ETOA Impact Survey: European visa facilitation in Asia, 2025

This survey is about visa processing for leisure and MICE visitors to Europe from China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Its results will highlight problems with current visa application processes, illustrate the potential economic loss arising, and help to identify good practice and opportunities for improvement. They will also indicate whether European countries are implementing current guidelines.

Please feel free to forward to colleagues in your own business or another. Thank you for your insight on this important topic.

Privacy: We know that your working relationships with visa agents and authorities are important. All responses will be treated in strict confidence.

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* 1. Who are you? (Tick all that apply)

B2C tour operator offering European product to consumers in Asia

Travel Agent offering European product to consumers in Asia

Travel Agent offering European MICE product to businesses in Asia

B2B tour operator offering European leisure tourism product to Asia outbound clients

B2B tour operator offering European MICE product to Asia outbound clients

Visa agent offering services to businesses and consumers in Asia

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* 2. Please tell us which country you are based in (this helps us to understand if there are differences in perception depending on whether respondents are in source markets or destination markets).

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* 3. For operators and travel agents, approximately how many Asia to Europe clients do you expect to travel in 2025? For visa agents, how many applications for European visas for citizens of Asian markets do you expect to process?

0-99

100-<1K

1K-<5K

5K-<10K

10K-<50K

50K-<100K

100K-<250K

250K-<500K

500K-<1 million

1 million+

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* 4. For operators and travel agents: in which European visa-requiring Asian countries do you offer European product? For visa agents: in which visa-requiring Asian countries do you operate? Tick all that apply.

China

India

Indonesia

Philippines

Other (please specify: if more than one country, please separate with commas, e.g. Myanmar, Thailand)

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* 5. Thinking about the four visa-requiring Asian markets below, please rank them in order of their business development priority for you. Number 1 should be your highest priority.

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* 6. Based on your direct experience and industry knowledge, what is your overall perception of the efficiency and service of visa application processing by the following European countries? [Please rate at least one country]

	Very Good	Good	Neutral	Poor	Very poor
Austria	Austria Very Good	Austria Good	Austria Neutral	Austria Poor	Austria Very poor
Belgium	Belgium Very Good	Belgium Good	Belgium Neutral	Belgium Poor	Belgium Very poor
Bulgaria	Bulgaria Very Good	Bulgaria Good	Bulgaria Neutral	Bulgaria Poor	Bulgaria Very poor
Croatia	Croatia Very Good	Croatia Good	Croatia Neutral	Croatia Poor	Croatia Very poor
Czech Rep.	Czech Rep. Very Good	Czech Rep. Good	Czech Rep. Neutral	Czech Rep. Poor	Czech Rep. Very poor
Denmark	Denmark Very Good	Denmark Good	Denmark Neutral	Denmark Poor	Denmark Very poor
Estonia	Estonia Very Good	Estonia Good	Estonia Neutral	Estonia Poor	Estonia Very poor
Finland	Finland Very Good	Finland Good	Finland Neutral	Finland Poor	Finland Very poor
France	France Very Good	France Good	France Neutral	France Poor	France Very poor
Germany	Germany Very Good	Germany Good	Germany Neutral	Germany Poor	Germany Very poor
Greece	Greece Very Good	Greece Good	Greece Neutral	Greece Poor	Greece Very poor
Hungary	Hungary Very Good	Hungary Good	Hungary Neutral	Hungary Poor	Hungary Very poor
Iceland	Iceland Very Good	Iceland Good	Iceland Neutral	Iceland Poor	Iceland Very poor
Ireland	Ireland Very Good	Ireland Good	Ireland Neutral	Ireland Poor	Ireland Very poor
Italy	Italy Very Good	Italy Good	Italy Neutral	Italy Poor	Italy Very poor
Latvia	Latvia Very Good	Latvia Good	Latvia Neutral	Latvia Poor	Latvia Very poor
Liechtenstein	Liechtenstein Very Good	Liechtenstein Good	Liechtenstein Neutral	Liechtenstein Poor	Liechtenstein Very poor
Lithuania	Lithuania Very Good	Lithuania Good	Lithuania Neutral	Lithuania Poor	Lithuania Very poor
Luxembourg	Luxembourg Very Good	Luxembourg Good	Luxembourg Neutral	Luxembourg Poor	Luxembourg Very poor
Malta	Malta Very Good	Malta Good	Malta Neutral	Malta Poor	Malta Very poor
Netherlands	Netherlands Very Good	Netherlands Good	Netherlands Neutral	Netherlands Poor	Netherlands Very poor
Norway	Norway Very Good	Norway Good	Norway Neutral	Norway Poor	Norway Very poor
Poland	Poland Very Good	Poland Good	Poland Neutral	Poland Poor	Poland Very poor
Portugal	Portugal Very Good	Portugal Good	Portugal Neutral	Portugal Poor	Portugal Very poor
Romania	Romania Very Good	Romania Good	Romania Neutral	Romania Poor	Romania Very poor
Slovakia	Slovakia Very Good	Slovakia Good	Slovakia Neutral	Slovakia Poor	Slovakia Very poor
Slovenia	Slovenia Very Good	Slovenia Good	Slovenia Neutral	Slovenia Poor	Slovenia Very poor
Spain	Spain Very Good	Spain Good	Spain Neutral	Spain Poor	Spain Very poor
Sweden	Sweden Very Good	Sweden Good	Sweden Neutral	Sweden Poor	Sweden Very poor
Switzerland	Switzerland Very Good	Switzerland Good	Switzerland Neutral	Switzerland Poor	Switzerland Very poor
UK	UK Very Good	UK Good	UK Neutral	UK Poor	UK Very poor

