EU Visa Rejections Generate €157 Million in Non-Refundable Fees

The financial burden falls disproportionately on applicants from developing nations. Applicants from African countries accounted for 42 percent of the total lost fees, despite representing only 24 percent of all submissions. High rejection rates plague several specific regions, with Bangladesh leading at 54.5 percent, followed by Senegal, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Angola. Angola experienced the most significant surge in costs, with total lost fees climbing 177 percent year-over-year to reach €2.9 million.

LAGO Collective founder Marta Foresti characterizes the current policy as a "visa regime that functions as a tax on tourism, business, trade and aspirations." This phenomenon, frequently labeled "reverse remittances" by critics, continues to grow as the European Commission raises administrative costs. The standard fee for adult visitor visas increased to €90 this year, up from €80 in 2024, with no provision for refunds regardless of the application outcome.