Beyond financial losses, the high refusal rate carries professional and academic consequences. Students and skilled professionals see opportunities vanish, canceled training programs, missed job offers, and disrupted career paths.
Last year, more than half of Schengen visa applications submitted by Cameroonians were rejected, placing the country among the most affected in Africa. Official data shows that out of 51,659 applications processed by European embassies in Cameroon, nearly 20,000 were denied, producing a rejection rate of 38.1%. This ranks Cameroon in the top 10 African nations facing the highest visa refusal rates, behind Comoros at 62.8% and Senegal on 46.8%. Each rejected application costs applicants 80 Euro in non-refundable fees, a significant financial burden in a country where the average monthly income is around 60,000 FCFA, approximately 91 Euro.
With thousands of rejections annually, nearly 1.6 million Euro is lost in fees alone, not including additional expenses such as transportation fee to embassy cities, certified document translations, and administrative costs. European consulates frequently cite reasons like migration risk, insufficient financial means, and lack of proof of return for denials. However, many applicants report inconsistencies in the process. Some present employment contracts, bank statements, and property ownership documents yet still face unexplained rejections. Others describe rushed interviews and lost paperwork, contributing to a perception of arbitrary decision-making.
The disparity in visa policies adds to frustrations. While Kosovo gained visa-free access to the Schengen zone in 2024, Cameroon continues to face stringent requirements. Even well-prepared applications offer no guarantee of approval, leading some to compare the process to a lottery. Beyond financial losses, the high refusal rate carries professional and academic consequences. Students and skilled professionals see opportunities vanish, canceled training programs, missed job offers, and disrupted career paths. Some analysts suggest this exacerbates brain drain, as discouraged applicants may seek alternatives through riskier migration channels.
Cameroonian authorities have yet to publicly address the issue, though potential solutions could include renegotiating bilateral agreements, improving appeal mechanisms for unfair rejections, and expanding visa access to alternative destinations. Meanwhile, the broader African continent continues to lose billions in non-refundable visa fees annually, raising questions about the long-term impact of restrictive mobility policies.
