Petition for Urgent Schengen Visa Processing for Ethiopian Seafarers

Date: January 17, 2026

To: The Head of the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Subject: Urgent Request for a 72-Hour Expedited Visa Process for Ethiopian Seafarers

To the Honorable Members of the EU Delegation,

We, the undersigned Ethiopian Seafarers, are writing to formally bring to your attention a critical challenge regarding the issuance of Schengen Transit and Entry Visas. Currently, the processing times at various EU Member State embassies in Addis Ababa are causing Ethiopian maritime professionals to miss vessel join dates, leading to loss of employment and severe financial hardship.

As essential workers in the global supply chain, our ability to join vessels on time is vital. We wish to highlight the following points:

* Contractual Urgency: Seafarers often receive "Letters of Employment" and vessel schedules with short notice. A delay of even a few days often results in the shipping company replacing the Ethiopian seafarer with a different nationality that has easier visa access.

* International Standards: Under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) and the IMO Facilitation (FAL) Convention, member states are encouraged to facilitate the movement of seafarers and minimize administrative barriers for crew changes.

* The "3-Day" Necessity: To remain competitive in the global maritime market, Ethiopian seafarers require a dedicated "Fast Track" system that ensures visa issuance within three (3) working days upon presentation of a valid Seaman’s Book and a Letter of Guarantee from a recognized shipping agency.

Our Prayers/Requests:

* A Dedicated Maritime Window: Implementation of a priority processing desk for seafarers at EU member state consulates.

* Standardized Requirements: A clear, harmonized list of requirements specifically for maritime transit to reduce "back-and-forth" documentation.

* Emergency Issuance: Recognition of the urgent nature of vessel arrivals, allowing for 72-hour processing in documented cases of crew relief.

We remain committed to following all legal immigration protocols and simply seek the efficiency required by our unique profession. We hope for a favorable response to ensure that Ethiopian seafarers can continue to contribute to international trade.

Sincerely,

[Your Name/Representative Name]

[Ethiopian Seafarer Union]

[+251910728080/ +251921933007]

[esemies23@gmail.com]