Nigeria has ranked fourth among African nations with the highest Schengen visa refusal rates in 2024, according to new data from the European Commission.
With a rejection rate of 45.9%, Nigeria trails behind Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, and places third globally after Bangladesh and Senegal.
This marks a rise from the country’s 40.8% rejection rate in 2023, signaling growing difficulties for Nigerians seeking entry into the Schengen Area.
The European Commission disclosed that 2024 saw a total of 11.7 million applications for short-stay Schengen visas—a 13.6% rise compared to 2023.
Despite the increase, visa issuance still lags behind pre-COVID figures, with only 9.7 million visas granted this year compared to 15 million in 2019.
The Schengen Zone, which includes 29 European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, allows for border-free travel across member nations.
However, for many African applicants, the journey to obtaining a Schengen visa remains fraught with challenges.
Top 10 African Countries with Highest Schengen Visa Rejection Rates in 2024
1. Comoros – 62.8%
The island nation tops the list with nearly two-thirds of visa requests denied.
2. Guinea-Bissau – 47.0%
Almost half of all applications from Guinea-Bissau were turned down.
3. Senegal – 46.8%
Senegal continues to face steep rejections, earning the third-highest rate in Africa.
4. Nigeria – 45.9%
Close to one in two Nigerian visa applications was refused, reflecting tighter scrutiny or persistent application issues.
5. Ghana – 45.5%
Ghanaian applicants are experiencing rejection rates similar to those of Nigeria.
6. Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) – 43.0%
The Central African nation has seen a noticeable spike in visa denials.
7. Mali – 42.9%
Mali also features prominently with nearly 43% of applications declined.
8. Guinea – 41.1%
Guinean citizens faced a high refusal rate, with over 40% of applications unsuccessful.
9. Burundi – 40.0%
An even four out of every ten applicants from Burundi were denied Schengen access.
10. Ethiopia – 36.1%
Though slightly lower, Ethiopia rounds out the list with more than a third of applications refused.
