Czechia's Visa Lottery System Causes Travel Disruptions for Non-EU Residents in Ireland
Czechia’s Visa System Faces Criticism for Delays and Random Selection
Foreign nationals residing in Ireland who require a visa to travel within the Schengen Area must apply for a Schengen visa to visit Czechia. However, delays and challenges in securing appointments have left many applicants stranded.
Rakesh, an Indian living in Ireland, has been waiting for a long time to secure an appointment for a Schengen visa to Czechia without success.
Czech Authorities Address Rising Demand and Fraud Concerns
To manage the high volume of Schengen visa applications and curb visa fraud, Czech authorities have implemented an algorithm to randomly select applicants. This system is currently operational in Czech embassies across countries like Nigeria, India, Morocco, and others.
According to the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately ten applicants compete for each visa appointment.
Introduction of the ELVIS System
In June, Czech authorities launched the Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) to streamline the visa application process. The system is now used for processing residence permits in 27 Czech embassies worldwide, including those in Algeria, China, India, Japan, and the UAE.
Despite its intended benefits, the system has drawn criticism. Many applicants, like an Indonesian resident mentioned by Czech national Petr Novotny, have faced weeks-long delays, struggling to secure visa appointments.
Czechia: A Popular Destination for Third-Country Nationals
Czechia remains a popular travel destination, with over 138,000 visa applications submitted in 2023, accounting for 1.3% of all Schengen applications. The country ranks 13th among Schengen states for visa applications.
However, 24,000 applications were rejected, resulting in a rejection rate of 17.3%, slightly above the Schengen average of 16%.
Key Applicant Groups
The majority of visa applications in 2023 came from:
- Turkey
- India
- Kazakhstan
- China
These four countries alone accounted for 38.3% of all visa requests received by Czech authorities.
Challenges Ahead
While the ELVIS system aims to facilitate application processes, the random selection algorithm has left many prospective travelers in limbo. Critics argue that the system needs adjustments to ensure fair and timely access for applicants, particularly as Czechia continues to attract significant interest from third-country nationals.
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