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* 7. Thinking about any country you rated good or very good, please make any comment you wish about what they do well.

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* 8. Thinking about any country you rated poor or very poor, please make any comment you wish about the problem, e.g. unusually or unreasonably narrow definition(s) of acceptable documentation.

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* 9. What percentage of short-stay visa applications to Europe would you estimate are by first-time applicants, for the business you deal with?

0-19%

20-39%

40-59%

60-79%

80%+

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* 10. Thinking about the requirements to apply for an individual FIRST TIME visa (single or MEV) how would you rank the following in terms of DETERRENCE?
Number 1 should be the one you think causes most difficulty.

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* 11. Thinking about supporting documentation required along with the visa application, please rank the following in terms of how problematic they can be. Number 1 should be the most problematic.

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* 12. Thinking about what would improve the process or service offered, please rank the following in terms of priority. Number 1 should be the most important.

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* 13. Overall, thinking about how you work with countries' consulates or their official visa processing agencies, please rate your response to the following statements

	Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree
It is easy to obtain up-to-date information about visa application requirements	It is easy to obtain up-to-date information about visa application requirements Strongly agree	It is easy to obtain up-to-date information about visa application requirements Agree	It is easy to obtain up-to-date information about visa application requirements Neutral	It is easy to obtain up-to-date information about visa application requirements Disagree	It is easy to obtain up-to-date information about visa application requirements Strongly disagree
It is easy to track the progress of current applications	It is easy to track the progress of current applications Strongly agree	It is easy to track the progress of current applications Agree	It is easy to track the progress of current applications Neutral	It is easy to track the progress of current applications Disagree	It is easy to track the progress of current applications Strongly disagree
If an application is refused I receive a satisfactory explanation	If an application is refused I receive a satisfactory explanation Strongly agree	If an application is refused I receive a satisfactory explanation Agree	If an application is refused I receive a satisfactory explanation Neutral	If an application is refused I receive a satisfactory explanation Disagree	If an application is refused I receive a satisfactory explanation Strongly disagree
Where there are multiple consulates or processing agencies for one issuing country in the same source market, they all apply Schengen visa application guidelines in a very similar way.	Where there are multiple consulates or processing agencies for one issuing country in the same source market, they all apply Schengen visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Strongly agree	Where there are multiple consulates or processing agencies for one issuing country in the same source market, they all apply Schengen visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Agree	Where there are multiple consulates or processing agencies for one issuing country in the same source market, they all apply Schengen visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Neutral	Where there are multiple consulates or processing agencies for one issuing country in the same source market, they all apply Schengen visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Disagree	Where there are multiple consulates or processing agencies for one issuing country in the same source market, they all apply Schengen visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Strongly disagree
There is too much variation between Schengen countries in how they implement visa application guidelines or rules	There is too much variation between Schengen countries in how they implement visa application guidelines or rules Strongly agree	There is too much variation between Schengen countries in how they implement visa application guidelines or rules Agree	There is too much variation between Schengen countries in how they implement visa application guidelines or rules Neutral	There is too much variation between Schengen countries in how they implement visa application guidelines or rules Disagree	There is too much variation between Schengen countries in how they implement visa application guidelines or rules Strongly disagree
Where the UK has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way.	Where the UK has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Strongly agree	Where the UK has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Agree	Where the UK has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Neutral	Where the UK has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Disagree	Where the UK has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Strongly disagree
Where IRELAND has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way.	Where IRELAND has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Strongly agree	Where IRELAND has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Agree	Where IRELAND has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Neutral	Where IRELAND has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Disagree	Where IRELAND has multiple consulates or processing agencies in one source market, they all apply visa application guidelines in a very similar way. Strongly disagree

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* 14. Thinking about any issuing country for which there is significant variation in practice between their multiple consulates or processing agencies in the same source market, please make any additional comment here, e.g. identify in which market and with which issuing country there is significant variation.

