Switzerland’s Federal Council has removed the special visa restrictions it introduced for Ethiopian nationals in April 2024. Acting under its Schengen Association obligations, Bern followed a parallel decision by the EU Council after Brussels judged that Addis Ababa is now cooperating satisfactorily on the readmission of irregular migrants. The reversal, announced on 12 June 2026, means Ethiopian travellers once again benefit from standard Schengen processing times and documentation rules. Under the previous regime, Ethiopian applicants faced higher fees, had to produce extensive supporting evidence and were generally limited to single-entry, short-stay visas. Those hurdles will disappear with immediate effect. Diplomats and officials travelling on service passports regain fee waivers, and consulates can again issue multiple-entry visas processed within 15 days.
![Switzerland Lifts Schengen-Era Visa Restrictions on Ethiopia]()
Travellers and HR coordinators seeking a one-stop resource for Schengen documentation can leverage VisaHQ’s Switzerland page (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) for up-to-date checklists, digital application tools and optional concierge services that simplify the process and mitigate compliance risk.
The change is likely to be felt most in Geneva, where Ethiopia maintains a sizeable UN mission, and in Zurich’s commodity-trading sector, which sources coffee and agricultural products from East Africa. Mobility managers at multinationals say the eased regime could reduce lead-times for project-based travel and help contain compliance costs for short-term assignments. Airlines also expect a modest uptick in traffic between Addis Ababa and Zurich as the summer season begins. For employers, the practical takeaway is that standard Schengen documentation (travel insurance, proof of funds, accommodation confirmation) again suffices. Global mobility teams should update invitation-letter templates and remove any references to the 2024 derogations. Ethiopian assignees already holding a visa issued under the restrictive regime can continue to travel until its expiry; renewal applications will be handled under the normal code. Finally, risk managers should note that Switzerland reserves the right to reimpose restrictions if cooperation on returns deteriorates. Periodic monitoring of EU compliance reports is therefore recommended to avoid sudden policy shifts.
Travellers and HR coordinators seeking a one-stop resource for Schengen documentation can leverage VisaHQ’s Switzerland page (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) for up-to-date checklists, digital application tools and optional concierge services that simplify the process and mitigate compliance risk.
The change is likely to be felt most in Geneva, where Ethiopia maintains a sizeable UN mission, and in Zurich’s commodity-trading sector, which sources coffee and agricultural products from East Africa. Mobility managers at multinationals say the eased regime could reduce lead-times for project-based travel and help contain compliance costs for short-term assignments. Airlines also expect a modest uptick in traffic between Addis Ababa and Zurich as the summer season begins. For employers, the practical takeaway is that standard Schengen documentation (travel insurance, proof of funds, accommodation confirmation) again suffices. Global mobility teams should update invitation-letter templates and remove any references to the 2024 derogations. Ethiopian assignees already holding a visa issued under the restrictive regime can continue to travel until its expiry; renewal applications will be handled under the normal code. Finally, risk managers should note that Switzerland reserves the right to reimpose restrictions if cooperation on returns deteriorates. Periodic monitoring of EU compliance reports is therefore recommended to avoid sudden policy shifts.
