By Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-04-19 10:07:38
According to a recent report from Henley and Partners, Africa had the highest visa refusal rate in 2022 at 30%, despite having the lowest number of visa applications per capita. Countries such as Algeria, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Mali had refusal rates ranging from 40% to 45%. This is significantly higher than the global average, with rejection rates for African applicants being three times higher than the highest rejection rate and ten times higher than for US-Americans. Mehari Taddele Maru, a professor at the European University Institute, noted that the European visa system shows bias against African applicants, with rejections often based on doubts about the applicants’ intention to return home.
One of the main reasons for visa rejections is to serve as a condition for the return and readmission of illegal migrants in Europe. This practice punishes African countries whose citizens are found to be residing illegally in Europe, further limiting the economic mobility of African citizens. Visa applications for African citizens tend to be more complex and time-consuming, leading to high rejection rates and long queues at passport control. Additionally, African citizens have limited passport power, with access to visa-free travel to far fewer wealthy countries compared to other regions.
The lack of visa-free access hinders regional and international collaboration and innovation, restricting the flow of talent and expertise across borders. Chidinma Okebalama, a senior consultant at Henley & Partners Nigeria, pointed out that a passport can determine financial freedom and opportunities for individuals to explore international business ventures and engage in multinational trade. African entrepreneurs and investors often face barriers in accessing global markets, limiting their potential for economic growth and prosperity.
To address these challenges, investment migration is emerging as a potential solution to accelerate Africa’s economic growth. Africa already has the six most open countries regarding visa-free entry, and by offering residence and citizenship by investment opportunities, African countries can attract foreign capital, stimulate job creation, and encourage knowledge transfer. This benefits both the host nations and provides African high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and their families with enhanced global mobility and risk diversification options.
In conclusion, the visa rejection rates for African applicants highlight the challenges faced by African citizens in terms of economic mobility and international travel. Investment migration could serve as a valuable tool to foster economic growth in Africa, attract foreign investment, and provide opportunities for African HNWIs to diversify their risks and enhance their global mobility.
