Many Africans have shown high interest in travelling to European countries within the Schengen area. The Schengen visa, which allows free movement across 27 European nations, has become a common entry point for Africans exploring Europe for business, tourism, and personal reasons. As visa applications increase, some African countries have emerged as leading sources of applications for these travel permits. The increase in Schengen visa applications reflects a rise in African migration, driven by structural and governance challenges. If current trends continue, cross-border migration from Africa could reach 11 to 12 million by 2050. Since 1990, the African diaspora has grown significantly, with Europe hosting 11 million, Asia 5 million, and North America 3 million African-born migrants, making Europe the largest destination.Here are the top 6 African countries with the highest Schengen visa applications 1. MoroccoMorocco leads the list in Africa, with 591,401 applications for Schengen visas, making it the fourth largest applicant globally. Moroccans strong interest in Europe as a destination can be linked to the countrys geographic proximity and historic ties to nations such as France and Spain. This demand reflects a combination of social, economic, and educational pursuits. Moroccan applicants form a crucial component of Europes tourism and business visa applicants, marking their place as Africas most active Schengen visa seekers. 2. AlgeriaAlgeria follows with 474,032 Schengen visa applications, placing it sixth in the world. Much like Morocco, Algerias historic connections to Europe, especially France, play a significant role in the volume of applications. Many Algerians seek opportunities to visit family, pursue higher education, or explore economic opportunities in Europe. Algerias substantial demand underlines a continued connection with Europe, especially given the existing diaspora and established ties across the Mediterranean. 3. South AfricaSouth Africa ranks third in Africa and twelfth globally, with 204,221 Schengen visa

applications. South Africans often seek travel opportunities in Europe for tourism, education, and business. The countrys citizens pursue a range of experiences and partnerships, reflecting South Africas diverse economic engagements with Europe. This steady demand highlights South Africas position as a major African player in international mobility, with Europe as a top destination for travel and career development.4. Tunisia Tunisia recorded 159,740 Schengen visa applications, ranking nineteenth worldwide. Tunisians often view Europe as an accessible destination due to Tunisias geographic location on the Mediterranean coast. Many applicants are motivated by educational and professional aspirations, along with tourism. Despite challenges, Tunisians consistently demonstrate a strong interest in European travel, connecting to the regions dynamic social and economic landscape. 5. NigeriaWith 105,926 Schengen visa applications, Nigeria holds the fifth position in Africa and ranks twenty-third globally. Nigerians apply for Schengen visas for a mix of purposes, including education, business, and family visits. The growing Nigerian diaspora across Europe is also a factor, creating sustained interest in travel and mobility. For Nigerians, Europe represents both opportunity and access to a range of economic, academic, and social pathways, underlining Nigerias presence in global travel trends. 6. AngolaAngola rounds out the top six with 72,549 applications, placing thirtieth in the world. Angolas growing demand for Schengen visas signals an emerging interest in Europe, likely influenced by expanding educational and business opportunities. Angolan applicants, similar to other African nationals, see Europe as a space for growth and connection. Angolas inclusion in this list highlights the increasing mobility of its citizens in seeking opportunities abroad, particularly in the European context. V.5682

Diaspora remittances by Kenyans living and working in South Africa have posted a recovery after years of subdued performance in the post-pandemic period largely on difficulties in getting work permits for skilled workers despite a visa-free deal between the two countries.Yes, the amount of money sent home by Kenyans in South Africa has increased despite difficulties with work permits: Remittances are up V.5692
Click here for full article

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Counter Corruption and Security Services branch has busted various individuals, including the kingpin of a syndicate that helped businesses bring in illegal foreign nationals on forged documents.Thirty-four individuals have been dismissed from the department, of which 13 have been sentenced. Depending on their level of involvement, those convicted face jail time ranging from four to 26 years.This was revealed in the DHA Counter Corruption and Security Services branchs presentation to the Portfolio Committee of Home Affairs on Tuesday, 29 October 2024.The branch said it employed a multi-disciplinary approach to catch those involved in the syndicate after a whistle-blower informed it about foreign nationals getting South African passports through photo swap fraud. V.5693
Click here for full article

