Libyan citizens paid more than €568,700 in non-refundable fees for short-term visa applications to European Union countries and the United Kingdom that were ultimately rejected during 2025, according to a report released by the non-governmental organization Lago Collective.
The findings, based on European Commission statistics through December 27, 2025, reveal the significant financial burden faced by Libyans seeking to travel to Europe for tourism, business, education, medical treatment, or family visits. The report shows that 38,725 Libyans submitted applications for short-stay visas during the year, while 6,319 applications were denied, representing approximately 16 percent of the total.
As visa application fees are non-refundable, applicants lose the full amount paid regardless of the outcome. According to the report, rejected applications alone cost Libyan citizens nearly €569,000 in 2025. The figure reflects only official visa fees and does not include additional expenses such as travel to visa centers, accommodation reservations, insurance, document translation, or other administrative costs often required during the application process.
Globally, Lago Collective estimated that applicants across 168 countries lost €157.1 million in rejected visa fees during 2025. This marks an increase from €145.1 million in 2024 and €130 million in 2023, highlighting the growing financial impact of visa refusals worldwide.
The report identified Bangladesh as the country with the highest rejection rate at 54.5 percent, followed by Senegal with 51.9 percent, Nigeria with 47.8 percent, Pakistan with 46 percent, and Angola with 45.4 percent. Angola also recorded the largest increase in costs associated with rejected applications, rising by 177 percent compared to the previous year.
Lago Collective founder Marta Foresti criticized the current Schengen visa system, arguing that it increasingly functions as a financial burden on travelers, businesses, and economic opportunities. She noted that African countries accounted for 42 percent of all fees paid for rejected visa applications despite representing only 24 percent of total applicants worldwide.
The findings have renewed debate over the fairness of non-refundable visa fees and the growing financial costs faced by travelers from developing countries seeking access to Europe.
