Nearly half of Nigerians who applied for Schengen visas in 2024 were turned down, as rejection rates for travel to Europe continue to climb.
New data from the European Commission shows that Nigeria had a rejection rate of 45.9%, ranking third worldwide among countries with the highest visa refusal rates.
This marks significant increase from 40.8% in 2023, suggesting growing challenges for Nigerian applicants seeking entry into the Schengen Zone.
The Schengen area, consisting of 29 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—offers visa-free movement within its borders once a short-stay visa is granted. However, securing that visa is proving difficult for many.
The statistics revealed that over 11.7 million short-stay Schengen visa applications were submitted globally in 2024, a 13.6% increase from 2023’s total of 10.3 million. While over 9.7 million visas were approved—up from 8.5 million last year—the overall number of applications still falls short of the 17 million submitted in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the growing number of successful applications, rejection rates remain high for certain countries, notably Nigeria, Senegal, and Bangladesh.
Countries With the Highest Schengen Visa Rejection Rates in 2024
1. Bangladesh – 54.9%
Bangladesh leads the global chart for Schengen visa rejections. The rate surged from 43.3% in 2023 to 54.9% in 2024, indicating stricter assessments for Bangladeshi applicants.
2. Senegal – 46.8%
Senegal recorded the second-highest rejection rate at 46.8%, up from 42.1% in the previous year. This marks a continuing trend of limited visa success for Senegalese travellers.
3. Nigeria – 45.9%
Nigerian applicants experienced a noticeable rise in visa denials. From 40.8% in 2023, the rejection rate climbed to 45.9%, raising concerns over documentation and eligibility requirements.
4. Republic of the Congo – 43%
Congo (Brazzaville) saw its rejection rate rise to 43%, a significant jump from 35.3% in 2023, placing it fourth on the list.
5. Mauritania – 32.5%
Although slightly improved from 36.6% last year, Mauritania still ranks among countries with high rejection rates at 32.5%.
6. Ecuador – 29.6%
Ecuador’s rate increased from 24.4% in 2023 to 29.6% in 2024, suggesting increased caution in approving visa applications from the country.
7. Syria – 27%
Interestingly, Syria saw a notable drop in its rejection rate—from 46% in 2023 to 27% this year—hinting at improved processing or relaxed entry barriers.
8. Iran – 26%
Iran’s refusal rate also declined, moving from 30.3% to 26%, showing slight progress in application approvals.
9. Türkiye – 14.5%
Türkiye registered a lower refusal rate of 14.5%, down from 16.1% last year, a positive trend for Turkish applicants.
10. Cape Verde – 13.4%
Cape Verde recorded the lowest rejection rate among the top 10, with a significant improvement from 24% in 2023.
Rising Rejections Amid High Demand
The overall increase in application numbers reflects a strong global demand to travel to Europe.
However, the heightened scrutiny and stricter documentation requirements are making it harder for citizens of some nations, especially in Africa and Asia, to secure approvals.
In 2024, Nigeria also reportedly led African countries in financial losses from Schengen visa refusals, with rejections amounting to over €4.3 million in non-refundable visa fees.
Experts suggest that improved documentation, transparency, and streamlined application processes could help applicants avoid common pitfalls. Nonetheless, the trend shows that access to Europe via short-stay visas is becoming increasingly selective.
