All You Need To Know About Citizenship and Immigration

***UPDATE January 08, 2024

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The immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency (INVEA) has just launched their new Digital INVEA website and Google Play/App Store app. The plan is to create an Ethiopia with enhanced technological capabilities with all documentation needs being fulfilled, processed and delivered with expedited speed and efficacy.

በተቀናጀና በቴክኖሎጂ በተደገፈ አሰራር የኢሚግሬሽን ዜግነትና ወሳኝ ኩነት ኤጀንሲ አገልግሎቶች በውጭ አገር ላሉ ኢትዮጵያዊያንና ትውልደ ኢትዮጵያዊያን በዚህ መተግበርያ ላይ ይሰጣሉ። ሁሉም አስፈላጊ ማስረጃዎች በትክክል ከተሟሉ የጠየቁትን አገልግሎት በፍጥነት ያገኛሉ።

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***UPDATE October 8, 2020

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The Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency (INVEA) has finished its preparations to fully begin regular services, which was paused due to the COVID pandemic.

- New passport applications and passport renewals will be available at all INVEA regional branches beginning on October 12, 2020.

- All regular services will begin at the Addis Ababa Head Office from November 20th, 2020.

- Online applications for passport renewals and to make appointments for a new passport will begin on October 20, 2020.

- Online Ethiopian Visa renewals or requests for a new temporary Ethiopian residency permit services for foreign nationals will start on October 12, 2020.

- Renewal service for ID’s for Ethiopian-born nationals will begin on October 12, 2020.

***END UPDATE

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Online Ethiopian Passport Services

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We prepared the following to help you with your Ethiopian passport needs that you can handle online. Ethiopian online passport services such as the below shall be covered:

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How To Apply For

New Ethiopian Passport

Expired Ethiopian Passport

Ethiopian Passport with Pages Finished

Damaged Ethiopian Passport

Lost or Stolen Ethiopian Passport

Change of Ethiopian Passport Data

Valid Ethiopian Passport

Ethiopian Passport for Applicants Under 18 Years Old

Urgent Service Ethiopian Passports

Emergency Ethiopian Passports

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Ethiopian Immigration Office

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Prior to having a viable immigration office or process, Ethiopian officials (emperors/princes/warlords) would upon encountering a foreigner decide on a whim, what his fate might be. According to historical record, most foreigners were denied entry into the country.

In 1817, Emperor Yohannes put an end to the outdated system and made it a requirement for all foreigners to first be allowed entry, only through the Emperor’s approval.

This was given to the governor of the concerned region, allowing the foreigner entry.

From region to region, the various governors, upon seeing the seal bearing document would provide safety, food, and shelter till they reached the Emperor’s court.

By 1908, Emperor Menelik established the first ministries, and appointed the Ethiopian Ministry of Interior’s Security Directorate to deal with visiting foreigners as well as issuing passports to Ethiopians.

This continued until the end of WWII and the expulsion of the fascist Italian occupiers, at which point a new proclamation made the Immigration Department a division of the Ethiopian Ministry of Public Security.

With the fall of the monarchy, this system continued till 1980 when it became the Ethiopian Consular and Immigration Division.

By 1988, the office had yet another name change, becoming the Ethiopian Immigration and Refugee Affairs Division.

With the removal of the communist Derg government, the bureau had its name changed twice from the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Department to the Main Department For Immigration & Nationality Affairs.

Currently they are responsible for the following tasks:

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Ethiopian Visas

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Ethiopian Tourist Visa

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Tourist visa is an electronic single-entry visa issued by the Ethiopian Government for visitors who wish to travel to the country for tourism or other non-business related purposes only.

Eligibility

Citizens of all countries in the globe are eligible for tourist visa provided that the below requirements are fulfilled:

Requirements

1. Travel document or passport (scanned or camera-captured image) which is valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry.

2. Passport-size photo (scanned or camera-captured image).

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for tourist visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

* Single entry tourist visa is valid up to 90 days starting from the planned date of arrival in Ethiopia. If arrival date of the travelers is changed, travelers should contact the e-Visa Support Team at [email protected] to adjust validity period of their visa.

