How to apply for a Schengen visa

From 8 February 2022, the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi is responsible for handling Schengen visa applications for travels to Sweden from Ethiopia. The Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi is a migration hub for Schengen visa application in Africa and is currently handling Schengen visa applications from South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya. 

You need to submit your application in good time before travelling. According to article 9 section 1 in the visa code, EU 2019/1155, you should apply no less than 15 days before the planned visit begins. The 15 days is counted from when the application is received by the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi. Consequently, you must calculate with the transportation time when planning for your submission.

The Council of the European Union restricts visa provision for Ethiopian nationals

On 29th April 2024 the Council of the European Union decided to temporarily suspend certain elements of the EU visa code that regulates the issuing of visas to Ethiopian nationals. The decision was made due to insufficient cooperation by Ethiopia on readmission under Article 25a of the Visa Code. The suspension decision applies to all applications lodged from 1st June 2024 by Ethiopian nationals falling within the scope of the measures. The suspension decision is temporary but does not come with a specific end date. The Commission will continue to assess any progress made on readmission cooperation.

The measures and their implementation

The decision applies to nationals of Ethiopia who are subject to the visa requirement regardless of place of residence.  According to the Council's decision, the following temporary visa restrictions are introduced: 

• The possibility to waive requirements regarding the documents that visa applicants must submit is removed. This means that applicants must submit a complete set of supporting documents proving that the entry conditions are met with each application. Missing documents can result in a refusal.
• The processing time of 15 calendar days is no longer applied. The normal processing time is set to 45 days for all cases subject to the visa restrictions. 

• only single-entry visas can be granted. 

• Holders of diplomatic and service passport are no longer exempt from the visa fee.

Exemptions

This Decision does not apply to nationals of Ethiopia applying for a visa who are family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies or family members of a national of a third country enjoying a right of free movement equivalent to that of Union citizens under an agreement between the Union and a third country. It also does not apply to family members of British citizens covered by the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK. 

• Please note that EU citizens residing in the Member State of their own nationality do not normally benefit from the rights granted by the Directive (as there is no element of free movement). For example, a Swedish citizen living in Sweden do not hold a right of residence based on Directive 2004/38/EC in his/her home country, unless he or she returned to Sweden after having utilised the right of free movement in another Member State for a certain period. 

The decision also does not apply to citizens of Ethiopia who apply for Schengen visa to participate in meetings with international intergovernmental organizations or at international conferences organized by a Member State.

Ethiopian nationals should apply no less than 45 days before the planned visit.

A late application might be refused or in some cases a request for a new flight booking, insurance and even new invitation will be sent. A request for new documents is likely to increase the handling time further.

The normal transportation time one way is 2 days for Ethiopia to Nairobi.

The Embassy should handle your application within 15 days, for Ethiopian nationals the processing time of 15 calendar is no longer applied. the normal processing time is set to 45 days. If the application is admissible, counted from when the Embassy has received the application. If an application is not complete or if an interview or document verification is needed the handling time can be extended up to 45 days.

Inquiries about Schengen visas should be addressed to the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi by email (ambassaden.nairobi-visum@gov.se) or phone. The Embassy´s phone hours are Monday and Wednesdays 2-3 pm and Fridays 10-11 am local Kenyan time. See the Embassy´s Website for holidays and such Contact - Sweden Abroad . The Swedish Embassy in Addis Abeba is no longer handling Schengen visas and consequently your email will be sent to the Embassy in Nairobi. Inquiry by phone directed to the Embassy in Addis Abeba will not be answered (you will only be referred to the Embassy in Nairobi). During the peak season (May-July and November-December) you need to wait patiently for a reply.

VFS Global

In Ethiopia, Sweden cooperates with the external service provider VFS Global. All applications for Schengen visas should be handed in at VFS Global. Applications must be made in person at VFS. 

All Schengen visa applications (1-90 days) from Ethiopia to Sweden, as the main destination, must be submitted at VFS Global’s Application Center 1st Floor, Haimi Apartment Hotel, Bole Sub City, 03 Woreda, Addis Abeba, not at the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa.  

Applications are transmitted from VFS Global to the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi. Once a decision has been taken by the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, passports and decisions will be sent back to VFS office in Addis Ababa. VFS Global will charge for the service.

The maximum handling time is in general 15 days/45 days. In addition, to the handling there is a transportation time back and forth to Nairobi of 2-3 days each way. This can be increased if unforeseen flight delays occur.

Information about required documents for submission of a Schengen visa application can be found on VFS’ website, click here.

VFS has a call center which can be reached on +251 960437204 

Information about Schengen visas can also be found on the website of Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, click here.

Be wary of other agents selling services

Please note that VFS Global has been the only authorized external service provider collaborating with the Swedish authorities on applications for visas to Schengen.

It is not necessary to hire an agency/agent to help out with the visa application. It is perfectly acceptable, preferable even, to fill in the application and arranging the supporting documents by yourself.