Nigerians spend at least N75bn annually on visa applications across foreign missions, with unsuccessful applications for Schengen visas alone costing an estimated €11.5m (about N19bn) in 2025, highlighting the growing financial burden of international travel.
A visa-cost analysis report obtained by Sunday PUNCH from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that thousands of Nigerians lose substantial sums to non-refundable visa fees, even when their applications are rejected.
The report highlighted the additional financial exposure arising from visa application centre charges, medical insurance, hotel reservations, flight bookings and other documentation expenses, which applicants must often pay before receiving a decision.
It estimated that an unsuccessful visa application could cost between N350,000 and N1.2m, depending on the destination and services involved.
“All major embassies collect fees before approval and it is non-refundable,” the report stated.
Among the countries identified as particularly challenging for Nigerian applicants are Canada, Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, where high refusal rates have increased the risk of losing money on unsuccessful applications.
Canada's study permit system was identified as one of the most difficult, with an estimated refusal rate of 75 per cent between January and April 2026. This means only about one in four applications was successful during the period.
The report attributed many of the refusals to concerns about applicants' intentions to leave Canada after completing their studies, a requirement under Section 216(1)(b) of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Within the Schengen Area, Belgium reportedly recorded the highest 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.
Overall, the Schengen visa refusal rate for Nigerians rose to 46.9 per cent in 2025, compared with 45.9 per cent in 2024, resulting in approximately 250,000 unsuccessful applications.
The United Kingdom also recorded significant rejection figures, with an overall refusal rate of 33.1 per cent for Nigerian applicants in 2025. The figure reportedly increased to 35.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, while visitor visa refusals stood at an estimated 38.6 per cent.
The analysis further claimed that Nigerians accounted for 44.4 per cent of all African visa refusals by the UK, citing a cumulative figure of 1.34 million over 21 years.
For the United States, the report cited an estimated refusal rate of 64 per cent among African applicants seeking F-1 student visas, compared with a global average of 35 per cent.
Concerns about applicants' intentions to return to their home countries were also identified as a major factor influencing visa decisions.
Meanwhile, Japan has increased its visa charges for Nigerians, with the revised fees taking effect on July 1, 2026.
Under the new charges, a single-entry visa costs ¥15,000 (approximately $93), while a multiple-entry visa costs ¥30,000 (about $188), representing a fivefold increase from the previous fees of ¥3,000 and ¥6,000, respectively.
The new charges translate to approximately N126,000 for a single-entry visa and N252,000 for a multiple-entry visa.
Despite the increase, Japan reportedly maintains a relatively low refusal rate of between 12 and 15 per cent for Nigerian applicants.
The report identified weak bank statements as one of the possible reasons for unsuccessful applications.
On visa costs, India was listed as the most expensive destination in the comparison, with a reported charge of $588, equivalent to approximately N819,200. However, its electronic visa system offers cheaper options ranging from $25 to $80 for eligible categories.
The United Kingdom's 10-year visitor visa costs £1,128 (about N2.09m), while its six-month visitor visa is priced at £127, approximately N203,000.
The United States charges $185 (about N299,700) for its B1/B2 visitor visa, while Canada's visitor visa and biometrics fees amount to CAD185, approximately N205,000.
For Schengen visa applicants, the standard €90 visa fee, combined with an estimated €35 application centre charge, brings the total to about N144,000, based on the exchange rates used in the analysis.
The report also highlighted Indonesia's sponsorship requirements as an additional challenge for Nigerian travellers, stating that Nigerians are not eligible for visa-on-arrival facilities and generally require sponsorship and approval under the applicable immigration procedures.
Its reported application charges range from $50 to $110, although additional documentation and agent fees can increase the overall cost.
The analysis also cited a requirement to demonstrate access to $2,000 and estimated the refusal rate for Indonesian calling visas involving Nigerian applicants at approximately 40 per cent.
In contrast, Malaysia was identified as a relatively affordable option because of its electronic visa system, with charges estimated at RM126, equivalent to between N40,000 and N45,000.
Processing reportedly takes between two and three days, with applicants generally required to provide a valid passport, return ticket, hotel reservation and a passport photograph meeting the prescribed specifications.
Malaysia's estimated visa refusal rate was put at between 20 and 30 per cent, although the figure requires confirmation against official statistics.
To reduce the financial risks associated with visa applications, the report advised Nigerians to consider destinations offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival facilities or electronic travel authorisation, where eligible.
Several African countries, particularly within the West African region, offer Nigerian passport holders visa-free access under regional arrangements. These include Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, The Gambia, Liberia, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone.
Other possible destinations include Rwanda, Barbados, Dominica, Fiji, Mauritius and Vanuatu, subject to their respective entry requirements and permitted duration of stay.
The report also identified electronic travel authorisation and other relatively inexpensive entry options, including Seychelles, which charges approximately $12, Kenya at $32 and Zambia at $25. South Africa's visa fee was estimated at $37.
However, it cautioned that visa-free access, visa-on-arrival eligibility and electronic entry requirements must be verified through official government channels before travellers make bookings or other financial commitments.
The analysis stressed that understanding destination-specific requirements and assessing the likelihood of approval could help Nigerian travellers avoid unnecessary financial losses when planning international trips.