* It is not allowed to stay in Ethiopia beyond the validity period of the visa.

* Travelers can request for extension before the visa expires by going in person to the Head Office of The Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

Fee

Single Entry 30 days (maximum duration) 52 USD

Single Entry 90 days (maximum duration) 72 USD

Note:

* Applicants must complete the payment online.

* Travelers who can’t make the payment online can get visa on arrival provided that they are eligible.

Apply Here For Tourist Visa

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Visa On Arrival

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Tourist visa (valid for up to three months) can be issued on arrival only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to nationals of the following countries and territories, or persons holding residence permits issued by these countries or territories.

Applicants who claim to have permanent residence in one of the eligible countries are required to show valid residence permit document up on arrival.

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Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Czech Republic

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

India

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kenya Exempted

Kuwait

Luxembourg

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

North Korea

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Slovakia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Thailand

United Kingdom

United States

China

Djibouti

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Student Visa (S.V)

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Student Visas are given to those who come to the country for education or training. The visa is given on confirmation that they have been accepted by an academic institution in Ethiopia.

Transit Visa (T.V)

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A transit visa is given to foreign nationals who are travelling to other countries through Ethiopian territory. Prior to issuing a transit visa, documents such as an ongoing air ticket and duration of stay are required.

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Business Visa

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Conference Visa

Investment Visa

Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa

Ethiopian Government Employment Visa

Journalist Visa

Ethiopian Private Business

Firm Work Visa

International Organizations/Embassies Work Visa

Government Institutions Short Task Visa

and NGO Work Visa

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Conference Visa

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Eligibility

A conference visa is issued to those who wish to visit Ethiopia for International conferences provided that they have an invitation to the conference, seminar or workshop being organized in Ethiopia by a Ministry or Department of the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Regional State Governments, Educational Institutions and Universities or organizations owned by the private sector or by the Government of Ethiopia, United Nations or its specialized agencies, African Union or reputed NGOs.

Requirements

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*Note: Invitation Letter issued by the inviting company/organization to the pariticipant should describe the conference briefly such as conference name, start date, end date and venue.

** Note: Verbal Note is a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia to the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs stating that an organization/company has officially requested for visa.

Duration and Validity

The conference visa is a 30 (thirty)-day single entry visa whose validity starts from the intended date of entry to Ethiopia.

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Fee

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- The conference visa application fee is USD 32.

- The payment should be made online.

Apply Here For Conference Visa

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Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa

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Foreign business firm employment visa is issued to foreign nationals to be employed by business firms owned or operated by foreigners.

Requirements

1. Written application letter by the employing company

2. Business license of the employing company

3. TIN certificate of the employing company

4. Copy of the passport of the applicant which has 6 month validity

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for foreign business firm employment visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The validity of the foreign business firm employment visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.

Fees

• Single Entry for one month USD 42

Applicants must complete the payment online.

Apply Here For Work Visa

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Government Employment Visa

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Government employment visa issued to foreign nationals to be employed by different Ethiopian Government institutions/ministries.

Requirements

1. Written application letter by relevant government institution/ministries.

2. Copy of the passport of the visa applicant which has 6 month validity.

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for gover

nment employment visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The validity of the government employment visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia. Travelers can request for extension before the visa expires by going in person to the Head Office of The Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

Fees

• For single entry visa for one month, the fee is USD 32.

Applicants must complete the payment online.

Apply Here For Government Employment Visa

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Journalist Visa

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Journalist visa is issued to foreign journalists, media professionals or film makers, coming to cover events, reports for media organizations or produce films, TV or written material of various kinds.

Requirements

1. Copy of the passport of the applicant which has 6 month validity

2. Support letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Government Communication of Ethiopia

3. Written application by the inviting institution

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for journalist visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The validity of the journalist visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.

Fees

• Single Entry for one month USD 42

Applicants must complete the payment online.

