President Hakainde Hichilema Demands Refunds for Rejected Visa Applications: Calls Out UK and EU Over Unfair Travel Costs

In a bold move that has sparked a global conversation on fairness in international travel, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has publicly demanded that the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) refund visa application fees for all Zambian citizens whose applications are rejected. This announcement was made on Friday, May 23, 2025, and it’s already generating heated debate in diplomatic circles and among African travelers.

For years, countless Zambians, like many other Africans, have complained about the high costs of visa applications—especially when their applications are denied without any meaningful explanation. The cost of applying for a visa to the UK or any EU country can be quite steep, with applicants often paying non-refundable fees equivalent to several weeks' salary. The rejection rate is high, and once denied, there is no reimbursement, leaving many people frustrated and financially drained.

President Hichilema Speaks Out on Unfair Visa Practices

President Hichilema, who has often advocated for equity and justice in global dealings, did not hold back in his statement. He argued that it is morally wrong and economically unfair for countries to keep visa fees from applicants whose requests are not successful.

“It is unacceptable that our citizens lose significant sums of money on unsuccessful applications,” the President stated, calling for a fairer system that includes refunds for rejected visas.

According to Block TV, which covered the President’s remarks, the Zambian leader emphasized that visa fees should only be charged for successful applications. His reasoning is straightforward: if someone pays for a service and the service isn’t provided—in this case, the visa isn’t granted—then it is only fair that the money is returned.

This position resonates with many Africans who have long criticized Western countries for using visa systems as financial traps, where the odds are stacked against applicants from developing countries.

The High Cost of Rejected Visa Applications

For those unfamiliar with the process, visa applications to countries like the UK or those within the EU are not cheap. For instance:

• A UK Standard Visitor visa costs around £115 (approximately 3,500 Zambian Kwacha or ₦120,000 Nigerian Naira) as of 2025.

• Schengen visa applications—required for travel to most EU countries—come with a standard fee of about €80 (approximately 1,900 Zambian Kwacha or ₦70,000 Naira).

These fees do not include additional costs such as biometric data collection, courier services, medical tests, and sometimes travel to another city just to attend a visa interview.

For students, business people, or even tourists, these costs add up quickly. And when the application is denied, none of the money is refunded—even if the applicant never got a chance to appeal or if the rejection was due to trivial reasons.

President Hichilema’s call is, therefore, not just about Zambia—it reflects a broader African frustration with Western immigration systems.

Visa Policies Under Scrutiny

While the UK Home Office does have some refund policies for specific immigration and nationality-related applications, these policies do not apply to visa rejections. Once a visa is denied, applicants lose their money—no questions asked.

The EU’s position on visa fee refunds is even less defined. While there are certain circumstances where a fee might be waived or reduced (such as for students or researchers), the policy on refunds for rejected applicants remains vague. In most cases, once the visa is denied, the fee is gone.

This has led President Hichilema to push for a complete overhaul of how visa fees are handled by wealthier countries that often benefit economically from African travelers but maintain rigid and financially punishing visa systems.

“Visa fees, which can be substantial, place an unfair burden on applicants when their requests are denied, often without clear justification,” President Hichilema noted.

Global Reactions: Mixed But Necessary

The President's demand has sparked a wave of mixed reactions both within Zambia and across the continent. Many African social media users, advocacy groups, and commentators have praised Hichilema for standing up against global travel injustice. They argue that it’s high time someone in power highlighted this issue on an international stage.

Others, however, have questioned the practicality of the demand. Critics point out that visa application fees are meant to cover administrative costs, which are incurred regardless of whether a visa is approved or not. From their perspective, refunding fees for denied applications might lead to budgetary and logistical complications for immigration offices.

Still, supporters believe that if these nations can process millions of visa applications yearly, they can afford to build fairer systems that do not disproportionately affect applicants from low-income countries.

Is This a Turning Point for African Travel Rights?

This issue taps into a much deeper problem—the imbalance in global mobility rights. Citizens of many Western countries enjoy visa-free access to dozens of African nations, including Zambia and Nigeria. However, the reverse is rarely true.

Africans often face long, expensive, and uncertain visa processes when attempting to travel abroad, even for legitimate purposes like attending conferences, studying, or going on holidays. The process is tedious and humiliating, and many feel they are automatically viewed with suspicion simply for holding an African passport.

President Hichilema's statement could very well be the beginning of a broader African diplomatic push to demand fairer treatment for its citizens.

What Comes Next?

At the time of this report, the Zambian government has not outlined specific steps for engaging the EU and UK governments regarding the refund demand. However, the President’s stance could encourage other African leaders to join the conversation, potentially leading to regional alliances that challenge these global systems.

It remains to be seen how the UK and EU will officially respond to Zambia’s request. Given the growing pressure for more equitable global policies, this issue may soon land on the desks of European and British immigration policymakers.

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Conclusion

President Hichilema’s demand for refunds on rejected visa applications is not just a political statement—it’s a powerful call for justice. For too long, Africans have paid the price—literally and figuratively—for an unbalanced global travel system. Whether the UK and EU will take action remains unknown, but one thing is clear: African leaders are no longer staying silent about the injustices their citizens face when trying to engage with the world.

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