Switzerland lifts visa restrictions on Ethiopia
Bern, 12.06.2026 — Under the Schengen Association Agreement, Switzerland has decided to lift the visa restrictions it has applied to Ethiopia since April 2024. The Federal Council adopted the measure at its meeting on 12 June, following a decision by the Council of the European Union (EU) to reinstate certain visa requirements for Ethiopia in response to the country's improved cooperation on returns.
Two years ago, the EU suspended certain provisions of the Visa Code for Ethiopia because the country was not cooperating sufficiently on the return of its nationals staying illegally in the Schengen area. As this constituted a development of the Schengen acquis, Switzerland followed suit.
Given the marked improvement in Ethiopia's cooperation on returns, the EU reactivated these Visa Code provisions in May. Switzerland has likewise noted a significant improvement on returns and, as a Schengen-associated state, supported this measure.
With immediate effect, Switzerland is reintroducing the following facilitations for Ethiopian nationals: the option to waive supporting documents, exemption from visa fees for holders of diplomatic and service passports, the issuing of multiple-entry visas, and the processing of visa applications within 15 days.