Germany and Somalia reached an agreement to deport undocumented Somali nationals from Germany.The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said migrants without the right to stay in Germany would be repatriated quickly and effectively.At present, 65,000 Somalis live in Germany.The leaders of Germany and Somalia have agreed to step up the repatriation of undocumented Somalis in Germany. V.5690
Click here for full article

Only an immigration officer may arrest a person deemed an illegal foreignerThe process of deporting illegal foreigners in South Africa is governed by the Immigration Act which empowers the home affairs department to arrest, detain and deport people who are not entitled to stay in the country. Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber, in a reply to a parliamentary question, said the department spent close to R53m between April and August to deport 19,750 illegal foreigners.The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, a nonprofit organisation which helps migrant communities and displaced people, details the process which must take place after someone has been found to be illegally in the country. V.5691
Click here for full article

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court heard arguments from the DA that sought to confirm a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) that the government cannot remove someone’s citizenship simply because they are also a citizen of another country.The roots of this case go back more than a decade. The Home Affairs Ministry, currently headed by the DA’s Leon Schreiber, did not argue in the case, but simply said in court it would abide by its decision. This followed an earlier decision by his predecessor, the ANC’s Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. While he had first opposed the case, before the election this year, he had said publicly he would not oppose the ratification of the SCA’s judgment by the Constitutional Court.Legally, one of the questions at the heart of the case is whether the minister of Home Affairs has the power to make a decision that is so important to a person’s life. V.5689
Click here for full article

The tourism sector remains a cornerstone of the South African economy, driving economic growth and job creation. While various provinces are vying for the title of South Africas top tourist destination, Gauteng has consistently emerged as the popular choice for both domestic and international visitors.In a recent parliamentary response to the DAs Haseena Ismail, Tourism minister Patricia de Lille unpacked some of the key figures in the countrys critical sector since 2022.According to the minister, of the approximately ~5.7 million international tourists that visited South Africa between January and December of 2022, 2.3 million visited Gauteng, followed by Mpumalanga at 1.2 million and the Western Cape at 0.9 million. V.5688
Click here for full article

They are facing charges of contravening various sections of the Immigration Act.Two men accused of producing fake home affairs documents have been released on bail.Khalid Hoosen, 58, and Sirajbhai Isiyailbhai Patel, 56, made their second appearance in the Durban Magistrates Court in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Tuesday.National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said they are facing charges of contravening various sections of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No.13 of 2002). V.5683
Click here for full article

CEO Alinah Fosi said the poor state of the 50-year-old building made it difficult to install state of the art machinery and its needing to outsource information technology help to get systems up to scratch.CAPE TOWN - Much of the ineffectiveness of government`s printing works has been blamed on the Department of Public Works and SITA, governments information technology agency.Following a surprise visit recently by Parliament`s Home Affairs committee, the printing works was again before the House on Tuesday, to provide a progress report on how it’s implementing recommendations to turn around operations. V.5684
Click here for full article

The reinstatement of the plan to offer early retirement to senior civil servants as part of a broader strategy to reduce the nations high public sector wage bill has been met with mixed reactions with critics arguing that it will result in a brain drain in the countrys civil service.The medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) tabled by finance minister Enoch Godongwana on 30 October noted that the government was proposing to reactivate early retirement without penalties in 2025/26 and 2026/27 in a bid to further contain public service wage costs amid a deteriorating fiscus.To support this initiative, an additional R11 billion will be allocated over the next two fiscal years. Details will be set out in the 2025 Budget, stated the budget documents.The MTBPS highlighted that the public sector wage bill represents the governments most substantial financial challenge. V.5685
Click here for full article

The Minister and Director-General of Home Affairs will abide by the ConCourt`s decision.The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the South African citizenship for individuals who lost it after obtaining citizenship in another country should be reinstated.One such case involves Philip James Plaatjies, who lost his South African citizenship in 2007 after becoming a naturalised citizen of the United Kingdom (UK), following his marriage to a British woman three years prior.Unaware of the consequences, Plaatjies was affected by Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act, which states that South Africans automatically forfeit their citizenship if they voluntarily and formally acquire citizenship of another country.According to Section 6(2) of the Act, individuals must apply to the Minister of Home Affairs to retain their South African citizenship before obtaining foreign citizenship.DA challenges Citizenship ActPlaatjies’ pursuit of dual citizenship led the DA to challenge the constitutionality of Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act. V.5686
Click here for full article