EU Profits €56 Million from Rejected Visa Applications

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Key Takeaways:

African nationals spent €56.3 million on visa applications in 2023, with many suffering high rejection rates.
Algeria and Morocco faced substantial economic impacts due to high rejection rates and visa application costs.
Schengen visa fees will increase in June 2024, exacerbating financial burdens for African applicants already facing high rejection rates.

How Much Did African Countries Spend on Rejected Visa Applications?

In 2023, African nationals spent an astonishing €56.3 million on visa application fees. This represents 43% of all expenses related to visa applications for the year. Unfortunately, this significant expenditure did not guarantee visa approval for many applicants. In fact, African and Asian countries bore the brunt of high rejection rates, with 90% of the visa application expenses coming from these regions.

EU Profits €56 Million from Rejected Visa Applications

How Many Visas Were Rejected for African Nationals in 2023?

According to Schengen Visa Statistics, about 704,000 African nationals received negative responses to their visa requests in 2023. Given that a Schengen visa application costs €80, this means that €56.3 million was spent on unsuccessful applications. This staggering figure underscores the economic burden on African individuals and families who, despite paying substantial fees, did not receive the visas they sought.

Which Country Spent the Most on Schengen Visa Applications?

Algeria topped the list of expenditures for Schengen visa applications in 2023. Algerians were the country of origin for the most rejected applications, accounting for 23.5% of all amounts spent on these futile attempts. With 289,000 out of the 704,000 applications being rejected, Algerians faced a 42.3% rejection rate.

A Schengen visa application cost of €80 is particularly significant when you consider that it amounts to nearly one-third of the average monthly wage in Algeria, which is around €300.

Why Are Moroccan Citizens Facing High Rejection Rates?

Morocco was also a significant contributor to the rejected visa application pool, with Moroccans being the top applicants from Africa. In 2023, 437,000 Moroccan visa requests were denied, comprising 62% of total rejections. Moroccans spent a total of €10.9 million on rejected visa applications in 2023, showcasing the economic impact of these denials on African countries.

What Is the Impact of Visa Rejections on African and Asian Countries?

A study by EU Observer revealed that the economic toll of Schengen visa rejections was substantial, amounting to €130 million in 2023, up from €105 million the previous year. The data showed that countries in Africa and Asia represented 90% of all costs related to denied Schengen visas.

Marta Foresti, Founder of LAGO Collective, encapsulates the issue succinctly:

“We never hear about these costs when discussing aid or migration, it is time to change that.”

Will Schengen Visa Fees Increase?

Yes, there will be an increase in Schengen visa fees beginning June 11, 2024. The EU has announced that visa fees will rise from €80 to €90. This means that African nationals, who are already facing high rejection rates, will experience an increase in expenses from €56.3 million to approximately €63 million.

What Can Be Done to Address This Issue?

Addressing the issue of high visa rejection rates and the resulting financial burden on applicants from African countries requires a multi-faceted approach:

Improved Transparency: Clearer guidelines and better communication about the visa application process can help applicants understand the criteria for success and avoid common pitfalls.
Economic Relief Programs: Providing economic support or fee waivers for low-income applicants could alleviate the financial strain on individuals from poorer nations.
Advocacy and Policy Change: Advocates and policymakers can work towards fairer and more equitable immigration policies that take into account the economic realities of applicants from less affluent countries.

Are Rejected Visa Applications ‘Reverse Remittances’?

The high cost of rejected visa applications is sometimes referred to as “reverse remittances,” where the money flows from poorer countries to richer nations, rather than the other way around. In essence, the individuals from these countries are contributing to the economies of EU countries without receiving any direct benefit in return.

For further information on the Schengen visa process, you can visit the official Schengen Visa Information page.

Conclusion

The financial burden of rejected visa applications on African nations is significant and growing. In 2023 alone, African nationals spent €56.3 million on failed visa attempts. With upcoming fee increases set to push costs even higher, it’s essential to seek greater transparency and fairness in the visa application process. Steps must be taken to mitigate the economic impact on individuals who can least afford it, ensuring that the financial and emotional toll of visa rejections does not continue to disproportionately affect the world’s poorest nations.

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Glossary of Immigration Terms

Schengen Visa: A short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any of the Schengen Area member countries for stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
Visa Rejection Rate: The percentage of visa applications that are denied. High rejection rates indicate that many applicants do not meet the requirements set by the immigration authorities.
Application Fee: The amount of money that must be paid when submitting a visa application. For Schengen visas, this fee is €80, increasing to €90 in June 2024.
Economic Burden: The financial strain experienced by individuals or countries due to costs associated with unsuccessful visa applications. This includes the large sums spent on application fees that are not refunded after a visa rejection.
Reverse Remittances: Funds that flow from poorer nations to richer countries through rejected visa application fees, contrasting with traditional remittances where money is sent from wealthier to poorer countries.

This Article In A Nutshell:

In 2023, African nationals spent €56.3 million on rejected visa applications, with Algeria and Morocco facing the highest rejection rates. Despite paying hefty fees, many applicants were denied visas, highlighting a significant economic burden. Upcoming fee hikes will further increase these costs, necessitating greater transparency and fairness in the process.
— By VisaVerge.com

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