#32026D1131EU restores standard Schengen visa rules for Ethiopian nationals
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This decision ends the EU’s temporary visa restrictions for Ethiopian nationals. Those restrictions had made Schengen visa processing tougher after the EU found Ethiopia’s cooperation on returning its nationals from EU Member States was not good enough. The practical effect is that Ethiopian applicants can again benefit from the standard Visa Code rules, including normal processing timelines and the possibility of multiple-entry visas or fee waivers where the rules allow them. EU consulates and travel planners should apply the regular Schengen visa framework instead of the stricter 2024 measures.
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Key Changes
- Repeals the 2024 EU decision that temporarily tightened Schengen visa rules for Ethiopian nationals
- Restores the standard 15-day visa processing period instead of making 45 days the normal period
- Reopens the normal possibilities for multiple-entry visas, document waivers, and fee waivers for eligible diplomatic and service passport holders
Obligations
What this law requires
EU Member State consular authorities must stop applying the temporary Visa Code restrictions introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1341 for Ethiopian nationals and apply the standard Schengen Visa Code rules instead.
Schengen visa applications from Ethiopian nationals must again be processed under the general Visa Code processing period of 15 calendar days, with extensions only where the Visa Code permits individual extension.
EU consular authorities must again consider waivers of documentary evidence requirements for Ethiopian visa applicants where Article 14(6) of the Visa Code allows such waivers.
EU consular authorities must again consider visa fee waivers for Ethiopian holders of diplomatic or service passports where Article 16(5)(b) of the Visa Code allows such waivers.
EU consular authorities must again assess Ethiopian applicants for multiple-entry visas under the standard Visa Code criteria instead of excluding that possibility under the repealed 2024 suspension measures.