Exploring the Unjust Reality of Visa Rejections for African Applicants

In 2024, African applicants found themselves at the unfortunate crossroads of costly visa applications and repeated rejections, losing nearly €60 million (approximately $67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees. This staggering figure comes from the LAGO Collective, a London-based research organization dedicated to understanding global mobility trends. It’s a harsh reality when we think about the dreams and aspirations that often lie behind these applications.

According to the report, it is clear that African nations face some of the most significant challenges in this regard. High rejection rates accompanied by escalating application fees paint a bleak picture. For example, Nigeria stood out with more than 50,000 short-stay visa applications denied last year alone, as reported by CNN. Imagine what it must feel like to invest hope, time, and money, only to receive a rejection letter instead of an opportunity.

It’s important to pause and reflect on the financial burden this places on applicants. The standard non-refundable visa fee was set at 90 euros (approximately $100). Thus, Nigerian applicants alone contributed over 4.5 million euros (around $5 million) to this system seeking entry into the 29 European countries that form the Schengen Area. It’s not merely a transaction; it’s a poignant reminder of dreams dashed against bureaucratic walls.

Underlying Issues: Discrimination and Systemic Bias

As Marta Foresti, the founder of LAGO, articulated, “The poorest countries in the world pay the richest countries in the world money for not getting visas.” This observation unveils a troubling truth within the visa application framework. The trend has been clear: as the economic status of an applicant’s home country diminishes, the likelihood of visa approval seems to shrink even further.

In some cases, rejection rates soared to alarming figures—anywhere from 40% to 50% for applicants from countries like Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria. Foresti characterizes this scenario as a reflection of “systemic discrimination and bias,” where the process effectively punishes individuals based on their nationality rather than their merit. One must ask: in a world increasingly focused on fairness and equality, how do we reconcile such disparate treatment?

Escalating Costs Coupled with Dwindling Chances

The financial strain was exacerbated in July 2024, when the standard Schengen visa fee increased from €80 to €90. This rise in fees places an even greater burden on hopeful travelers. Unlike many service charges, the harsh reality is that these visa application fees are non-refundable—even if a visa is ultimately denied. Think about the chilling impact this has on families who are already economically challenged; for many, a visa application becomes a gamble involving their hard-earned savings.

Foresti offers the eye-opening analogy of these financial losses acting as “reverse remittances,” suggesting money is flowing from impoverished nations to their wealthier European counterparts, who offer little in return. This raises a profound question: how sustainable is a system that continually extracts resources without offering opportunities in return?

Moreover, a separate report by Henley & Partners compounds these bleak observations. It indicates that African applicants were twice as likely to face rejection compared to their Asian counterparts. Ironically, they submitted about half the number of applications in comparison. Six out of ten countries with the highest visa rejection rates belong to Africa, emphasizing an urgent need for discourse around equality and human rights.

To put it into perspective, Comoros stands at the top of the rejection rate ladder with a staggering 61.3%, followed closely by Guinea-Bissau at 51%, Ghana at 47.5%, and Mali at 46.1%, with further rates recorded for Sudan (42.3%) and Senegal (41.2%). Each rejection carries the weight of ambition and effort, making one wonder how many potential contributions to economy, culture, or innovation were lost with those denied applications.

This entire scenario presents a critical juncture for a conversation regarding fairness in global mobility. It extends beyond mere statistics; it touches the core values of our interconnected world. How do we move forward in a manner that allows us to share opportunities equitably, regardless of one’s geographical origin? The collective voice of African applicants must not just be heard but amplified in discussions of global mobility policy reforms. We might ask ourselves, what responsibilities do we hold to foster a more inclusive and just system?

As this narrative continues to unfold, it remains essential for all stakeholders—governments, non-profits, and civil societies—to work collaboratively in advocating for a fairer and more transparent visa application process. It’s a challenging, yet necessary path that awaits.

Let us remember that behind every statistic lies a story—a story of hope, determination, and the pursuit of dreams. It is our duty to ensure those stories are honored and reflected in our systems.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring