Is the Schengen refusal rate for Algerians the highest in the world?

No longer by rate. In 2024 Algeria had the largest number of refusals of any nationality (185,101) and a 35% rate. In 2025 the rate fell to 31%, below Senegal (51.9%), Nigeria and Bangladesh, though Algeria still ranks among the top countries by refusal count.

Can I apply for a Schengen visa without going through Capago?

Not for France. Since 8 April 2025 Capago is the only channel for lodging a France visa in Algeria. Other Schengen countries use their own providers (BLS for Spain, VFS Global or TLScontact for most others).

How long does a decision take from Algeria?

The Visa Code sets 15 calendar days, extendable to 45. HelloSafe reports 25 to 30 days as typical in North Africa. Apply at least six weeks before travel and no more than six months ahead.

Does a previous refusal hurt a new application?

It is recorded in the Visa Information System and the officer will see it. It does not block you, but the new file must visibly correct the ground cited in the refusal letter. Reapplying with an identical file usually produces an identical refusal.

How much money must I show in my bank account?

France does not publish a fixed amount for Algerian applicants. Consulates look for regular income and a balance consistent with the length and cost of the trip. Sudden large deposits shortly before applying are a common reason for a finding that the information provided is not reliable.

Is the visa fee refunded if I am refused?

No. The €90 fee and the Capago service fee are kept whatever the decision. Some insurers, including AXA Schengen, refund the insurance premium on proof of refusal.

Can an AI tool or agency guarantee my visa?

No. Only the consulate decides, and any promise of a guaranteed visa or appointment is a scam. Tools such as Voyalo can check whether your file is complete and consistent, which addresses the most commonly cited refusal grounds; they cannot influence the decision.

Who decides my visa: Capago or the consulate?

The consulate general of France in Algiers, Oran or Annaba, depending on your wilaya. Capago collects the documents and biometrics and returns the passport; it has no role in the decision.

Schengen visa from Algeria: how to prepare a strong file

Updated 25 September 2026

In 2025, Schengen consulates refused 31% of the 416,739 short-stay visa applications filed from Algeria (European Commission, May 2026). Refusal letters most often cite the purpose of the stay, proof of funds or the intention to return, the grounds listed in the EU Visa Code refusal form. Only the consulate decides; a complete, consistent file lodged through the official centre is the lawful way to prepare.

Key takeaways

Algeria's Schengen refusal rate fell from 35% in 2024 to 31% in 2025 (European Commission, May 2026), still about double the 14.6% global rate.
France receives the most Algerian applications (248,681 in 2025) and refuses 28.5% of them; Malta, the Netherlands and Hungary refuse more than 60%.
The visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, paid in DZD at the consular rate and never refunded. Capago's service fee is 5,150 DZD since 15 June 2026.
Since 8 April 2025, Capago is the sole official provider for France visas in Algeria, replacing VFS Global and TLScontact.
No agency, tool or intermediary can guarantee a visa or an appointment. Only the consulate decides.
After a refusal you can reapply immediately or file a recours; each stage of the recours has a two-month deadline.

What is the Schengen visa refusal rate for Algerians?

Algerians were refused 31% of the time in 2025, down from 35% in 2024, while the global average was 14.6%. The European Commission's 2025 statistics (published 28 May 2026) record 416,739 applications from Algeria, 284,267 visas issued and 127,936 refusals. In 2024, SchengenVisaInfo counted 544,634 applications and 185,101 refusals. Applications and refusals both fell in 2025, the year France's provider changed to Capago, so the lower rate reflects fewer files lodged as much as any change in decisions. Treat 31% as a population baseline, not a personal probability.

What are the most common refusal grounds?

The EU Visa Code refusal form (Annex VI) lists 17 numbered grounds; consular guidance and appeal practitioners most often cite four for Algerian files. In plain terms:

Ground 2: the purpose and conditions of the stay were not justified (vague itinerary, booking dates that do not match, no invitation for a family visit).
Ground 8: insufficient proof of means of subsistence (statements showing a sudden deposit, no salary history, a sponsor letter without the sponsor's own proof).
Ground 10: the information submitted on the purpose and conditions of the stay was not reliable (contradictions between the form, the cover letter and the documents).
Ground 12: the intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires could not be ascertained (no employment contract, property or family obligations in Algeria).

