Nabil Tabarout, a 29-year-old web developer from Algeria, has encountered disappointment twice as France denied his visa applications, despite his intention to visit his sister there this year.
His experience is not unique. Across Africa, many face significant challenges navigating the Schengen visa process, which exhibits markedly higher rejection rates compared to global averages. Securing appointments proves to be a hurdle, often compounded by stringent requirements such as demonstrating sufficient funds, outlining the purpose of the visit, and showing intent to return home.
“For every pleasure, there’s pain,” Tabarout lamented, having managed to obtain a French visa only once.
While Europe’s migration discourse largely focuses on unauthorized arrivals, the majority opt for legal pathways. However, adhering to regulations does not guarantee success, with rejection rates in Africa exceeding the global norm by 10%. This disparity not only obstructs personal travel but also impedes economic exchanges and educational opportunities, which are crucial for African economies.
A study by Henley & Partners highlighted these disproportionate practices as discriminatory and urged reform among Schengen countries to alleviate these barriers.
Algeria stands out with the highest rejection rates in Africa, where over 392,000 applications were turned down in 2022, resulting in a rejection rate of 45.8%. Guinea-Bissau follows closely with 45.2%, and Nigeria with 45.1%.
Comparatively, applicants from the United States face minimal rejections, with only one in 25 applications being denied.
The study also underscored political factors influencing visa outcomes, suggesting that rejections may serve as a diplomatic tool for negotiating migration policies between Europe and North African countries like Algeria. Such dynamics contribute to the high rejection rates witnessed among North African applicants, who often seek visas in countries like France due to linguistic and familial ties, as well as geographical proximity.
Mehari Taddele Maru, author of the study from the European University Institute’s Migration Policy Center, emphasized that visa difficulties are not solely about rejection rates but also about the restrictive policies governing the application process itself.
For Algerians like Tabarout, recent changes in visa application procedures, including the involvement of VFS Global, aim to address longstanding criticisms of the previous system’s inefficiencies and exploitation by intermediaries.
Previously, securing a visa appointment in Algeria was fraught with challenges, with reports of exorbitant fees charged by third-party brokers. Critics likened the process to scalping, where appointments were swiftly reserved and resold at inflated prices.
Under the revamped system, efforts are being made to streamline the process and curb exploitation, ensuring fairer access to visa appointments for all applicants.
Despite these challenges, many Algerians continue to seek opportunities in France, whether for economic prospects or educational pursuits. A significant number choose to remain in France following their studies, reflecting broader migration trends and economic aspirations.
As diplomatic engagements between Algeria and France continue, efforts are underway to foster greater bilateral cooperation, including easing visa procedures to facilitate trade and business initiatives between the two countries.
French Ambassador Stephane Ramotet underscored this commitment at a recent economic conference in Algiers, emphasizing the importance of facilitating travel for Algerians seeking to contribute to economic development in both France and Algeria.