Luxembourg has recorded a record number of Schengen visa applications, becoming a top destination for many international tourists and students, Schengen.News reports.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs’ 2024 activity report, Luxembourg received a total of 30,677 Schengen visa applications.
This is a 173 per cent increase compared to 2023, when the country received just 11,227 visa applications.
Commenting on the figures, the ministry said that this high number of applications reflects Luxembourg’s growing attractiveness as a place to study, work and live.
The majority of applications submitted by foreign nationals were for family reasons, with Luxembourg registering 9,009 applications for this purpose in 2024.
This is followed by applications for tourist visas. According to the data, Luxembourg filed 8,038 applications for tourist visas last year. According to the ministry, this phenomenon, which was not so pronounced in previous years, shows that the country is becoming an increasingly attractive destination.
“An increase in applications for tourist reasons was noted, a phenomenon that had not been so pronounced in previous years,” Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
In addition to the above-mentioned, Luxembourg recorded a high number of applications for visas for business purposes (5,600) and long-term visas (4,624) in 2024.
As in previous years, Indian passport holders submitted the most applications to Luxembourg and received the most visas.
The data shows that Luxembourg issued a total of 5,495 Schengen visas to Indians in 2024 and they were the main group of foreign visitors.
“Indian citizens represent the largest group of third-country nationals who visited Luxembourg this year, ahead of Turkish and Chinese citizens,” Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Indians are followed by Turkish nationals, who also applied in large numbers and received 3,373 visas last year.
The top five third-country nationals to whom Luxembourg issued the most visas in 2024 were Chinese, Moroccan and Russian nationals. Luxembourg issued 3,216 visas for Chinese nationals, 1,905 visas for Moroccan nationals and 1,378 visas for Russian nationals last year.
The data also shows that Luxembourg received the highest number of applications at its consulate in New Delhi (4,058), followed by the consulate in Ankara (3,299). The Luxembourg Embassy in Beijing also received a large number of applications, 1,951.
The increase in the number of applications from Chinese nationals is attributed to direct air links between the two countries and co-operation with an external service provider.
