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Rabat – The European Commission has announced an increase in short-stay Schengen visa fees, slated to take effect from June 11. This adjustment will see the cost of Schengen visas, specifically visa type C, surge by 12%, applying to applicants worldwide.
Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that under the revised fee structure, adult applicants will face a price hike from €80 to €90, while children aged 6 to below 12 years will see their fees rise from €40 to €45.
The rationale behind this fee adjustment is to align with the escalating costs associated with visa processing and upholding the security of the Schengen area, Hindustan Times reported.
The last fee update occurred in February 2020, when the adult visa fee was increased from €60 to €80.
The European Commission has justified the latest surge by citing inflationary pressures and the imperative to cover administrative expenses linked to the visa process. These expenses encompass background checks, data processing, and the maintenance of secure entry systems.
Many have expressd concern over the fee surge, particularly given recent trends in visa rejections. The issue was notably prevalent in Maghreb countries for travelers intending to visit France and Spain.
Over the past couple of years, there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of visa denials, prompting apprehension among prospective visitors.
In 2022 alone, 30% of Schengen visa applications from Moroccans faced rejection, with France and Spain responsible for the majority of the visa rejections.
