Africans continue to face significant barriers when applying for visas to enter the Schengen Area, a group of 29 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. The Schengen visa allows non-EU nationals to make short-term visits of up to 90 days, but a recent study shows that African applicants are disproportionately affected by visa rejections.
In 2023, the Schengen states collectively generated a staggering US$906 million in visa application fees, of which US$145 million came from rejected applications. African nationals alone contributed US$61 million to this figure, highlighting the significant financial burden placed on individuals who often see their visa requests denied.
Visa Rejection Rates Skyrocket for Africans
A report from the British migration consultancy Henley & Partners reveals that African countries dominate the list of those with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates. In 2022, seven of the top ten countries with the highest rejection rates were African nations, including Algeria, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Ghana.
The increase in rejection rates for African applicants has been stark. In 2014, only 18% of African visa applications were denied, compared to a global rejection rate of 5%. However, by 2022, the rejection rate for African applications had surged to 30%, while the global average rose to 17.5%.
Factors Behind the High Rejection Rates
A key factor contributing to the high rejection rates is the Schengen Area’s visa policy, which heavily emphasizes an applicant’s economic status and the “strength” of their passport. Wealthier nations tend to have stronger passports, granting their citizens visa-free or easier access to several countries. In contrast, individuals from poorer countries, many of which are in Africa, have weaker passports, meaning they face more obstacles when traveling abroad.
The visa rejection rates are closely linked to income levels and the so-called “passport power” of African nations. Countries with lower GDP and weaker passports tend to experience higher rejection rates, as their citizens are often seen as higher risks for overstaying their visas or failing to return home.
Why Are African Visa Applications Being Rejected?
Officially, most visa rejections are attributed to concerns over the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen Area before the visa expires. According to the EU’s Visa Code Handbook, consular officers assess applicants based on factors such as their socio-economic situation, employment status, and family ties. This assessment relies on circumstantial evidence, leaving significant discretion to immigration officials, which can lead to inconsistencies and, in some cases, discrimination based on nationality.
Documents like proof of employment, financial means, and property ownership are often required to demonstrate an applicant’s ties to their home country. However, this system inherently favors applicants from wealthier nations or those with established economic stability, while penalizing those from poorer regions.
Migration expert Mehari Taddele Maru, who contributed to the Henley & Partners report, argues that this system disproportionately affects Africans and may not serve its intended purpose. “There is no evidence to suggest that higher rejection rates reduce irregular migration or visa overstays,” Maru said. Instead, the system seems to perpetuate inequality and restricts the legal mobility of African citizens.
A Call for Change
The visa policies of the Schengen group are increasingly being seen as a roadblock to stronger ties between Europe and Africa. Although the European Union has pledged to improve legal migration pathways, including visa facilitation and labor migration programs, progress has been slow. Current policies largely benefit skilled workers within the EU, leaving African applicants at a disadvantage.
For real change to happen, reform is needed not only in Europe but also within Africa itself. African nations must prioritize creating opportunities for their citizens by investing in economic development, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Moreover, African governments should ratify the African Union’s 2018 protocol on free movement within the continent, which remains unratified by most countries.
Reforming the Schengen visa system would benefit both Europe and Africa. By expanding legal migration pathways for Africans, Europe could address labor shortages while strengthening political and economic ties with the continent. As the global demand for labor grows, opening more legal pathways for African citizens could offer mutual benefits that far outweigh the costs.