Headline

Japa: 5 Countries With Highest Visa Rejection Rate

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2024

Traveling to the Schengen area from non-EU countries comes with the requirement of obtaining a visa, and for many Nigerians, navigating the visa application process can feel like walking a tightrope.

While the Schengen Area comprises 27 member countries, each with its own approach to visa approvals, not all embassies are created equal. Some are far more stringent than others.

According to data from Schengen Visa Info, countries that receive fewer applications often have higher rejection rates, leaving many travelers in limbo, unsure of their chances of success.

This unpredictability has caused frustration for Nigerians seeking access to Europe, whether for business, education, or tourism.

In 2023, a few countries gained notoriety for their particularly high rejection rates, making them the ones to watch if you’re planning your next European adventure. Securing a visa to these destinations may just be more difficult than anticipated.

Malta
Malta had the highest rejection rate among all Schengen nations in 2023. Out of 33,306 visa applications, 12,261 (37.6%) were denied. Algerian applicants faced the most rejections, with an overwhelming 90.35% rejection rate. Ghanaian and Moroccan applicants were also heavily affected, with rejection rates of 62.69% and 60.37%, respectively.

Estonia
Estonia rejected 61.4% of the Schengen visa applications it received in 2023, amounting to 4,347 denials. Egyptian applicants were hit hardest, with a 59.5% rejection rate. UAE and Indian nationals also faced significant hurdles, with rejection rates of 57.9% and 49.7%, respectively. In contrast, Chinese applicants saw a much lower rejection rate of just 7.3%.

Belgium
With a rejection rate of 26.6%, Belgium ranked third in Schengen visa denials. Out of 225,951 applications, 60,148 were rejected. Senegalese applicants faced the highest rejection rates at 67.8%, followed by Angolan (66.44%) and Nigerian (62.45%) nationals.

Sweden
Sweden rejected 23.1% of its visa applications in 2023, denying around 60,148 requests. Iranian nationals were the most affected, with a rejection rate of 76.65%. Pakistanis and Lebanese applicants followed, with rejection rates of 69.49% and 66.21%, respectively.

Denmark
Denmark received 107,872 visa applications in 2023 and rejected 21.2% of them (21,509 applications). Moroccans faced a 100% rejection rate, though only two applications were submitted. Iranians and Pakistanis were again among the most affected, with rejection rates of 76.65% and 69.49%, respectively.

These statistics highlight the varying degrees of difficulty travelers face when applying for Schengen visas, with Malta, Estonia, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark proving to be the toughest countries for visa approvals in 2023.

Headline

JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

Published

41 minutes ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

United States President Donald Trump said US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians.

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding that “the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes.”

Trump stated that the Department of War “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”

The US president wished everyone Merry Christmas, “including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

Details later.

Headline

Coup: Guinea-Bissau Junta Releases Six Held Opposition Politicians

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Guinea-Bissau’s ruling junta on Tuesday released six members of the political opposition who had been detained since a coup last month.

The six freed opposition members are said to be close associates of Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the PAIGC party that led the country to independence in 1974.

Pereira has been in custody since the coup.

In a statement by the High Military Command, the junta’s governing body, the releases are described as a sign of good faith and a step towards the return to constitutional normality and respect for international rights.

The army seized power on 26 November after ousting outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the wake of a presidential vote.

After taking over, the military suspended the electoral process and announced it would take control of the West African country for a period of one year.

Recall that another opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, took refuge in Nigeria’s embassy, which granted him asylum, while Embalo fled the country after being briefly detained by the military at the time of the coup.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, led a delegation to Guinea-Bissau, where he met with detained opponents and requested their release.

Headline

7 Territories Still Under Colonial Rule

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Even though most nations became independent in the last century, some territories are still ruled by other nations.

Contents
1. Western Sahara
2. Guam
3. American Samoa
4. United States Virgin Islands
5. Falkland Islands / Malvinas
6. Gibraltar
7. Bermuda

Many of them remain on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories, meaning they have not completed the process of decolonization. These places usually depend on bigger countries for laws, passports, defence, or political control.

In this article, Nigerian Tribune highlights 7 territories still under colonial rule:

1. Western Sahara

Western Sahara remains one of the world’s biggest unresolved colonial issues. Morocco controls most of the territory, but the Polisario Front wants independence for the Sahrawi people. The UN is still trying to help both sides agree on a peaceful solution.

2. Guam

Guam is an important US territory in the Pacific, used heavily for American military operations. The US oversees its defence and foreign relations.

People living there are US citizens, but they cannot vote in presidential elections and do not have full representation in Congress.

3. American Samoa

American Samoa has more local control than Guam, but the United States still decides immigration, defence, and foreign affairs.

Residents are considered US nationals and must apply if they want full citizenship.

4. United States Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands have their own legislature, but the United States makes major constitutional and political decisions. The territory depends heavily on US federal support.

5. Falkland Islands / Malvinas

The Falkland Islands remain controlled by the United Kingdom (UK), but Argentina has long disputed this claim, having been in control of the Islands for a few years before 1833.

The people living there voted strongly to stay British, yet the sovereignty dispute continues to appear in the UN.

6. Gibraltar

Gibraltar sits at the Southern tip of Spain. The United Kingdom controls it, but Spain insists the territory belongs to them.

Gibraltarians have repeatedly voted in favour of remaining British, but the dispute is still discussed within the UN Decolonisation Committee.

7. Bermuda

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. Although it manages most of its own internal affairs and enjoys a strong economy with modern facilities, the United Kingdom still handles its defence and represents it in global matters.