In 2024, African nationals applying for Schengen visas collectively lost close to $70 million in non-refundable fees, according to a recent report by the LAGO Collective. The study highlights a troubling trend of disproportionately high rejection rates faced by African applicants, raising questions about transparency, fairness, and possible systemic bias within Europe’s visa approval system.
Among the countries most affected was Nigeria, where applicants alone forfeited an estimated $5 million. The report notes that despite providing comprehensive documentation, including financial records, employment verification, and travel itineraries, many African applicants were denied visas without any detailed explanation or recourse.
“The system is fundamentally flawed,” said a spokesperson from the LAGO Collective. “There is a significant lack of transparency, and the burden of proof seems arbitrarily higher for African nationals than for applicants from other regions. This has resulted in a system that not only discriminates but financially penalizes the most vulnerable.”
The organization’s data shows rejection rates between 40% and 50% in several African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana—figures that far exceed the global average for Schengen visa rejections. Applicants from these countries often find themselves trapped in a cycle of reapplications, each involving a financial cost that can be considerable in local economies. The typical Schengen visa fee, which was increased in July 2024, currently stands at €90 (roughly $100 USD), a significant amount for many individuals in low- and middle-income countries.
For applicants, the consequences extend beyond financial losses. Missed business opportunities, canceled academic plans, and the emotional toll of rejection add to the burden. While some have pursued legal avenues to challenge visa denials—occasionally with success—most do not have the means or knowledge to do so. Reapplying, often without understanding why their initial application failed, becomes the only option.
European authorities have responded to concerns by pointing to security and immigration control measures. Some officials argue that higher scrutiny is necessary in regions with a history of overstays or irregular migration. However, critics argue that this rationale does not justify the lack of individualized assessments and the absence of clear communication to rejected applicants.
“The visa process should not be a black box,” said Dr. Amina Diallo, a migration policy expert based in Dakar. “If people are denied entry, they deserve to know why. Otherwise, it becomes a pay-to-play system where African citizens pay millions only to face silence.”
The issue of Schengen visa access has long been contentious. While the European Union promotes values of openness and partnership with Africa, visa policies remain a stumbling block in diplomatic and economic relations. Several African governments have raised the issue at international forums, calling for greater reciprocity and fairness.
In recent years, the EU has taken steps to digitize the visa process and streamline procedures. However, critics say these reforms do not address the core issue of unequal treatment. As rejection rates continue to climb in Africa, there is growing pressure on European institutions to ensure that the visa process upholds the principles of justice, equity, and transparency.
For now, thousands of African applicants each year continue to pay a steep price—financially and emotionally—for a system many believe is stacked against them.
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