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* 15. Do you sell UK/Ireland product?

Yes

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* 16. Do you sell product that requires clients to obtain two visas: e.g. Schengen, and either Ireland or UK?

Yes

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* 17. Overall, thinking about current visa application processing in the Asian markets you work with, which of the issues below to you consider to be particularly important to address? Tick all that apply.

	Schengen area applications	UK/Ireland applications
Slow processing time (more than the guideline 15 days for standard cases)	Slow processing time (more than the guideline 15 days for standard cases) Schengen area applications	Slow processing time (more than the guideline 15 days for standard cases) UK/Ireland applications
Unpredictable processing time	Unpredictable processing time Schengen area applications	Unpredictable processing time UK/Ireland applications
Lack of materials or explanation in local language	Lack of materials or explanation in local language Schengen area applications	Lack of materials or explanation in local language UK/Ireland applications
Opening hours or general accessibility of consular offices	Opening hours or general accessibility of consular offices Schengen area applications	Opening hours or general accessibility of consular offices UK/Ireland applications
The cost or inconvenience of the applicant having to present in person (for biometrics or otherwise)	The cost or inconvenience of the applicant having to present in person (for biometrics or otherwise) Schengen area applications	The cost or inconvenience of the applicant having to present in person (for biometrics or otherwise) UK/Ireland applications
Quality of communication and service received by the visa applicant	Quality of communication and service received by the visa applicant Schengen area applications	Quality of communication and service received by the visa applicant UK/Ireland applications
Unpredictability or inconsistency of requirements for documentary support	Unpredictability or inconsistency of requirements for documentary support Schengen area applications	Unpredictability or inconsistency of requirements for documentary support UK/Ireland applications

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* 18. Thinking about the previous 12 months, what percentage of enquiries for holidays to the following destinations do you estimate did not turn into bookings due to visa-related problems?

	0-10%	11-20%	21-30%	31-40%	41-50%	51%+	N/A
Schengen area	Schengen area 0-10%	Schengen area 11-20%	Schengen area 21-30%	Schengen area 31-40%	Schengen area 41-50%	Schengen area 51%+	Schengen area N/A
Ireland	Ireland 0-10%	Ireland 11-20%	Ireland 21-30%	Ireland 31-40%	Ireland 41-50%	Ireland 51%+	Ireland N/A
UK	UK 0-10%	UK 11-20%	UK 21-30%	UK 31-40%	UK 41-50%	UK 51%+	UK N/A

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* 19. Overall, thinking about clients who choose not to start an application once they realise the requirements, what do you think they most likely to do? Please rank, with 1 being the most likely.

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* 20. What percentage of bookings or reservations to the following destination do you estimate were cancelled (by you or client) due to visa-related problems?

	0-10%	11-20%	21-30%	31-40%	41-50%	51%+	N/A
Schengen zone	Schengen zone 0-10%	Schengen zone 11-20%	Schengen zone 21-30%	Schengen zone 31-40%	Schengen zone 41-50%	Schengen zone 51%+	Schengen zone N/A
Ireland	Ireland 0-10%	Ireland 11-20%	Ireland 21-30%	Ireland 31-40%	Ireland 41-50%	Ireland 51%+	Ireland N/A
UK	UK 0-10%	UK 11-20%	UK 21-30%	UK 31-40%	UK 41-50%	UK 51%+	UK N/A

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* 21. Thinking about clients who choose to abandon a visa application due to the process or other requirements, what do you think they most likely to do? Please rank, with 1 being the most likely.

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* 22. For business from mainland China only: thinking about clients who choose to abandon plans for a trip to Ireland/UK/Schengen either before or during the visa application process, what do you think they most likely to do next? Please rank, with 1 being the most likely.

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* 23. For China to Europe only: If you participate in the Approved Destination Status (ADS) schemes, please comment on current issues or make suggestions for improvements. (Please specify if Schengen or UK schemes).

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* 24. Are you aware of the British-Irish Visa Scheme for visitors travelling from China or India?

Yes

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* 25. If you use this programme (see preceding question), to which authority do you most frequently apply?

Ireland

About the same frequency to both

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* 26. Are you aware of the Irish Government Short-Stay Visa Waiver programme for visitors travelling via the UK?

Yes

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* 27. If you use this programme (see preceding question), in your opinion does it increase visits to Ireland from people who would otherwise have to obtain a separate Irish visa?

Yes

Not sure

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* 28. If you think any non-European country has a particularly good visa application and processing system please indicate here which one(s). Please tell us what is good about their system.

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* 29. If you think any European countries outside EU and Schengen (excluding UK) - for example Russia, Turkey or non-EU Balkan countries - offer a good visa application and processing system please indicate here which one(s). Please tell us what is good about their system.