AXA Schengen and HelloSafe both name weak financial proof, inconsistent travel plans, missing documents and insufficient ties as the leading causes. The fix is the same in every case: every document must tell the same story.

Which Schengen countries refuse Algerians most and least?

France refuses the smallest share (28.5% in 2025); Malta, the Netherlands and Hungary refuse more than 60%. 2025 figures from the European Commission, as reported by voyagerdz.com and observalgerie.com:

Destination	Applications from Algeria, 2025	Refusal rate 2025	Note
France	248,681	28.5%	Largest volume; Capago handles filing
Spain	second-largest volume	31.2%	BLS International centres
Belgium	not reported	32.1%
Germany	not reported	34.0%
Portugal	not reported	53.2%
Netherlands	6,509	69.5%	4,471 refusals
Malta	2,738	81.9%	2,240 refusals; highest rate

Applying to a country you will not actually visit most, to avoid a high rate, is itself a refusal ground ("visa shopping") and a common ground 10 finding.

Who handles France visa applications in Algeria now?

Capago Algérie has been the sole official provider for France visa filing since 8 April 2025, replacing VFS Global and TLScontact. Capago runs centres in Algiers (Mohammadia), Oran (Bir El Djir), Annaba and Constantine. The consulates general of France in Algiers, Oran and Annaba decide; Capago only collects the file and biometrics. Spain uses BLS International; Italy, Germany and most others use VFS Global or TLScontact in Algeria. Check France-Visas Algérie for the current provider before paying anyone.

What documents does an Algerian need for a Schengen tourist visa?

A short-stay file needs the France-Visas form, passport, photo, insurance, travel proof, financial proof and proof of ties. In full:

France-Visas application form, completed online, printed and signed.
Passport valid at least three months after the planned return, issued within the last 10 years, with two blank pages, plus copies of previous visas.
One recent 35×45 mm photo on a plain light background.
Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 across the Schengen area for the whole stay.
Flight reservation and accommodation (hotel booking or attestation d'accueil for a family visit).
Last three months of bank statements and, for employees, three payslips and an employer attestation with authorised leave; for the self-employed, registre de commerce and tax returns; for students, enrolment certificate.
Proof of ties to Algeria: employment contract, property deed, family record book.
Cover letter explaining purpose, dates and who pays.

Consulates can request more; France-Visas generates the exact list for your visa type.

How do I book a Capago appointment and which centre serves my wilaya?

Book only at appointment-alg.capago.eu after completing the France-Visas form; the centre depends on your wilaya of residence. Capago introduced a new appointment system on 16 June 2026 and requires the service fee to be prepaid to confirm the slot. The Algiers centre serves the central wilayas, Oran the west, Annaba and Constantine the east; the wilaya list per centre is on Capago's appointment page. Capago's contact centre is 09 82 300 200 and infofrance-dz@capago.eu. Any other site or person offering a Capago slot is not authorised.

After a refusal, should I reapply or file a recours?

Reapply if you can fix the stated ground; file a recours if you believe the decision was wrong on the facts. There is no waiting period: you may lodge a new application at once, paying the fee again. For a challenge, French procedure gives two months from notification for a recours gracieux to the consulate, then two months for an appeal to the Commission de recours contre les décisions de refus de visa (CRRV) in Nantes, and a further two months for the tribunal administratif de Nantes. Info Droits Étrangers publishes the full procedure. In practice, a new application with the missing evidence resolves most ground 2, 8 and 12 refusals faster than a recours.

How much does a Schengen visa cost from Algeria?

Expect roughly 25,000 to 40,000 DZD in unavoidable costs before flights (estimate), and none of it is refunded on refusal.

Item	Amount	Source
Schengen visa fee, adult	€90, paid in DZD at the consular rate	EU Visa Code, in force since 11 June 2024
Visa fee, child 6 to 12	€45	EU Visa Code
Capago service fee (France)	5,150 DZD since 15 June 2026	Capago Algérie announcement, 16 June 2026
Travel insurance, €30,000 cover	estimate: 3,000 to 8,000 DZD for two weeks	market range, varies by insurer
Optional Capago document pre-check	priced separately by Capago	Capago Algérie

At the 2025 refusal rate, Algerian applicants lost an estimated €11.5 million in visa fees alone (127,936 refusals × €90; estimate assuming the adult fee).

