Schengen Visa Rejections Surge in Kenya, Norway Tops Nairobi Consulates

More than 25,000 Schengen visa applications submitted in Kenya were rejected in 2025, according to European Commission data. That outcome pushed Kenya’s visa rejection rate to 33.1%, which is more than double the global average of 14.6%.

In total, applicants lodged 77,760 Schengen visa requests in Kenya during 2025. Of those, 25,227 did not receive a visa, placing Kenya among the countries with rejection rates significantly higher than the worldwide average.

The European Commission’s figures reveal that outcomes varied sharply across consulates and member states. Applicants experienced vastly different results depending on which country’s embassy processed their documentation.

“Applications submitted in Kenya were refused more often than the worldwide average in 2025 – 33.1 percent against 14.6 percent. Of 77,760 applications, 25,227 were turned down,” the Commission noted in its statistics report.

Breakdown of Rejection Rates Across European Consulates in Nairobi

Norway reported the highest not-issued rate among the Schengen consulates operating in Nairobi. The country declined 60.9% of applications, representing a steep increase from its 35.6% rejection rate in 2024.

Sweden processed the highest volume of applications among the individual consulates, receiving 15,699 requests and recording a refusal rate of roughly 40%. Belgium and Hungary reported similarly high non-issuance rates, hovering around the 40% mark.

Germany processed substantial volume as well, ending the year with a 29% rejection rate, while France stood at 26.2% and Greece recorded 23.5%.

A few consulates approved a significantly higher proportion of Kenyan travel requests:

• Italy: 19.9% refusal rate

• The Netherlands: 19.4% refusal rate

• Switzerland: 18.7% refusal rate

• Spain: 16.9% refusal rate

Global Trends and Application Rules for Kenyan Travelers

Worldwide, Schengen and associated-country consulates handled more than 12 million short-stay visa applications in 2025, resulting in over 10 million issued visas. Global refusal rates eased slightly, moving from 14.8% in 2024 down to 14.6% in 2025.

However, while global demand grew, Kenya experienced an 18% rise in total decisions alongside a climbing rejection rate, which increased from 29.1% in 2024 to 33.1% in 2025.

The European Commission did not cite specific drivers behind the elevated refusal rates in Nairobi.

Kenyan passport holders visiting the Schengen Area on short-stay tourist visas can remain for up to 90 days within any 180-day window across the 29 participating European nations.

Key compliance rules for applicants include:

• Consulate Routing: Requests must go to the embassy of the country where the traveler will spend the main duration of their trip.

• Financial Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate financial liquidity of approximately €100 per day of planned travel.

• Mandatory Insurance: Travelers must hold active travel health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000.

• Entry and Work Restrictions: Tourist visa holders cannot take up employment and are expected to enter the Schengen Area through the issuing nation.

Overstaying the 90-day limit can lead to fines, detention, or immediate deportation and significantly increases the likelihood of future visa refusals across all Schengen member states.

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