The European Union (EU) has announced an increase in Schengen visa application fees from €80 to €90 for adult citizens of African and other non-EU countries.
The European Commission stated that this new fee structure will be implemented starting June 11, 2024. “All visa applications submitted on or after this date will be subject to the new fee,” the commission confirmed in an official statement on its website.
For children aged between six and twelve years, the application fee will be set at €45.
Europe remains a popular destination for Nigerian youths seeking better opportunities.
For non-EU nationals, a Schengen visa is required for temporary visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period to countries in the Schengen area.
The EU comprises 27 member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
According to recent EU data, consulates of EU countries and Schengen-associated countries processed over 10.3 million applications for short-stay visas in 2023.
This figure represents a 37% increase from 2022, which saw 7.5 million applications, though it remains below the pre-pandemic level of 17 million applications recorded in 2019.