Which tools can help prepare a file, and can any guarantee approval?

None can guarantee approval; the useful ones check completeness and consistency before you book. Voyalo (by Linkora, Algiers) offers a free readiness check by destination and visa type, a document scanner, a 35×45 mm photo tool, a cover-letter generator and a scam-link checker, in French, Arabic, Darija and English, with a paid document review at 8,900 DZD. Capago sells an optional pre-check at its Algiers centre. Any service that sells "guaranteed" visas or appointments is a scam by definition, because the decision belongs to the consulate alone.

How do I recognise visa and appointment scams in Algeria?

An offer to secure the decision, a paid Capago slot, or a request for your original passport outside an official centre are three warning signs. HelloSafe reported Algerian applicants losing up to 120,000 DZD each to fake agencies in 2024. Official France appointments cost nothing beyond the published service fee, and only appointment-alg.capago.eu issues them. Check any link against the official domains (capago.eu, france-visas.gouv.fr, blsspainvisa.com, vfsglobal.com) before paying.

Where are the visa centres in Algeria?

Capago (France): Route nationale 24, Pins Maritimes, Mohammadia, Algiers · Les Pyramides, Tour d'affaires USTO, Bir El Djir, Oran · Section 21, Îlot 16, Annaba · Lotissement Cirta, Zone Boussouf, Constantine. Other countries' centres (BLS for Spain, VFS Global and TLScontact for others) are listed on each consulate's site. Decisions come from the consulates general in Algiers, Oran and Annaba; you cannot walk into a consulate without a provider appointment.

What changed in 2025 and 2026?

Four changes: Capago took over France filings on 8 April 2025; the 2025 refusal rate fell to 31%; Capago's service fee moved to 5,150 DZD and a new booking system launched on 15 and 16 June 2026; and the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began replacing passport stamps on 12 October 2025. ETIAS applies to visa-exempt travellers only, so not to Algerian passport holders. The visa fee rise to €90 dates from 11 June 2024.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Schengen refusal rate for Algerians the highest in the world?: No longer by rate. In 2024 Algeria had the largest number of refusals of any nationality (185,101) and a 35% rate. In 2025 the rate fell to 31%, below Senegal (51.9%), Nigeria and Bangladesh, though Algeria still ranks among the top countries by refusal count.
Can I apply for a Schengen visa without going through Capago?: Not for France. Since 8 April 2025 Capago is the only channel for lodging a France visa in Algeria. Other Schengen countries use their own providers (BLS for Spain, VFS Global or TLScontact for most others).
How long does a decision take from Algeria?: The Visa Code sets 15 calendar days, extendable to 45. HelloSafe reports 25 to 30 days as typical in North Africa. Apply at least six weeks before travel and no more than six months ahead.
Does a previous refusal hurt a new application?: It is recorded in the Visa Information System and the officer will see it. It does not block you, but the new file must visibly correct the ground cited in the refusal letter. Reapplying with an identical file usually produces an identical refusal.
How much money must I show in my bank account?: France does not publish a fixed amount for Algerian applicants. Consulates look for regular income and a balance consistent with the length and cost of the trip. Sudden large deposits shortly before applying are a common reason for a finding that the information provided is not reliable.
Is the visa fee refunded if I am refused?: No. The €90 fee and the Capago service fee are kept whatever the decision. Some insurers, including AXA Schengen, refund the insurance premium on proof of refusal.
Can an AI tool or agency guarantee my visa?: No. Only the consulate decides, and any promise of a guaranteed visa or appointment is a scam. Tools such as Voyalo can check whether your file is complete and consistent, which addresses the most commonly cited refusal grounds; they cannot influence the decision.
Who decides my visa: Capago or the consulate?: The consulate general of France in Algiers, Oran or Annaba, depending on your wilaya. Capago collects the documents and biometrics and returns the passport; it has no role in the decision.

Author

Signed by Amine Kebaili, Founder, Voyalo by Linkora, Birkhadem, Algiers.

Figures verified against the European Commission 2025 dataset on 25 September 2026.

Voyalo is an independent preparation service, not a government agency or law firm. It does not decide whether a visa is issued.