French authorities have clarified that the visa application process for Algerian nationals has not been blocked or frozen, despite circulating rumors. These claims had spread across various social media platforms, causing confusion and concern among many.
The confusion comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria, with calls from French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, to reconsider the longstanding Franco-Algerian agreement. While this political backdrop has contributed to some unease, sources close to the situation, speaking to Visa Algerie, confirmed that the issues are linked to administrative delays rather than any decision to halt or restrict visa applications. Specifically, these delays are tied to the ongoing transition as VFS Global and TLS Contact are phased out in favor of a new service provider, Capago International.
Despite the rumors, there has been no official freeze on the visa process, and French authorities have made it clear that there is no plan to block applications for Algerian nationals.
The frustration felt by many Algerians is palpable, particularly on social media, where individuals have shared their struggles in securing French Schengen visas. One of the biggest complaints is the difficulty in obtaining appointments and the slow processing times. These setbacks appear to be temporary and tied to the changes underway with the outsourcing companies, though it’s still unclear whether Capago International will bring about smoother operations in the long run.
In the background, the political tensions between France and Algeria continue to simmer, with both sides engaged in a delicate diplomatic dance. Recently, the French Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, proposed ending visa-free entry for Algerians holding diplomatic passports. This suggestion followed the controversial deportation of an Algerian influencer, whose violent rhetoric led to his removal from France, only for Algerian authorities to refuse his return, sending him back the same day.
Visa statistics from the Schengen Statistics Portal tell a striking story. In 2023, Algerians had the highest visa refusal rate from France, with a total of 93,151 Schengen applications denied. Other Schengen countries like Spain, Italy, Malta, and Belgium also saw high refusal rates, but France led the pack in rejecting Algerian visa requests.