Latest news with #LAGOCollective
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Germany rolls out Schengen visa processing centres in Nigeria, 2 other countries
The move, part of a new seven-year partnership between Germany's Federal Foreign Office and international visa outsourcing firm VFS Global, is expected to ease the visa application process for thousands of hopeful travelers from Africa and the Middle East. The new visa processing centers are located in Abuja and Lagos (Nigeria), Yaoundé (Cameroon), and Nicosia (Cyprus), and are designed to streamline visa processing, reduce long waiting times, and improve service delivery. The expansion comes as Germany continues to see rising demand from African and Middle Eastern nationals seeking entry for education, medical treatment, tourism, and employment. Before this new partnership, there were no operational visa centres run by VFS Global in Nigeria. As a result, most applicants were required to submit their documents directly at the German embassy or consulate, a process often plagued by limited appointment slots and long waiting periods. With the launch of the new centres, VFS Global will now manage the initial stages of the visa process, including application collection, biometric data capture, and appointment scheduling. This shift is expected to significantly streamline the experience and make services more accessible—particularly for applicants living outside major urban centres. Africa's struggle with Schengen visas African countries continue to face steep hurdles in securing Schengen visas, with several nations recording some of the highest rejection rates globally in 2024. These denials not only restrict mobility but also result in financial losses, as application fees are non-refundable. According to data from LAGO Collective, African applicants lost nearly €60 million ($67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees in 2024. The European Commission says countries with lower application volumes often see disproportionately high rejection rates, leaving many African travelers frustrated and uncertain. A separate Henley & Partners report shows African applicants are nearly twice as likely to be denied compared to their Asian counterparts, despite submitting fewer applications. The report highlighted the top five countries with the highest rejection rates were African. Comoros topped the list at 62.8%, followed by Guinea-Bissau (47.0%), Senegal (46.8%), Nigeria (45.9%), Ghana (45.5%), and the Republic of the Congo (43.0%). The data highlights ongoing visa inequality and growing calls for a more balanced and transparent process. By extending its consular presence in key regions, Berlin aims to address visa bottlenecks and enhance people-to-people ties.
Scroll.in
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
The racist penalty of Western visa regimes
Sudanese climate activist Roaa should have been leading meetings with other youth advocates at a United Nations climate conference in Germany in June. Instead, the 24-year-old was at home, having wasted hundreds of dollars and nearly two months preparing for a visa that was denied in less than 48 hours. Many of her peers, mostly from the Global North, flew into the city of Bonn without a hitch. 'I was the one who was leading the whole process, but I wasn't on the ground. I cried a lot, like literally every night,' Roaa, who asked that her surname and location not be published, told Context. 'Knowing everyone is there (at Bonn), but you are not there maybe because of your nationality gives you a very bad feeling, like I'm less than those people,' she said from her home in the Middle East after leaving Sudan in 2023 when civil war began. Stricter border and visa rules are increasingly limiting the participation of nationals from the Global South in high-level talks that tackle climate, global health, economic systems, conflicts and other pressing issues, policy researchers say. 'We are the ones who are affected the most, but we are not in the room,' said Roaa, a medical student. 'Most of the conferences happen in Europe and in the US. They are talking on behalf of us.' The rejections also have an economic cost. In 2024, Africans paid some 60 million euros ($70.10 million) for rejected Schengen visa applications, up from nearly 54 million euros in 2023, according to analysis by Britain-based research group LAGO Collective. Despite its lower volume of visa applications compared to other continents, Africa had some of the highest rejection rates from the European Commission, which issues Schengen visas for short visits to the European Union, the data showed. In recent years, far-right and populist parties have made gains in places like Italy, Sweden, Germany and the US, fuelling anti-immigrant policies across Western countries, where most global conferences are held. Underrepresented Nations most vulnerable to climate impacts, from flooding to droughts and rising seas, are often among the poorest, the least polluting and underrepresented at global talks, according to UN climate body, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UNFCCC, which hosts the Bonn summit and November's COP30 climate conference in Brazil, said it had no sway on visa processes, but had taken steps to diversify participation at its events by boosting the quota for Global South delegates. 'The major international conferences are the places where big decisions are being made with respect to global commitments,' said Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, director of politics and governance at Britain-based think-tank ODI Global. If those who are expected to implement global policies 'are not at the table', it compounds the inequalities they have been campaigning to change, said Nwajiaku-Dahou. Despite providing details of her job, university studies, financial accounts and letters of support to attend the UNFCCC summit, Roaa was told she did not submit sufficient evidence to prove she would return home from Germany. Roaa said she was denied the visa even after an appeal. The European Commission said in emailed comments that cases are assessed according to the 'purpose of stay, sufficient means of subsistence, and the applicants' will to return to their country of residence'. Not fair Ugandan HIV/AIDS youth advocate Joseph Robert Linda said he secured around $4,000 from sponsors to pay for flights, visa and hotel fees to attend last year's International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, only for his visa to be rejected. Linda said he was told there were 'reasonable doubts' about the authenticity of his documents and his intention to leave Germany, leading to his visa refusal. 'That was not fair at all to me because they gave me feedback just three to four days before the conference, so there is no way I could appeal,' the 28-year-old said in a phone call. Although the majority of global diseases occur in poorer countries, where around 80% of the world's population live, only 4% of health summits were held in these regions, according to a 2021 paper by Harvard Medical School researchers that reviewed more than 100 conferences spanning three decades. Between 1997 to 2019, just 39% of health conferences analysed had attendees from developing countries, the study published in BMJ Global Health journal added. While Linda was able to attend the conference virtually, he said that option required stable and affordable internet, something not available to people in many parts of the world. He said conference organisers should work more closely with authorities to get visas approved so more people can have their voices heard. Geneva-based group International AIDS Society, which runs the International AIDS Conference, said it has been switching its host city since 2023 after many delegates were unable to attend the year prior in Canada due to visa issues. Large conferences have to prioritise finding safe and welcoming spaces for 'the most marginalised among us', an International AIDS Society spokesperson said. Sudanese medical student Saida, who was refused a visa to attend a medical workshop in Italy this month, said it was ultimately up to Global South citizens to keep demanding change. 'You have to speak up ... This is a pattern that we see happening and that's something that needs to be changed,' said Saida, who also asked that her surname not be published.
