Nearly half of Nigerian applications for Schengen visas were denied in 2024, leading to millions in non-refundable fees.
In 2024, Africans collectively lost nearly $70 million in denied visa applications, primarily for Schengen visas to Europe, according to CNN and other sources.
Nigeria lost approximately $5 million in 2024 as a result of Schengen visa application rejections. Out of over 50,000 applications submitted by Nigerian citizens, nearly half were denied. Each application carried a non-refundable fee of about $100, making the financial loss significant for individuals and the country.
African nations are experiencing growing financial setbacks due to this trend, with millions lost annually in non-refundable fees. Critics describe the situation as “reverse remittances,” where money flows from poorer countries to wealthier nations without returns.
“The poorest countries in the world pay the richest countries in the world money for not getting visas,” said one researcher.
Authorities responsible for visa processes have attributed refusals to reasons such as submission of false documents, insufficient travel history, and lack of strong ties to the applicant’s home country. Affected individuals can appeal decisions they believe to be unjust, though success rates remain unclear.