It is striking that the increase in the number of visa applications is not only due to the lifted entry restrictions. For some destinations, these had already largely been withdrawn in the winter of 2021/2022.
The number of applied for tourist visas for long-distance travel has increased explosively in January 2023 compared to a year ago, according to figures from visa agency VisumBuitenland.nl. Applications are also submitted on average longer before departure. The visa office has noticed that there is little fear of the corona virus anymore.
Tipping point reached
Very recently published figures from Statistics Netherlands (1) show that in 2022 there were still 24,7% fewer flights than in 2019, before the corona pandemic. However, the visa office sees that a tipping point has been reached in the past month. Based on recent visa applications, the visa office expects normal travel to resume in 2023.
Entry restrictions were not decisive for many travelers
It is striking that the increase in the number of visa applications is not only due to the lifted entry restrictions. For some destinations, these had already largely been withdrawn in the winter of 2021/2022. Take Egypt and Kenya for example. In January 2022, only a vaccination or test certificate was required for a trip to those countries. Yet more than half fewer visas were applied for for those countries than before the outbreak of the corona virus. A general sense of uncertainty about the future played a major role in this.
The downward trend in passenger numbers has since reversed. According to recent figures from the visa agency, the number of visa applications for Egypt and Kenya has more than doubled in January 2023 compared to the same month a year ago. The most likely reason for this increase is that travelers are no longer afraid that the virus will affect their travel plans.
Spectacular increase in visa applications for New Zealand, Australia and India
The increase in the number of visa applications is of course even more spectacular for destinations that were still subject to strict entry restrictions in January 2022. Good examples are New Zealand, Australia and India. After the gradual relaxation of the corona measures in the course of 2022, the number of visa applications for those destinations has increased more than sixfold in a year.
Time between visa application and departure date
The increased confidence is also confirmed by another indicator. The visa office keeps track of how long visas are applied for before departure. In January 2022, visas were applied for on average two weeks shorter before departure than before the corona pandemic. In January 2023, the average time between submitting the visa application and the start of the holiday was back to the old level. It can be concluded from the fact that tourists are applying for their visas well before departure that they are no longer concerned about the influence of the corona virus on their travel plans.
VisaBuitenland.nl
VisaBuitenland.nl is a visa agency specialized in processing applications for electronic travel authorizations. Because visa applications usually have to be submitted to immigration authorities abroad and in a foreign language, this is a complicated procedure for many travelers. Through technical solutions and personal support, the visa office makes applying for a visa as easy as ordering a pizza.
(1): Source CBS.
