The rejection rate for Schengen visa applications from Nigerians has reached a four-year high due to stricter visa policies and enhanced scrutiny by European Union member states, according to data from SchengenVisaInfo.eu. In 2023, the number of rejected applications rose by 9.97%, totaling 42,940 compared to 39,189 in 2022.
This increase has resulted in higher costs associated with rejected visas, amounting to €3.44 million in 2023, up from €3.14 million the previous year. SchengenVisaInfo.eu attributed these rising rejection rates to more rigorous visa policies aimed at managing migration flows and addressing security concerns within the Schengen Area.
The platform highlighted that African and Asian nations collectively spent €56.3 million on visa application fees in 2023, accounting for 43% of the total expenses. Marta Foresti, Founder of LAGO Collective, emphasized the significant financial burden borne by the world’s poorest due to visa rejections, describing these costs as ‘reverse remittances’.
Looking ahead, the trend of increasing visa rejections is expected to continue in 2024, exacerbated by recent adjustments such as the rise in adult visa application fees from €80 to €90. This change is projected to potentially increase European revenues from visa fees amid persistently high rejection rates, affecting a significant number of Nigerian applicants who spent €8.47 million on Schengen visa applications in 2023.
As the EU employs visa restrictions more strategically, including extended processing times and heightened scrutiny under Article 25a of its 2019 visa code, the landscape for visa applicants, particularly from countries with low migrant return rates like Ethiopia, remains challenging.
In summary, the tightening of Schengen visa policies underscores the EU’s efforts to reinforce migration control measures, despite concerns over the financial impact on visa applicants and broader geopolitical implications.
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