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* 30. If you have any other comment to make on the topic of visa facilitation from Asia to Europe, please do so here.

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* 31. If you wish to receive updates and results from this survey please leave your details below. This does not affect the confidentiality of your responses. If you wish to contact ETOA directly or learn about our work on this topic, please email us at policy@etoa.org or visit our website at: www.etoa.org/operating-in-europe/visas-and-borders/

Name

Company

Email Address

ETOA Impact Survey: European visa facilitation in Asia, 2025

Question Title

* 1. Who are you? (Tick all that apply)

Question Title

* 2. Please tell us which country you are based in (this helps us to understand if there are differences in perception depending on whether respondents are in source markets or destination markets).

Question Title

* 3. For operators and travel agents, approximately how many Asia to Europe clients do you expect to travel in 2025? For visa agents, how many applications for European visas for citizens of Asian markets do you expect to process?

Question Title

* 4. For operators and travel agents: in which European visa-requiring Asian countries do you offer European product? For visa agents: in which visa-requiring Asian countries do you operate? Tick all that apply.

Question Title

* 5. Thinking about the four visa-requiring Asian markets below, please rank them in order of their business development priority for you. Number 1 should be your highest priority.

Question Title

* 6. Based on your direct experience and industry knowledge, what is your overall perception of the efficiency and service of visa application processing by the following European countries? [Please rate at least one country]

Question Title

* 7. Thinking about any country you rated good or very good, please make any comment you wish about what they do well.

Question Title

* 8. Thinking about any country you rated poor or very poor, please make any comment you wish about the problem, e.g. unusually or unreasonably narrow definition(s) of acceptable documentation.

Question Title

* 9. What percentage of short-stay visa applications to Europe would you estimate are by first-time applicants, for the business you deal with?

Question Title

* 10. Thinking about the requirements to apply for an individual FIRST TIME visa (single or MEV) how would you rank the following in terms of DETERRENCE?Number 1 should be the one you think causes most difficulty.

Question Title

* 11. Thinking about supporting documentation required along with the visa application, please rank the following in terms of how problematic they can be. Number 1 should be the most problematic.

Question Title

* 12. Thinking about what would improve the process or service offered, please rank the following in terms of priority. Number 1 should be the most important.

Question Title

* 13. Overall, thinking about how you work with countries' consulates or their official visa processing agencies, please rate your response to the following statements

Question Title

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* 15. Do you sell UK/Ireland product?

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* 16. Do you sell product that requires clients to obtain two visas: e.g. Schengen, and either Ireland or UK?

Question Title

* 17. Overall, thinking about current visa application processing in the Asian markets you work with, which of the issues below to you consider to be particularly important to address? Tick all that apply.

Question Title

* 18. Thinking about the previous 12 months, what percentage of enquiries for holidays to the following destinations do you estimate did not turn into bookings due to visa-related problems?

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* 19. Overall, thinking about clients who choose not to start an application once they realise the requirements, what do you think they most likely to do? Please rank, with 1 being the most likely.

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* 20. What percentage of bookings or reservations to the following destination do you estimate were cancelled (by you or client) due to visa-related problems?

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* 21. Thinking about clients who choose to abandon a visa application due to the process or other requirements, what do you think they most likely to do? Please rank, with 1 being the most likely.

Question Title

* 22. For business from mainland China only: thinking about clients who choose to abandon plans for a trip to Ireland/UK/Schengen either before or during the visa application process, what do you think they most likely to do next? Please rank, with 1 being the most likely.

Question Title

* 23. For China to Europe only: If you participate in the Approved Destination Status (ADS) schemes, please comment on current issues or make suggestions for improvements. (Please specify if Schengen or UK schemes).

Question Title

* 24. Are you aware of the British-Irish Visa Scheme for visitors travelling from China or India?

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* 25. If you use this programme (see preceding question), to which authority do you most frequently apply?

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* 26. Are you aware of the Irish Government Short-Stay Visa Waiver programme for visitors travelling via the UK?

Question Title

* 27. If you use this programme (see preceding question), in your opinion does it increase visits to Ireland from people who would otherwise have to obtain a separate Irish visa?

Question Title

* 28. If you think any non-European country has a particularly good visa application and processing system please indicate here which one(s). Please tell us what is good about their system.

Question Title

* 29. If you think any European countries outside EU and Schengen (excluding UK) - for example Russia, Turkey or non-EU Balkan countries - offer a good visa application and processing system please indicate here which one(s). Please tell us what is good about their system.

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* 30. If you have any other comment to make on the topic of visa facilitation from Asia to Europe, please do so here.

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* 10. Thinking about the requirements to apply for an individual FIRST TIME visa (single or MEV) how would you rank the following in terms of DETERRENCE?
Number 1 should be the one you think causes most difficulty.