Concerns Raised as Kenya Ranks Third in Africa US Student Visa Denials
Interest groups have expressed worry regarding the significant rejection rate of African students seeking visas at American embassies.
According to a report cited by the Voice of America and based on research conducted by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, an analysis of application trends revealed a significant gap in visa issuance between African students and those from other regions.
The report’s data from 2023 revealed that 74 percent of applications made by students from Kenya were not accepted.
According to VOA, while visa refusal rates were considerable in the Middle East and South America, Africa experienced the most elevated rejection rates.
Additional information showed that Ethiopia had the highest denial rate at 78 percent, followed closely by Nigeria at 75 percent in 2023, with Kenya ranking third.
According to Gossipa2z.com’s examination of U.S. Department of State data, the American Consulate in Kenya granted 13 F-1 visas to Kenyan students in February 2024.
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The F-1 visa is obligatory for international students, permitting them to pursue full-time studies at institutions certified by the U.S. government.
As per NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to international education, this trend is concerning as it impedes the ability of international students to fairly pursue opportunities.
Moreover, the organization cautioned that Visa refusals might also lead to the departure of valuable expertise, causing the United States to miss out.
The organization cautioned that the United States had a lower ranking in terms of visa issuance compared to European nations, where only one in ten students faced visa denials.
This follows the United Kingdom’s initiation of stricter measures regarding immigration.
On March 11, the UK implemented a policy prohibiting care workers from bringing their dependents into the country. This decision impacts numerous international individuals, including tens of Kenyan citizens.
Concerns Raised as Kenya Ranks Third in Africa US Student Visa Denials
