EU Tightens Visa Rules for Ethiopian Nationals over Readmission Cooperation Concerns

On 29 April 2024, the Council of the EU decided to temporarily suspend certain provisions of EU law that govern the issuing of visas to Ethiopian nationals. The move tied the bloc's visa policy directly to cooperation on the return of people who are staying in the EU without authorisation, and it followed a formal assessment by the European Commission.

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What changed for applicants

Under the decision, member states can no longer waive requirements regarding the evidence Ethiopian applicants must submit, issue multiple-entry visas, or waive the visa fee for holders of diplomatic and service passports. The standard processing period also doubles in effect, rising from 15 to 45 calendar days. The suspension is temporary but carries no fixed end date; the Commission said it would keep assessing any progress on readmission cooperation.

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Why the EU acted

The decision followed a Commission assessment concluding that Ethiopia's cooperation on the readmission of its nationals illegally staying in the EU was insufficient. Officials pointed to a lack of response to readmission requests, a low return rate, and persistent difficulties in obtaining emergency travel documents and organising both voluntary and non-voluntary returns. Under the EU visa code, the Commission regularly reviews how non-EU countries cooperate on readmission, and where that cooperation falls short the EU can suspend specific provisions as leverage. To see which travellers need a visa or an ETIAS authorisation in the first place, read our guide on who needs to apply.