The European Union recently announced that it would be tightening visa requirements for people from Ethiopia due to the government’s failure to cooperate in taking back citizens found to be living illegally within the EU. This move includes tripling the time it takes to process visas for Ethiopian nationals from 15 to 45 days. Additionally, EU countries will no longer have the ability to waive requirements for certain paperwork or issue multiple-entry visas. Ethiopian diplomats and officials will now be required to pay for travel visas. The European Commission is using visa rules as a means to pressure countries into cooperating with deportation procedures, as only about one in three people ordered to leave the EU actually do so.
The European Commission’s decision to tighten visa requirements for Ethiopians is in response to the lack of cooperation from Ethiopian authorities in regards to readmission requests, as well as issues with the organization of both voluntary and non-voluntary return operations, which involves deportation. Many individuals who stay illegally in the EU arrive legally via airports or ports but fail to leave once their visas expire. This population of overstays is more prevalent than those who arrive in Europe via risky methods such as unseaworthy boats or overland travel in search of refuge, jobs, or a better life. The EU is grappling with the challenge of managing this issue effectively while also addressing the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is currently facing a humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict, particularly in the northern Tigray region. The two-year conflict, which concluded with a peace deal in November 2022, has left much of the region’s population relying on international assistance. Ethiopia serves as a major place of origin and transit for migrants and refugees in the Horn of Africa region, acting as a hub for individuals from countries such as Eritrea and Somalia who are seeking to reach Europe or other parts of the African continent. The EU’s decision to tighten visa requirements for Ethiopians comes amidst these complex geopolitical and humanitarian challenges.
The fundraising effort for conflict-hit Ethiopia has garnered $630 million, which falls just over half of the initial $1 billion goal. The international community has rallied to provide support for Ethiopia in the wake of the conflict and humanitarian crisis. The European Union, along with other global partners, is working to address the urgent needs of the Ethiopian population and provide assistance in various forms, including financial support. The fundraising efforts highlight the importance of international solidarity and cooperation in responding to humanitarian crises and conflicts around the world.
The European Union’s decision to tighten visa requirements for Ethiopians reflects a broader strategy of using visa rules as a means of applying pressure on countries to cooperate in deportation procedures. As the EU grapples with managing illegal immigration and overstays within its borders, it aims to encourage greater cooperation from countries of origin in taking back citizens found to be living illegally in the EU. By utilizing visa regulations in this manner, the European Commission seeks to address the challenges posed by irregular migration while promoting a more orderly and controlled immigration system within the EU.
Overall, the European Union’s recent announcement regarding changes to visa requirements for Ethiopians sheds light on the complex intersection of migration, humanitarian crises, and geopolitical challenges facing the international community. As the EU navigates the issue of illegal immigration and overstays within its borders, it is faced with the task of balancing humanitarian concerns with the need for effective border management and enforcement of immigration regulations. The situation in Ethiopia serves as a poignant example of the multifaceted nature of migration-related issues and the importance of international collaboration in addressing these challenges.
