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።
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.
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:
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
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In 1817, Emperor Yohannes put an end to the outdated system and made it a requirement for all foreigners to first be allowed entry, only through the Emperor’s approval.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:
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.
Citizens of all countries in the globe are eligible for tourist visa provided that the below requirements are fulfilled:
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).
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.
* 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).
Single Entry 90 days (maximum duration) 72 USD
* Applicants must complete the payment online.
* Travelers who can’t make the payment online can get visa on arrival provided that they are eligible.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
| Inviting/Hosting Company Category | Description | Required Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Any legal private company registered and based in Ethiopia | * Copy of application letter written by the inviting company to the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs of Ethiopia. |
* Copy of Business License(renewed for the fiscal year) of the inviting company.
* Copy of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate (renewed for the fiscal year) of the inviting company.
* Copy of invitation letter *
- Copy of invitation letter *
- Copy of registration license of the organization.
- Copy of invitation letter *
*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.
The conference visa is a 30 (thirty)-day single entry visa whose validity starts from the intended date of entry to Ethiopia.
- The conference visa application fee is USD 32.
- The payment should be made online.
Foreign business firm employment visa is issued to foreign nationals to be employed by business firms owned or operated by foreigners.
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
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.
The validity of the foreign business firm employment visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.
Applicants must complete the payment online.
Government employment visa issued to foreign nationals to be employed by different Ethiopian Government institutions/ministries.
2. Copy of the passport of the visa applicant which has 6 month validity.
nment employment visa is 3 days. So, travelers should submit their application at least 3 days before their estimated date of arrival.
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).
Applicants must complete the payment online.
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.
2. Support letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Government Communication of Ethiopia
3. Written application by the inviting institution
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.
Applicants must complete the payment online.
Private Firm Visa is issued to foreign nationals coming for employment or other short term assignments with Ethiopian Business Firms.
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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
The validity of the international organizations/embassies work visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.
Applicants must complete the payment online.
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.
2. Copy of the passport of the applicant which has 6 month validity.
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.
The validity of the government institutions short task visa starts counting from the date intended to enter Ethiopia.
• Multiple Entry for 3 month and 6 month USD 82 and USD 122 respectively.
Applicants must complete the payment online.
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.
• 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.
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.
• Applicants must complete the payment online.
1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.
2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:
3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:
4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:
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.
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Applicant ID
2.2 For Government Employees/Civil Servant: Organization ID
2.3 Supporting & Legal Documents for Urgent Services (If Urgent Chosen)
2.4 Must upload all the necessary documents, photo, and fingerprints
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Guardian/Parent ID/Passport
2.2 Previous passport
2.3 Supporting & Legal Documents for Urgent Services ( If Urgent Chosen)
2.4 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints.
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Previous Passport
2.2 Judiciary Documents Specifying Adoption
2.3 Judiciary Documents for the Change of Information
2.4 Legal Documents from the Ministry of Women Affairs
2.5 Adoption Certificate
2.6 Birth Certificate
2.7 Birth Certificate (If your date of birth has changed)
2.8 Supporting Legal Documents for Urgent Services (If Urgent Chosen)
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.
2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:
3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:
4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:
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.
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Applicant ID
2.2 For Government Employees/Civil Servant: Organization ID
2.3 Supporting & Legal Documents for Urgent Services (If Urgent Chosen)
2.4 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos, and fingerprints
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Guardian/Parent ID/Passport
2.2 Previous passport
2.3 Supporting & Legal Documents for Urgent Services ( If Urgent Chosen)
2.4 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints.
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Previous Passport
2.2 Judiciary Documents Specifying Adoption
2.3 Judiciary Documents for the Change of Information
2.4 Legal Documents from the Ministry of Women Affairs
2.5 Adoption Certificate
2.6 Birth Certificate
2.7 Birth Certificate (If your date of birth has changed)
2.8 Supporting Legal Documents for Urgent Services (If Urgent Chosen)
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.
2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:
3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:
4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:
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.
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Previous Passport
2.2 Judiciary Document for the change of information
2.3 Applicant ID/Employee ID (For civil servants)
2.4 Birth Certificate (If the change is your date of birth)
2.2 Supporting and legal documents for Urgent Services (if Urgent Chosen)
2.3 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints.
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring the printed form to the branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Guardian/Parent ID/Passport
2.2 Previous Passport
2.3 Judiciary Documents for the Change of Information
2.4 Birth Certificate (if the change is your date of birth)
2.5 Supporting legal documents for Urgent Services (if Urgent Chosen)
2.6 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints.
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to the branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Previous Passport
2.2 Judiciary documents specifying adoption
2.3 Judiciary documents for the change of information
2.4 Legal documents from the Ministry of Women Affairs
2.5 Adoption Certificate
2.6 Birth Certificate
2.7 Birth Certificate (If the hange is your date of birth)
2.8 Supporting legal documents for Urgent Services (if Urgent Chosen)
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (the printed form will have your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to the branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
1. Prepare all the required documents for this service.
2.If you are applying for Urgent Services, you must read:
3. Check the service fee for your preferred services here:
4. Scan all the required documents and resize them according to the guidelines. For more information click here:
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.
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Judiciary document for proving the loss
2.2 Applicant ID
2.3 For Government Employees/Civil Servant: Organization ID
2.4 Supporting and legal documents for Urgent Services (if Urgent Chosen)
2.5 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints.
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (on the printed form you will find your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to the branch office on the appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Guardian/Parent ID/Passport
2.2 Birth Certificate
2.3 Judiciary document for proving the loss
2.3 Supporting and legal documents for Urgent Services (if Urgent Chosen)
2.4 Must upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints.
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (on the printed form you will find your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to the branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
2. Attach the following documents:
2.1 Birth Certificate
2.2 Legal Judiciary adoption certification
2.3 Judiciary document proving the loss
2.4 Adopters ID Card/Passport
2.5 Supporting & legal Documents for Urgent Services (if Urgent Chosen)
2.6 Must Upload all the necessary documents, photos and fingerprints
3. Submit the form
4. Print the form (on the printed form you will find your batch number, appointment date and time)
5. Bring printed form to the branch office on appointment date
6. Must pay the Service fee (cash only)
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.
