The European Union has announced stricter visa regulations for individuals from Ethiopia, aiming to compel the East African nation to accept the return of irregular migrants from the EU. Under the new measures, Ethiopians will face extended visa processing times, with a waiting period of 45 days instead of the previous 15. Additionally, multiple-entry visas will no longer be issued, and fee waivers for Ethiopian diplomats and officials will be discontinued.
The decision, disclosed by the Council of the EU on April 29, is a response to what the European Commission perceives as inadequate cooperation from Ethiopia in readmitting its nationals residing illegally in the EU. Despite requests from EU countries for the repatriation of Ethiopian citizens—both voluntarily and through deportation—the Ethiopian authorities have reportedly been unresponsive.
The EU’s objective is to enhance deportation rates, as only a fraction of those ordered to leave the EU are successfully returned to their home countries. When nations refuse to accept their nationals back, the EU may resort to penalties such as visa restrictions. Similar sanctions were imposed on Gambia in 2021 to incentivize cooperation on readmissions.
The duration of the visa restrictions on Ethiopia will be contingent on the country’s progress in cooperating with readmission procedures, according to the Council of the EU. However, research by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles suggests that restrictive visa policies may not necessarily improve cooperation on readmissions and could even diminish return rates.