Nigerians spend an estimated N75 billion annually on visa applications to foreign countries, with rejected applications accounting for a significant portion of the financial losses, according to a visa-cost analysis report obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The report revealed that unsuccessful Schengen visa applications alone cost Nigerians approximately €11.5 million, equivalent to about N19 billion, in 2025.
It highlighted the financial burden on applicants who pay non-refundable visa fees before knowing whether their applications will be approved.
Beyond official visa charges, applicants also spend money on visa application centre services, medical insurance, hotel reservations, flight bookings and other documentation requirements. The total financial loss from an unsuccessful application could range between N350,000 and N1.2 million, depending on the destination.
Canada was identified as one of the most challenging destinations for Nigerian applicants, particularly those seeking study permits. The report estimated that 75 per cent of Nigerian study permit applications were rejected between January and April 2026, meaning only about one in four applications received approval.
Within the Schengen Area, Belgium recorded the highest reported refusal rate for Nigerian applicants at 60.3 per cent, followed by Spain at 52.7 per cent and France at 47.4 per cent.
The overall Schengen visa rejection rate for Nigerians stood at 46.9 per cent in 2025, compared with 45.9 per cent in 2024. Approximately 250,000 applications were unsuccessful during the year.
The United Kingdom recorded a 33.1 per cent visa refusal rate for Nigerian applicants in 2025. The figure reportedly increased to 35.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, while visitor visa applications had an estimated rejection rate of 38.6 per cent.
For the United States, the analysis cited an estimated refusal rate of 64 per cent for African applicants seeking F-1 student visas, compared with a global average of 35 per cent.
The report also highlighted increasing visa charges in some countries. Japan, for instance, raised its visa fees for Nigerian applicants fivefold from July 1, 2026. Single-entry visa charges increased from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000, while multiple-entry visas rose from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000.
Despite the increase, Japan reportedly maintains a relatively low visa refusal rate of between 12 and 15 per cent for Nigerian applicants.
Other destinations also have significant application charges. The United States B1/B2 visitor visa costs $185, while Canada’s visitor visa and biometric charges amount to CAD185. Schengen visa applicants pay approximately €90 in visa fees, alongside additional application centre charges.
The United Kingdom’s six-month visitor visa costs £127, while its 10-year visitor visa is priced at £1,128.
India was identified as one of the more expensive destinations, with a reported visa charge of $588, although cheaper electronic visa options are available for eligible applicants.
The analysis advised Nigerians seeking to reduce financial losses to consider destinations offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival facilities or electronic travel authorisations, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
Several West African countries, including Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, The Gambia, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, were listed as possible destinations accessible to Nigerian passport holders under regional arrangements.
Other alternatives mentioned include Rwanda, Barbados, Dominica, Fiji, Mauritius and Vanuatu.
However, the report advised travellers to verify entry requirements through official government channels before making travel arrangements, noting that visa policies and eligibility conditions may change.
