Kenyans have reported being denied entry visas to Nigeria despite meeting all application requirements, including payment of the $80 e-visa fee, submission of flight and hotel bookings, and invitation letters.
According to an online post by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo, Kenyan applicants receive an official notification stating that their e-visa application has been refused under the provisions of the Nigerian Immigration Act, which specifies grounds for denial of entry.
“Notification of e‑Visa Application Denial Dear [redacted] Passport Number [redacted] Reference ID: [redacted] We regret to inform you that your e‑Visa application to Nigeria has been denied in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Immigration Act, which delineates the grounds for refusal of entry into Nigeria,” the notification read in part.
The notification confirmed that the e‑visa application cannot be processed any further due to the refusal decision.
Further, it stated that, under standard policy, the application fee is non‑refundable and the decision is final.
“Your application is unable to be further processed as a consequence of this decision. As per our standard policy, the visa application fee is non‑refundable, and this decision is final,” it read.
Kenyans Question Nigeria’s Visa Policy Amid Denials
From the eVisa denials, some observers note that visa issuance is a privilege, and entry remains at the discretion of immigration officers, but question the fairness of non-refundable fees when applications are denied.
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“Visa is a privilege, and even after getting a visa, admission into the country is at the immigration officer’s discretion. This is standard practice. However, I am of the opinion that there should be a visa refund for denials,” said @Dannyounge.
Many Kenyans reported that the government had failed to protect citizens from unfair treatment abroad, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by foreign authorities and businesses.
They expressed concern over the lack of reciprocity in visa policies, noting that travel should be fair when visa-free entry is allowed one way but denied the other.
Critics also emphasised that transparency and mutual respect between nations were necessary, and that applicants should not face rejection after submitting complete documents and paying the required fees.
US Warns Visa Applicants on All Practices That May Lead to Appointment Cancellation
Also Read: Kenyans to Pay Ksh26K Additional Fee for Premium UK Visa Services
The US Embassy issued a warning to visa applicants in Kenya, Uganda, and other countries about the risks of using third-party services to schedule appointments.
Applicants were urged to avoid using facilitators or vendors when booking visa interviews, as providing false or inaccurate information, such as incorrect phone numbers or email addresses, could result in appointment cancellations.
The Embassy emphasised that applicants were fully responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of the information they submitted.
Individuals were advised to book appointments themselves or seek help only from trusted family members or friends, since using unauthorised services could result in additional fees and complications in the visa application process.
