Nigerians face surge in Schengen visa rejections – Report

• Nearly half (40.8 per cent) of Schengen visa applications by Nigerians in 2024 were rejected
• Nigeria ranks 11th among the top 20 countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates
• The report underscores the need to address global mobility inequalities and reduce barriers for African and other underrepresented regions

Nigerians are encountering a significant rise in visa rejections for Schengen nations as migration to developed countries surges. 

According to the latest Henley Global Mobility Report (January 2025), nearly half of all Schengen visa applications from Nigerians in 2024 were denied.

Out of 105,926 applications submitted by Nigerians, 42,940, representing 40.8 per cent, were rejected, placing Nigeria among the top 20 countries with the highest Schengen visa denial rates and ranking 11th overall.

Migration has long been a trend among Nigeria's middle class, but it has surged in recent years due to worsening economic conditions. 

Inflation reached a record high of 34.6 per cent in November 2024, increasing the cost-of-living crisis, unemployment, and lack of opportunities. These factors have driven thousands of Nigerians to seek better prospects abroad.

The report highlights that rising rejection rates stem largely from passport strength and identity-based visa policies. 

Over the past decade, the rejection rate for Nigerian and other African applicants has more than doubled, creating significant hurdles to economic mobility. 

Nigeria's passport currently ranks 94th on the global passport power index, reflecting limited visa-free travel access.

Despite accounting for a smaller share of global applications, African countries face higher Schengen visa rejection rates than other regions. 

The report revealed that six of the top 10 countries with the highest rejection rates are in Africa:

• Comoros: 61.3 per cent
• Guinea-Bissau: 51 per cent
• Ghana: 47.5 per cent
• Mali: 46.1 per cent
• Sudan: 42.3 per cent
• Senegal: 41.2 per cent

In total, African countries submitted only 2.8 per cent of global Schengen visa applications but faced a rejection rate of 44.8 per cent.

Three Asian countries, Pakistan (49.6 per cent), Syria (46 per cent), Bangladesh (43.3 per cent), and one European country, Greece (56.4 per cent), also featured among the top 10 nations with the highest visa rejection rates. 

Overall, African and Asian countries combined accounted for 6.8 per cent of all Schengen visa applications, with an average rejection rate of 40 per cent.

According to Prof. Mehari Maru of the School of Transnational Governance, the gap in global mobility continues to widen. 

“While global travel freedom has nearly doubled, the divide between the most mobile and least mobile nations has reached unprecedented levels,” he noted.

African applicants, despite submitting fewer applications than their Asian counterparts, are twice as likely to face rejection, with rejection rates 14 percentage points higher.

The report underscores how these barriers limit African opportunities, emphasising the urgent need to address the growing mobility divide.

Ghana approves visa-free entry for all African nationals

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo approved a groundbreaking policy granting visa-free entry for all African nationals, which would take effect before the end of his term on January 6, 2025.

The policy supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing the movement of people, goods, and services.