Business Insider
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Cameroonian sued France over denied Schengen visa, won €1,200 in compensation
Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian, won a legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was unjustly rejected. Despite his rejection, Mboulè successfully contested the decision in French courts, receiving compensation and his visa. In 2024, African applicants collectively lost €60 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, with prices recently increased further. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Mboulè's experience has brought renewed attention to long-standing frustrations among African travellers over what many view as discriminatory and opaque visa policies enforced by European countries. Visa rejection despite stronger credentials Mboulè, who was born in France, had applied for the visa alongside his wife, a South African citizen, according to a report by CNN. Though she was unemployed at the time and had no personal income, she received a visa based on Mboulè's financial documents. His application, however, was rejected. 'The embassy said they refused my application because my documents were fake, and they weren't sure I would come back to South Africa, where I am a permanent resident," Mboulè said. The 39-year-old regional executive took legal action in French courts and won, forcing the French embassy in Johannesburg to grant his visa and pay him a fine of 1,200 euros. After he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. But even after he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. Millions lost to Schengen Visa rejections. The Cameroonian's case is unique as many Africans denied Schengen visas rarely appeal or contest the decisions in court. Instead, applicants often reapply, incurring additional costs in the process. In 2024 alone, African applicants lost nearly €60 million ($67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, according to data from the LAGO Collective, a London-based research group tracking global mobility. 'The financial cost of rejected visas is just staggering; you can think of them as 'reverse remittances,' money flowing from poor to rich countries, which we never hear about,' the LAGO Collective's Foresti says.
Business Insider
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Cameroonian sues France over denied Schengen visa, wins €1,200 in compensation
Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian, won a legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was unjustly rejected. Despite his rejection, Mboulè successfully contested the decision in French courts, receiving compensation and his visa. In 2024, African applicants collectively lost €60 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, with prices recently increased further. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Mboulè's experience has brought renewed attention to long-standing frustrations among African travellers over what many view as discriminatory and opaque visa policies enforced by European countries. Visa rejection despite stronger credentials Mboulè, who was born in France, had applied for the visa alongside his wife, a South African citizen, according to a report by CNN. Though she was unemployed at the time and had no personal income, she received a visa based on Mboulè's financial documents. His application, however, was rejected. 'The embassy said they refused my application because my documents were fake, and they weren't sure I would come back to South Africa, where I am a permanent resident," Mboulè said. The 39-year-old regional executive took legal action in French courts and won, forcing the French embassy in Johannesburg to grant his visa and pay him a fine of 1,200 euros. After he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. But even after he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. Millions lost to Schengen Visa rejections. The Cameroonian's case is unique as many Africans denied Schengen visas rarely appeal or contest the decisions in court. Instead, applicants often reapply, incurring additional costs in the process. In 2024 alone, African applicants lost nearly €60 million ($67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, according to data from the LAGO Collective, a London-based research group tracking global mobility. 'The financial cost of rejected visas is just staggering; you can think of them as 'reverse remittances,' money flowing from poor to rich countries, which we never hear about,' the LAGO Collective's Foresti says.
Business Insider
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Cameroonian denied Schengen visa sued France and won €1,200 in compensation
Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian, won a legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was unjustly rejected. Despite his rejection, Mboulè successfully contested the decision in French courts, receiving compensation and his visa. In 2024, African applicants collectively lost €60 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, with prices recently increased further. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Mboulè's experience has brought renewed attention to long-standing frustrations among African travellers over what many view as discriminatory and opaque visa policies enforced by European countries. Visa rejection despite stronger credentials Mboulè, who was born in France, had applied for the visa alongside his wife, a South African citizen, according to a report by CNN. Though she was unemployed at the time and had no personal income, she received a visa based on Mboulè's financial documents. His application, however, was rejected. 'The embassy said they refused my application because my documents were fake, and they weren't sure I would come back to South Africa, where I am a permanent resident," Mboulè said. The 39-year-old regional executive took legal action in French courts and won, forcing the French embassy in Johannesburg to grant his visa and pay him a fine of 1,200 euros. After he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. But even after he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. Millions lost to Schengen Visa rejections. The Cameroonian's case is unique as many Africans denied Schengen visas rarely appeal or contest the decisions in court. Instead, applicants often reapply, incurring additional costs in the process. In 2024 alone, African applicants lost nearly €60 million ($67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, according to data from the LAGO Collective, a London-based research group tracking global mobility. 'The financial cost of rejected visas is just staggering; you can think of them as 'reverse remittances,' money flowing from poor to rich countries, which we never hear about,' the LAGO Collective's Foresti says.
