IATA Reports High Visa Rejection Rates for Nigerians

A report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that Nigerian travelers encounter the highest barriers to international travel among Africans, with a rejection rate exceeding 40%. The UK visa refusal rate for Nigerian applicants historically stands at 33.1% from 2005 to the first quarter of 2026, significantly higher than the UK’s global average of 14.8%.

In 2024, the UK rejected approximately 77,706 Nigerian applications at a 33.5% refusal rate, while in 2025, 77,571 applications were refused at a 33.1% rate. The first quarter of 2026 saw a rise to 35.4%.

The US Department of State reports a 57% refusal rate for Nigerian B1/B2 visa applicants in fiscal year 2025, up from 46.51% in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, the Schengen visa rejection rate for Nigerian applicants is 45.9%, with a cumulative denial rate of 42.1% over 15 years.

The rejection rates vary by Schengen country, with Belgium having a high rejection rate of 62.32% and Switzerland a high approval rate of 79.40%.