Zambian President Demands Visa Fee Refunds for Rejected Applicants from EU, UK

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) to refund visa application fees to all Zambian applicants whose visa requests are rejected.

The bold demand, announced on Friday, May 23, 2025, brings renewed focus to the financial strain caused by costly and often unsuccessful visa applications.

According to a report by Block TV Gambia, President Hichilema expressed concern over what he described as an unjust system that forces applicants to pay substantial fees, regardless of whether their visas are approved.

He emphasized that visa fees should be charged only for successful applications, and not for those ultimately denied entry.

“It is unacceptable that our citizens lose significant sums of money on unsuccessful applications,” President Hichilema stated. “A fairer system should include refunds for rejected visas.”

Many Zambians, like citizens of other African nations, seek to travel abroad for tourism, education, business, and family visits, but face increasing challenges due to high visa fees and frequent rejections—often without transparent reasons.

President Hichilema argued that the current visa policies disproportionately affect applicants from developing countries and urged Western governments to reconsider their approach to visa administration.

While the UK maintains a structured refund policy for immigration and nationality applications, it typically excludes rejected visitor visa applications. The EU’s policies on visa fee refunds remain ambiguous, and President Hichilema’s demand may serve as a catalyst for broader discussion on equity and transparency in global mobility.

The proposal has triggered mixed reactions. Supporters argue that it reflects a growing need for fairness and accountability in international travel processes, especially for citizens from lower-income countries. Critics, however, question the practicality of implementing such refund systems, given the administrative costs involved in processing visa applications.