Apply Here For Journalist Visa

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Ethiopian Private Firm Visa

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Private Firm Visa is issued to foreign nationals coming for employment or other short term assignments with Ethiopian Business Firms.

Eligibility

Applying Business Firm should be owned by Ethiopian.

Requirements

1. Written application letter of the Business firm

2. Busines license of the Applying Business firm

3. Copy of the passport for whom visa is requested which has 6 month validity

4. Contractual agreement between the inviting company and to whom Visa is applied for

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for tourist visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The Validity of the Visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia Travelers can request for extension before the visa expires by going in person to the Head Office of The Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

Fees

• Single Entry for one month USD 32

Applicants must complete the payment online.

Note: Travelers who can’t complete visa applications online for some reason can still apply for visa on arrival provided that they are eligible. The eligibility for e-Visa applies the same for Visa-On-Arrival.

Apply Here For a Private Employment Visa

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International Organizations/Embassies Work Visa

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International organizations/embassies work visa is issued to foreign nationals with ordinary passports who are invited by international organizations or embassies resident in Ethiopian for different work purposes.

Requirements

1. Copy of written application letter by the organization/embassies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

2. Note verbale from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

3. Copy of the passport of the applicant which has 6 month validity.

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for international organizations/embassies work visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The validity of the international organizations/embassies work visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.

Fees

• For Single Entry Visa for one month, the fee is USD 52.

Applicants must complete the payment online.

Apply Here For International Organization/Embassy Work Visa

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Government Institutions Short Task Visa

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Government institutions short task visa is issued to foreign nationals who are coming to accomplish certain tasks for government institutions for a short period of time.

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Requirements

1. Written application letter by relevant government institution.

2. Copy of the passport of the applicant which has 6 month validity.

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for government institutions short task visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The validity of the government institutions short task visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.

Fees

• Single Entry for one month USD 22.

• Multiple Entry for 3 month and 6 month USD 82 and USD 122 respectively.

Applicants must complete the payment online.

Apply Here For Government Short Task Visa

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Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa

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Eligibility

An NGO visa is a visa issued to those foreign nationals who are invited by NGOs operating in Ethiopia for Employment or short term assignments.

Requirements

• Official application or request letter written by the inviting organization and addressed to the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs of Ethiopia.

• Copy of Organizational Registration License of the inviting NGO.

• Passport-size photo of the traveller.

• Passport copy of the traveller which is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for tourist visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.

Duration and Validity

The Validity of the visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.

Fees

• The application fee for 30 days single-entry NGO Visa is USD 62.

• Applicants must complete the payment online.

Apply Here For NGO Visa

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For Ethiopian Citizens - Passports

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New Passport

New Passport applicants must fullfill the following requirements.

1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.

2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:

Additional Information FAQ page

3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:

Click to see the full service fee list

4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:

Guidelines

5.After you apply for the service, you must print the last page which has your appointment date and time. Take the paper with you to your appointment.

6.When you come to the office on the appointment date, you need to make sure that:

a. You have the appointment paper with you.

b. You have the cash for service fee. Payment cash only.

c. You have all the original required documents with you. These should be the same documents that you uploaded with the Online Application.

d. If you were applying as an applicant, you should come yourself. Proxy Applications are not allowed and acceptable. If you were applying as a guardian or parent, you have to accompany the child/toddler.

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Renew Passport

Passport renewal applicants must fullfill the following requirements.

1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.

2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:

Additional Information FAQ page

3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:

Click to see the full service fee list

4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:

Guidelines

5.After you apply for the service, you must print the last page which has your appointment date and time. Take the paper with you to your appointment.

6.When you come to the office on the appointment date, you need to make sure that:

a. You have the appointment paper with you.

b. You have the cash for service fee. Payment cash only.

c. You have all the original required documents with you. These should be the same documents that you uploaded with the Online Application.

d. If you were applying as an applicant, you should come yourself. Proxy Applications are not allowed and acceptable. If you were applying as a guardian or parent, you have to accompany the child/toddler.

