IN a striking revelation, Africa has emerged atop the global charts for visa refusal rates, despite having the lowest number of visa applications per capita. According to a recent report released by Henley & Partners, the refusal rate stands at a staggering 30 percent, shedding light on a systemic issue impacting the continent’s economic mobility.
Algeria, recording 392,053 Schengen visa applications, faced a rejection rate of 46 percent, setting a concerning precedent. Similarly, countries like Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Mali witnessed refusal rates ranging between 40 percent and 45 percent, exacerbating the challenges faced by African travellers.
Commenting on the disparity, Mehari Taddele Maru, a professor at the European University Institute, highlighted, ‘The rejection rates for African applicants for Schengen visas are generally 10 percent higher than the global average, three times higher than the highest rejection rate, and ten times higher than for US-Americans.’
Maru emphasised the apparent bias within the European visa system, indicating a disparity that transcends mere security or economic concerns.
European states, however, justify most rejections by citing ‘reasonable doubts about the visa applicants’ intention to return home.’ Yet, the report suggests that visa rejection is increasingly employed as a tool to manage the return and readmission of illegal migrants in Europe, thereby penalizing African countries disproportionately.
The economic ramifications are profound. African citizens’ ability to travel abroad and engage in international business ventures is severely curtailed by lengthy visa processes and high rejection rates. Chidinma Okebalama, a senior consultant at Henley & Partners Nigeria, noted, ‘The lack of visa-free access restricts the flow of talent and expertise across borders, hindering regional and international collaboration and innovation.’
Furthermore, the disparity in visa-free access between African countries and their wealthier counterparts is stark. While Hungary boasts access to 90.6 percent of the global GDP without a visa, Nigeria’s access is limited to a mere 1.5 percent, perpetuating economic inequality on a global scale.
In light of these challenges, experts propose investment migration as a potential solution. Dominic Volek, group head of private clients at Henley & Partners, advocates for African countries to explore residence and citizenship by investment opportunities.
‘By offering residence and citizenship by investment opportunities, African countries can attract vital foreign capital, stimulate job creation, and foster knowledge transfer,’ Volek suggests. ‘This not only benefits the host nations but also provides African HNWIs [high net worth individuals] and their families with enhanced global mobility and risk diversification options.’
As Africa grapples with the implications of visa rejection rates, investment migration emerges as a promising avenue for bolstering economic growth and fostering international collaboration.