Why Schengen Visa Rejection Rates for Africans are 10x Higher than for Americans
A bank document showing a rejected stamp, highlighting financial issues linked to Sudanese government atrocities.
With a 30% refusal rate, Africa topped the list of visa refusals in 2022, according to a new report from Henley and Partners, despite having the lowest number of visa applications per capita. Algeria recorded 392,053 Schengen visa applications, 46% of which were rejected. For Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Mali, the refusal rates were between 40% and 45%. Mehari Taddele Maru, professor at the European University Institute said, “Despite justifications based on security or economic concerns, the European visa system clearly demonstrates apparent bias against African applicants.” According to European states, most rejections are based on “reasonable doubts about the visa applicants’ intention to return home.”