Over ten years, France is estimated to have received approximately 243.6 million euros solely from rejected Schengen visa applications. A considerable sum equivalent to more than 159.8 billion CFA francs, based on a conversion rate of around 655.957 CFA per euro. These non-refundable fees are nonetheless paid by thousands of African applicants whose applications are denied. This mechanism raises deep indignation: not only is access to the territory refused, but the applicants are, against their will, financing a system that excludes them.

Figures that reflect an alarming trend

Statistics from Schengen News reveal a gradual increase in visa refusals in 2024: 3,486,275 applications, 578,687 rejected; in 2023: 2,972,988 applications, 506,611 rejected; in 2021: 982,143 applications, 194,181 rejected; and from 2017 to 2019: an average of 4.3 million applications annually, with between 537,000 and 686,000 rejections each year. “When we talk about visas, we’re talking about something closely tied to diplomacy and domestic policies of states. Yet, there are diplomatic system difficulties for some African or even Asian states in negotiating with their Schengen counterparts,” says Mouhamad Maiga.

The cost of the Schengen visa continues to rise. In 2020, it went from 60 to 80 euros, and then to 90 euros in 2024. An inflation that increases the burden on rejected applicants. In 2023 alone, Africans are estimated to have lost about 56.3 million euros through rejected Schengen visa applications, or approximately 36.9 billion CFA francs.

Countries most affected by rejections

North Africa tops the regions with the highest number of Schengen visa applicants. Algeria ranks first, with around 13 million euros spent in 2023 on ultimately rejected visa applications. It is followed by Morocco, whose refusals amounted to nearly 11 million euros.

Egypt ranks third with 3.75 million euros spent on unapproved applications. Nigeria, the only West African country in this ranking, comes in fourth with 3.44 million euros, while Tunisia rounds out the top five with 3.11 million euros. These figures concern only short-stay visas (type C), mainly for tourism or family visits.

Travel agencies: between assistance and helplessness

For travel agencies, the situation is delicate. Alassane Diallo, director of Safabhe Voyages, says that some clients meet all the criteria, with no guarantee of approval. The most frequent reasons for refusal? “The intention to return is not established,” according to consulates, which doubt the credibility of financial guarantees. A study by the European Union Observer indicates that Africans and Asians bear 90% of the costs linked to rejected Schengen visa applications. And this share could increase further with the latest price hike in June 2024: €90 for adults (i.e., 59,000 CFA) and €45 for children aged 6 to 12 (30,000 CFA).

A situation that highlights the persistent inequality in access to international mobility, and the urgency of reforms in relations between Europe and the African continent.