The European Union has announced tightened visa regulations for Ethiopian nationals, citing a lack of cooperation from the Ethiopian government regarding the repatriation of individuals who have entered Europe without authorization.
Under the new measures, the processing time for visa applications from Ethiopian citizens will be extended from 15 to 45 days, and certain exemptions for required documentation will no longer be granted. Additionally, Ethiopian officials and diplomats will now be required to pay for travel visas, and the issuance of multiple entry visas will be discontinued.
The European Commission attributed these restrictions to the “lack of response from Ethiopian authorities with regard to readmission requests” and deficiencies in both voluntary and involuntary return operations.
These measures coincide with European efforts to manage the influx of refugees departing from conflict-ridden African nations in search of entry into Europe. The journey across the Mediterranean Sea, often facilitated by criminal networks, is perilous and frequently results in loss of life. However, a significant portion of migrants entering Europe do so legally but subsequently overstay their visas.
Ethiopia continues to grapple with the aftermath of the two-year conflict in the northern Tigray region, which concluded in 2022. Since the conflict’s resolution, a substantial portion of the region’s six million inhabitants have relied on international assistance for their livelihoods.