Africans Hit Hardest by Schengen Visa Rejections, New Data Shows
Newly released data has revealed a troubling trend
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African nationals continue to face the highest rates of Schengen visa rejections in the world. In 2023, six of the ten countries with the highest visa denial rates were African, with Comoros (61.3%), Guinea-Bissau (51%), Ghana (47.5%), Mali (46.1%), Sudan (42.3%), and Senegal (41.2%) all seeing rejection rates well above the global average of 16%. These high rejection rates reflect growing concerns over systemic inequalities in Europe’s visa application processes.
The Schengen visa allows travelers to move freely across 29 European countries, making it a crucial document for tourism, education, business, and cultural exchange. Yet, for many Africans, accessing this mobility remains a frustrating and expensive ordeal. In addition to high rejection rates, African applicants must often travel long distances to apply, face lengthy waiting times, and pay non-refundable fees averaging €80 per application. In 2023 alone, EU states collected €130 million in visa fees from rejected applications, much of it paid by applicants from low- and middle-income countries.
These denials go beyond financial loss. Many applicants report experiences of humiliation, arbitrary rejections, and a lack of transparency. Critics argue that the evaluation process is inherently biased, with consular officials making subjective judgments about whether applicants intend to return home. Such determinations often disproportionately affect citizens from economically disadvantaged countries, reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating global inequalities.
The impact is not just personal, it’s also cultural and economic. African musicians, scholars, businesspeople, and artists have raised alarm over repeated visa denials that prevent them from attending international events, exhibitions, or business meetings. As a result, Africa’s ability to engage in cultural diplomacy, education, innovation, and trade with Europe is significantly hindered. This stifles cross-border cooperation and damages long-term development goals.
In addition, human rights groups and mobility researchers have warned that these high rejection rates are undermining trust between African nations and Europe. The issue is also contributing to a sense of exclusion among young Africans, many of whom feel that legal pathways for mobility are increasingly blocked. Some have called for the European Union to establish an appeals process, reduce application costs, and adopt fairer, more transparent criteria.
Meanwhile, African policymakers are urging their European counterparts to review the Schengen visa framework. They argue that cooperation between continents should be built on mutual respect and fairness, not suspicion and restrictive gatekeeping. There are growing calls from civil society, think tanks, and development agencies for visa reforms that prioritize equity, mobility rights, and inclusive international engagement.
In summary, the latest data paints a clear picture: Africans are disproportionately bearing the brunt of Schengen visa rejections. Without urgent reforms to address systemic biases, the mobility divide between Africa and Europe will only widen at the expense of shared prosperity, global collaboration, and individual dignity.
