted, it added.

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The British embassy in Hanoi updated its travel advice on a UK government website.

"From noon Vietnam time, March 15, all foreign nationals will be refused entry to Vietnam if in the previous 14 days they have been to the UK, or any Schengen country, even in transit," said the statement.

"This restriction will be in place for 30 days."

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The Schengen Area is a border control-free travel zone comprising 26 European countries.

Vietnam earlier halted visa-free travel for citizens of eight European countries.

Following the government's restriction, the national carrier Vietnam Airlines said it would stop carrying passengers from Paris, London and Frankfurt to Vietnam from March 15, while flights from Vietnam to those destinations would still be operated as normal.

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Three weeks after Vietnam declared that all 16 of its coronavirus cases had recovered, the number of infected patients is on the rise after the authorities said a spate of new infections was traced to a flight from Britain.

Vietnam has confirmed 49 cases of the coronavirus. There have been no deaths in the country.

Vietnam will deny entry and stop issuing tourist visas to citizens from Europe's Schengen visa-free area and Britain starting from Sunday, amid concerns over the spreading coronavirus, its foreign ministry said.

Vietnam will deny entry and stop issuing tourist visas to citizens from Europe's Schengen visa-free area and Britain starting from Sunday, amid concerns over the spreading coronavirus, its foreign ministry said. The restriction will start from midday March 15 following a proposal from the country's prime minister, the ministry said in a statement on its website. Visas on arrival for all foreign nationals are also temporarily halted, it added. Also read: Airline crisis worsens as US puts Europeans in coronavirus quarantine The British embassy in Hanoi updated its travel advice on a UK government website. "From noon Vietnam time, March 15, all foreign nationals will be refused entry to Vietnam if in the previous 14 days they have been to the UK, or any Schengen country, even in transit," said the statement. "This restriction will be in place for 30 days." Also see: Indian Embassy in US seeks to address travel advisory concerns, issue multiple helplines The Schengen Area is a border control-free travel zone comprising 26 European countries. Vietnam earlier halted visa-free travel for citizens of eight European countries. Following the government's restriction, the national carrier Vietnam Airlines said it would stop carrying passengers from Paris, London and Frankfurt to Vietnam from March 15, while flights from Vietnam to those destinations would still be operated as normal. Also read: Coronavirus chaos spreads globally, Trump declares US emergency Three weeks after Vietnam declared that all 16 of its coronavirus cases had recovered, the number of infected patients is on the rise after the authorities said a spate of new infections was traced to a flight from Britain. Vietnam has confirmed 49 cases of the coronavirus. There have been no deaths in the country.

Vietnam to refuse visitors from UK, Schengen countries

Travelling to Europe may become a bit more expensive as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-no-visas-required-for-indians-transiting-from-france-155152">Schengen visa fee</a> is set to increase.

According to a report, the fee will be hiked to Euro 80 from Euro 60 and it will come into effect from February 2.

&nbsp;For children, the fee is hiked to Euro 40 from Euro 35. Infants and children below six years are exempted from the fee.

As per reports, the fee is hiked for travellers from all countries except with which the European Union has a visa facilitation agreement.

The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe which allows tourists to travel through the 26 European countries.

It is a short-stay visa that allows tourists to travel to any members of the Schengen Area.&nbsp;

Countries that come into Schengen area are, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The person can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

According to the official website, over 14.2 million people used their Schengen visa in 2018 to travel around Europe.

However, if a person is planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for over 90 days, then they will have to apply for a national visa of that European country they are planning to visit.

Travelling to Europe may become a bit more expensive as the Schengen visa fee is set to increase. According to a report, the fee will be hiked to Euro 80 from Euro 60 and it will come into effect from February 2.

Travelling to Europe may become a bit more expensive as the Schengen visa fee is set to increase. According to a report, the fee will be hiked to Euro 80 from Euro 60 and it will come into effect from February 2. For children, the fee is hiked to Euro 40 from Euro 35. Infants and children below six years are exempted from the fee. As per reports, the fee is hiked for travellers from all countries except with which the European Union has a visa facilitation agreement. The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe which allows tourists to travel through the 26 European countries. It is a short-stay visa that allows tourists to travel to any members of the Schengen Area. Countries that come into Schengen area are, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The person can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. According to the official website, over 14.2 million people used their Schengen visa in 2018 to travel around Europe. However, if a person is planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for over 90 days, then they will have to apply for a national visa of that European country they are planning to visit.

Europe trip to get costlier as Schengen visa fee hiked

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