Entrepreneurs in five African countries are among those most affected by Schengen visa rejections, a recent report by Henley and Partners.
The report highlights that Africa accounted for seven of the top ten countries worldwide with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates in 2022.
“Africa accounted for seven of the top ten countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates in 2022.” The report says.
The report adds, “Globally, the absolute number of Schengen visa applications decreased from 16.7 million in 2014 to 7.6 million in 2022, representing a decline of almost 9 million applications. In other words, the global number of Schengen visa applications declined by nearly 54.7%,”
The report indicates a significant decline in the absolute number of Schengen visa applications globally, dropping from 16.7 million in 2014 to 7.6 million in 2022, representing a decrease of nearly 54.7%.
However, African visa applicants face particularly stringent restrictions compared to those from other regions, resulting in a disproportionately high rejection rate. In 2022, Africa topped the list with 30% or one in three of all processed applications being turned down, despite having the lowest number of visa applications per capita.
This situation presents challenges for hardworking entrepreneurs who aspire to expand their businesses beyond their borders but are hindered by visa restrictions. Such limitations not only impede the growth potential of African businesses but also contribute to a cycle of dependency on domestic markets.
Here are the top ten African countries with highest Schengen visa rejections
Algeria 45.8%
Guinea-Bissau 45.2%
Nigeria 45.1%
Ghana 43.6%
Haiti 42.3%
Senegal 41.6%
Guinea 40.6%
Pakistan 40.5%
Mali 39.9%
