Why Zambia’s President is Demanding Refunds for Rejected Visa Applications from EU and UK

Zambian President calls for reimbursement of visa fees for all rejected applications from the European Union and United Kingdom.

Hakainde Hichilema, the President of Zambia, has insisted that the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) refund visa application fees for every Zambian applicant whose visa is denied. 

This announcement, made on Friday, May 23, 2025, underscores the increasing concerns regarding the high costs and frequent denials of visa applications, which have affected numerous Zambians aiming to travel for tourism, business, or educational purposes.

The President contends that visa fees should only be imposed on successful applications, stressing that those whose applications are rejected should not incur the costs associated with administrative procedures that ultimately prevent their entry.

President Hichilema pointed out that the substantial visa application fees create an unfair burden on applicants when their requests are turned down, often without adequate justification. “It is unacceptable that our citizens lose significant sums of money on unsuccessful applications,” the President said, advocating for a more equitable system that includes refunds for denied visas.

This position has ignited discussions regarding visa policies and the fairness of international travel regulations. 

Although the UK government has a specific refund policy for immigration and nationality applications, it generally does not apply to rejected visas. The EU’s position on refunding visa fees remains ‘ambiguous’ but the Zambian leader’s demand may stimulate further dialogue on the matter. 

The proposal has elicited mixed responses, with some endorsing it as a move towards more equitable travel policies, while others question its practicality. As conversations progress, it remains uncertain whether the EU and UK will address Zambia’s request.

The Zambian government has yet to specify how it plans to engage with EU and UK officials to pursue this demand.