The Moroccan government is under pressure to request the reimbursement of expenses for Schengen visa application rejections that have earned the EU €10,9 million (R211 million) in 2023.
The issue has become a political issue, with Moroccan MPs urging the government to demand refunds for Schengen visa applications that are rejected. This is led by Hanane Atarguine of the Authenticity and Modernity Party.
Morocco is the fourth most-rejected nationality for Schengen visas, for which an application costs citizens a quarter of the annual national wage in Morocco. The country also ranks fifth worldwide for the most visa applications filed, according to data from Schengen News.
Atarguine argued that the recovery of fees for a refused visa should be a fundamental right for aggrieved citizens, reports APA News.
Data shows that the EU accumulated €56,3 million (R1,1 billion) from rejected visa applications from African countries in 2023, €776 880 (R15,7 million) from South Africa alone.