The European Union has announced a tougher visa process for Ethiopia due to the country’s lack of cooperation in taking back rejected asylum-seekers and irregular migrants. Ethiopians will no longer receive leeway on documentation for EU visits, multiple-entry visas, and diplomats will now have to pay for visas. The processing time for standard EU visas for Ethiopians has been extended to 45 days from 15 days.
This move is part of the EU’s strategy to manage irregular immigration, with stricter rules aimed at speeding up returns of irregular migrants ineligible for asylum. The EU has also used its trade leverage and desire for visas as a tool to encourage outside countries to take back rejected irregular migrants.
Similar tougher visa processes have already been imposed on Gambia, and now Ethiopia is facing the same consequences. The European Commission found that Ethiopia’s cooperation in readmitting its nationals illegally staying in the EU was insufficient, leading to the stricter visa conditions.
While the tougher visa rules are temporary, Brussels will continue to assess Ethiopia’s cooperation on this issue. The Council of the EU emphasized that the application of EU visa rules to countries depends on their cooperation in taking back migrants. Last September, Ethiopia only accepted back 10 percent of its nationals flagged for return in 2020 and 2021.
The EU’s decision underscores the importance of cooperation in managing migration flows and ensuring the smooth return of irregular migrants.