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Change Passport Information

Change Passport Information applicants must fullfill the following requirements.

1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.

2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:

Additional Information FAQ page

3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:

Click to see the full service fee list

4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:

Guidelines

5.After you apply for the service, you must print the last page which has your appointment date and time. Take the paper with you to your appointment.

6.When you come to the office on the appointment date, you need to make sure that:

a. You have the appointment paper with you.

b. You have the cash for service fee. Payment cash only.

c. You have all the original required documents with you. These should be the same documents that you uploaded with the Online Application.

d. If you were applying as an applicant, you should come yourself. Proxy Applications are not allowed and acceptable. If you were applying as a guardian or parent, you have to accompany the child/toddler.

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Lost or Stolen Passport

Lost or Stolen Passport applicants must fullfill the following requirements.

1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.

2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:

Additional Information FAQ page

3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:

Click to see the full service fee list

4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:

Guidelines

5.After you apply for the service, you must print the last page which has your appointment date and time. Take the paper with you to your appointment.

6.When you come to the office on the appointment date, you need to make sure that:

a. You have the appointment paper with you.

b. You have the cash for service fee. Payment cash only.

c. You have all the original required documents with you. These should be the same documents that you uploaded with the Online Application.

d. If you were applying as an applicant, you should come yourself. Proxy Applications are not allowed and acceptable. If you were applying as a guardian or parent, you have to accompany the child/toddler.

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Miscellaneous/Further Information for Foreigners and Locals

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1. Request for a passport:

Within the Country - Residence ID from a kebele

Outside the Country (from Ethiopian embassies) - A previous Ethiopian passport

Children under 18 - Birth certificate of the child

- Parent or Guardian's Passport or Residence ID from a kebele

2. Laissez-Passé

This is a one-way document given to those who are out of the country but who have lost their passport and wish to return to Ethiopia. It is given after writing a letter to the Mission confirming the loss of the passport.

3. Ethiopian Country of Origin identity

For those who wish to obtain an ID as a person of Ethiopian Origin it is necessary to produce evidence of Ethiopian citizenship prior to obtaining his/her foreign citizenship. Alternatively it is necessary to produce evidence that one of their parents, grand-parents or great grand-parents were Ethiopian. In accordance with the Proclamation 270/2002 and Regulation 19/2014, an ID can be given within the country or at a Mission outside Ethiopia.

4. Investment Visa (I.V)

An Investment visa can be given when an Embassy has verified that the applicant is an investor. The Investment Commission may also give the visa when requested. Visas can be employees of:

• Government offices (G.V)

• Private enterprises (P.E)

• Foreign investors (W.V)

• NGOs (N.V)

• Media (Journalists) (J.V)

• Those attending conferences or workshops (C.V)

• For various government tasks/duties (G.I.V)

• For members of continental and international bodies (R.I)

When a request any of the above type of visas is submitted in advance to the Immigration Head office, the permit is given through the office of the embassy or mission abroad. If the visitor comes from a country where there is no mission, the request must be conveyed or submitted to the Head Office and visa or permit issued here.

In addition, if the request is made through a Note Verbal by a country which has a bilateral visa agreement with Ethiopia, the embassy or missions can give the visa. Otherwise, only the Head Office can issue the visa.

Places where Services are provided:

In foreign countries: Ethiopian Missions in countries where these are available

Within the country: The Immigration and Citizenship Department in Ethiopia

In Regions: at the Immigration branch offices in Bahr Dar, Mekele, Dire Dawa, Jimma, Hawassa and Dessie.

Entrance Ports: At International Airports at

• Addis Ababa Bole Immigration Department

• Dire Dawa Airport Immigration Branch office

Land Ports: at Moyale, Dewelle, Galafi, Metema, Togo Wichale, Teferi Ber, Humera Omorate and Dolo Odo.

All foreign nationals who want or need to access immigration services at these land ports are required to obtain visas from Ethiopian missions in advance. If they want to leave the country, they are required to have a valid visa or residence permit.

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