A new study from the independent think tank, the Centre for European Reform (CER), warns that the EU visa system discriminates against Africa and undermines the bloc's reputation.
According to the CER, EU leaders emphasize the importance of strong EU-Africa ties, but suggest that current visa policies are not the case, Schengen.News reports.
To increase soft power and help restore its reputation in Africa, the organization suggested that the EU would reform the Schengen visa system and begin to apply rules that would be more favorable to continental countries.
There is no evidence that travelers are trying to reduce irregular travel in the EU by making Schengen visas more difficult. Therefore, the EU should reconsider its approach to visas.
European Reform Centre
There is no evidence to suggest that high rejection rates in the EU reduce overstay, CER says
Data shows that in 2022 alone, the EU rejected 30% of Schengen visa applications from African countries. This represents an 18% increase compared to 2014.
The highest rejections of 2022 are Algeria and Nigeria, with two African countries recording Schengen visa rejection rates of 40-50%.
As EU authorities have explained, the high rejection rate is primarily due to the risk of recipients of residents in the bloc.
However, CER claims there is little or no data on the number of excess residents. The same emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that the high rates of rejection in the EU reduced overstay.
Non-EU citizens are already facing heavy penalties and there is no evidence to suggest that high EU visa refusal rates will reduce excessive stays if future entry bans are staying.
European Reform Centre
Business leaders say visa barriers limit opportunities for collaboration and growth
African business leaders are some of the many who complain about the visa barriers they face when they want to reach the EU.
According to business leaders from various countries in Africa, short-term visa-free access to the EU has made it extremely difficult to access the European market and expand global ties.
Many world-renowned African instructors, architects, musicians, scientists and others complained that they had rejected their Schengen visa application at the very last minute with minimal explanations.
This prompted them to choose to assume long-term employment in the bloc, according to the African Alliance for Medical Research, so they no longer have to go through the steps necessary to make a short visit.
