The number of Nigerians facing denial for Schengen visa applications has reached a four-year high, with the European Union’s tighter visa procedures and checks contributing to the trend.
According to SchengenVisaInfo.eu, a European website that provides impartial news and information regarding Schengen visas, the number of visas issued increased by 9.97% in 2023, from 39,189 in 2022 to 42,940.
The following important factors are predicted to enhance the chance of visa denials for Nigerian applicants.
Schengen countries have implemented more rigorous visa policies and checks to manage migration and security concerns. According to SchengenVisaInfo, the rejection rate for Nigerian applicants increased by 9.97% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
This increased scrutiny has led in more visa denials, particularly for candidates with missing paperwork or inconsistencies in their applications.
In 2023, the cost of rejected visas from Nigeria reached €3.44 million, indicating the financial burden of growing denials. This increase in charges highlights the gravity of the situation and the potential economic consequences for Nigerian passengers.
Schengen.News authors explain the higher rejection rates to Schengen countries’ tight adherence to visa requirements, which results in more rejections owing to inadequate documents or concerns about overstays.
African nationals, notably Nigerians, incur a significant financial burden in visa application fees, which reach €56.3 million in 2023. African and Asian countries experience disproportionately high rejection rates, suggesting visa inequity and its real implications.
Marta Foresti, Founder of LAGO Collective, discusses the concept of “reverse remittances,” in which money flows from poorer to richer countries because to rejected visa fees. This emphasizes the need of addressing visa inequity and its implications for global mobility.
The EU’s use of visa limits as a political instrument, along with a recent increase in visa application fees, suggests that Nigerian applicants may face higher rejection rates in 2024.
The EU’s decision to impose visa fines on countries with low migrant return rates, such as Ethiopia, signals a stricter approach to visa issuing. With the new fee structure increasing the total cost of visa applications, Nigerian travelers may encounter extra financial difficulties when applying for Schengen permits.
