Author Archives: Julliet Makhapila

I am concerned about the persistent and systemic challenges faced by African nationals in obtaining visas to enter the United Kingdom. Despite longstanding diplomatic and trade relations between the UK and numerous African countries, the visa application process for African citizens remains disproportionately complex, opaque, and frequently unsuccessful, particularly for those travelling for business, academic, or cultural exchange purposes.

African applicants must navigate a rigorous and often burdensome visa application system. This includes submitting extensive documentation, providing certified translations of any non-English materials, proving financial solvency for the duration of their stay, and paying significant fees to the UK Home Office. In many cases, applicants must travel to neighbouring countries simply to attend visa interviews or access Visa Application Centres—an additional logistical and financial barrier that citizens of many other countries are not required to endure.

Empirical data from the UK Home Office substantiates claims of systemic bias: African applicants are over twice as likely to be refused a UK visa compared to applicants from other regions. A 2019 report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Africa, facilitated by the Royal African Society, revealed that refusal rates for African visitors applying for short-term visas to the UK stood at 27%, compared to a global average of 11%. These disparities are particularly stark for individuals invited to the UK for professional engagements or partnerships with British institutions. As the APPG report concluded, “The problems are real, they are systemic, and they are avoidable.”

The consequences of these inequities extend beyond individual applicants. There is growing evidence that the UK’s visa policies risk undermining its soft power, trade potential, and academic diplomacy in Africa. Increasing numbers of African professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and scholars are choosing to engage with more welcoming nations, redirecting their collaborations and investments away from the UK. This not only disadvantages British institutions but also contradicts the UK government’s stated ambitions to strengthen relations with African partners post-Brexit.