Africans lost 56 million euros in refused Schengen visas in 2023

In 2023, African nationals spent over 56 million euros on refused Schengen visa applications. This represents a considerable loss for applicants and raises questions about the fairness of the Schengen visa system. According to statistics, 704,000 visa applications were rejected..

Countries most affected by Schengen visa refusals

Algerians were the hardest hit by Schengen visa refusals in 2023. With 166,200 applications rejected out of 474,032 submitted, they lost over 13 million euros. The refusal rate for Algerians is 35 %, one of the highest among African countries.. The cost of the visa application, which was 80 euros before the recent increase, represents more than a third of the average salary in Algeria.

Moroccans followed with 136,300 visa refusals, resulting in a loss of almost 11 million euros. Other countries heavily impacted include Egypt (3.7 million euros), Nigeria (3.4 million euros) and Tunisia (3.1 million euros). The Senegalese, with a loss of 2.11 million euros, complete the list.

Country Number of refusals Amount lost (in millions of euros) Refusal rate
Algeria 166 200 13,0 35%
Morocco 136 300 11,0 Not specified
Egypt Not specified 3,7 Not specified
Nigeria Not specified 3,4 Not specified
Tunisia Not specified 3,1 Not specified
Senegal Not specified 2,11 Not specified

The 56 million euros lost by Africans represents 43 % of the total sums lost by non-European nationals whose Schengen visas have been refused. The increase in the cost of the visa application to 90 euros since June 11, 2023 further accentuates the financial impact of refusals. While the European Commission justifies this increase on the grounds of inflation in member states, it also increases the financial burden for African applicants.

Refused visa fees are not refunded, often involving private intermediaries.

Visas as a diplomatic tool

The European Union uses visa policy as a diplomatic tool, particularly towards countries deemed insufficiently cooperative when it comes to readmitting their nationals illegally present in the EU. This approach raises questions about the balance between migration control objectives and the economic impact on applicants' countries of origin.

Digitization of Schengen visa procedures

The Council of the European Union recently adopted new rules aimed at digitizing the Schengen visa procedure.. This initiative, presented by the European Commission last year, aims to simplify the visa application process by doing away with the physical visa sticker and enabling applications to be submitted online via a dedicated platform. The objectives of this digitization include improving the visa application procedure, reducing costs and the administrative burden for EU countries and applicants, and facilitating travel for Schengen visa holders.

Enlargement of the Schengen area

Recent developments in the Schengen area include the partial accession of Bulgaria and Romania from March 31, 2024.. Although this development does not directly concern African applicants, it illustrates the dynamics of the Schengen area's ongoing expansion and transformation. The integration of these countries could indirectly influence visa policies and tourist flows throughout the Schengen area, with potential repercussions for visa applicants of all origins.

According to figures published by the European CommissionIn 2023, consulates in EU countries and those associated with the Schengen area received more than 10.3 million applications for short-stay visas, an increase of 37 % compared with 2022. However, this figure is still lower than the 17 million applications recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall refusal rate has fallen slightly, from 17.9 % in 2022 to 16 % in 2023. Some countries saw an increase in their refusal rate, such as Iran, from 25.2 % in 2022 to 30.3 % in 2023.

As CEO of Visamundi, I am dedicated to facilitating international travel by helping our customers obtain visas worldwide. By staying at the forefront of ever-changing regulations, I ensure that our agency is a trusted pillar in the field of visa services.

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