Get Guardian on GoogleWhile Schengen countries remain a popular destination for Nigerian travellers, almost half of them in 2018 were left disappointed with their visa applications denied. Of the 88,587 Schengen visa applications in Nigeria, 44,076 were denied. The latest figures represent a slight drop compared to the statistics from 2017.
Schengen visa applications in 2018 increased slightly from the 83,647 recorded in 2017. Despite the about 2.6% drop in visa denials, Schengen embassies in Nigeria rejected 49.8% of visa applications, more than in any other African country, according to SchengenVisaInfo.com.
The Schengen Area is a zone where 26 European countries, abolished their internal borders, for the free and unrestricted movement of people. Anyone who holds a Uniform Schengen visa can travel to all 26 member countries of the Schengen Area. The 26 Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
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The 49.8% rejection rate in 2018 placed Nigeria at the first spot in the list of African countries with most Schengen visa applications denial.
France Schengen embassies in Nigeria declined most visa applications. The French embassy located in Lagos counted for 12,963 visa denials, at a 51% rejection rate. The other French embassy located in Abuja added some 3,510 denied visas.
Italy (5,766), Germany (5,098), Portugal (4,492) and Spain (3,515) followed in this list.
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