Zambian President Requests Refund: The European Union (EU) and the UK have been urged by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to reimburse visa application fees for all Zambians whose applications are denied.
President Hichilema voiced his profound concern in a speech on Friday, May 23, 2025, about the exorbitant fees and frequent denials of visa applications, which have impacted several Zambians who wish to travel for business, education, or tourism.
The president stressed that denied applicants shouldn’t have to pay for the administrative procedures that eventually prevent them from entering, arguing that visa fees should only be assessed for applications that are approved, according to Block TV.
President Hichilema argued for a more equitable system that includes reimbursements for denied visas, saying, “It is unacceptable that our citizens lose significant sums of money on unsuccessful applications.”
The President’s call has sparked conversations on fair travel abroad and visa regulations. Although it usually does not include denied visas, the UK government currently has a defined reimbursement policy for immigration and nationality applications.
It is unclear how the EU feels about returning visa payments for applications that are denied.
There have been differing opinions on the concept; some believe it is a step in the right direction toward more equitable travel policies, while others doubt its viability. It’s unclear how the UK and EU will react to Zambia’s demand as this discussion rages on.
The Zambian government has not yet disclosed how it plans to interact with representatives of the EU and the UK to demand these reimbursements for the visa fees.
