Visa Acquisition Mission in Addis Ababa
We are currently in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on a stopover to obtain visas for the Republic of Niger. Previously, it was possible to obtain a visa from the consulate in Japan. However, the consulate’s website is now closed, and the only way to obtain a visa is to visit a country where the Nigerien embassy is located. For this reason, we chose Addis Ababa as our transit point.
As a hub airport for many African countries, Addis Ababa has numerous flights arriving and departing daily. We thought this would be the most efficient way to acquire the visas. However, reality was not as simple as we had hoped…
“Following the Procedures Should Work”—But It Didn’t
We have often heard from African international students that obtaining a visa to Japan is extremely difficult. We thought we understood their struggles, but deep down, we believed that if one followed the procedures properly, things would work out somehow.
However, this time, after applying for the Niger visas online and planning to collect them in Addis Ababa, our applications were not approved, and we had to cancel our trip. This experience made us realize firsthand how challenging visa acquisition can be, and we reflected on our previous assumption that it would be an easy process.
Gratitude for the Support and Moving Forward!
Throughout this application process, many people supported us, and we are deeply grateful for their help. Some checked with relevant authorities on the reasons for the rejection, while others prepared invitation letters for us. Their support was incredibly reassuring, and it made us appreciate the value of cooperation once again.
This time, things didn’t go as planned, but we gained a valuable experience. Next time, we will make it happen!
During our stay in Ethiopia, we also had the unexpected opportunity to witness Timkat, one of the most significant religious celebrations in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This festival commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Ethiopia.
Although our visa acquisition mission ended in failure, the journey of learning continues! We are determined to succeed next time!
Photos
Comments