Employment visa for a foreign national hired by a business firm owned or operated by foreigners in Ethiopia.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Eastern Africa · Immigration
Ethiopia
Ethiopia sits in Eastern Africa. Its immigration system runs 23 distinct routes — led by short stay & visit, work and investment, each set out in official law. 20 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 23across 12 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 20 of 23cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Short stay & visit4 of the 23 routes — see them under Short stay & visit below
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Capital
- Addis Ababa
- Population
- 135,472,051
- Official language
- Amharic
- Currency
- ETB
- Time zone
- UTC+03:00
Source-cited pathways
Immigration routes
All 23 routes, grouped by purpose — 20 of 23 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
3 routes
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Employment or short-assignment visa for a foreign national invited by an NGO operating in Ethiopia.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Investment
3 routes
For a foreign national investing over USD 10 million, or over USD 5 million in qualifying economic-development activity under special circumstances.
Official government source: hopr.gov.et · checked 2026-07-29
Visa for an existing or prospective foreign investor supported by the Ethiopian Investment Commission and an inviting organisation.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
For a foreign national who owns or possesses immovable property in Ethiopia in accordance with the relevant laws.
Official government source: hopr.gov.et · checked 2026-07-29
Business & self-employment
1 route
Visa for a foreign national entering Ethiopia for business or market research.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Talent & merit
1 route
Visa for performers, production personnel or support staff working on film, television or live productions.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-08-03
Study
2 routes
For a foreign national coming to Ethiopia for a temporary internship.
Official government source: hopr.gov.et · checked 2026-07-29
Temporary student visa for a full-time course at a recognised Ethiopian educational institution.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Residence-based status
2 routes
Permanent-residence route for a recognised refugee who consents to local integration after a protracted period in Ethiopia.
Official source of the governing body: help.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-27
Fixed-term residence visa for a foreign national entering Ethiopia on a pathway intended to lead to permanent residence over time.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Cultural, religious & volunteer
1 route
Visa for a foreign national entering Ethiopia to take part in religious activities at the invitation of a religious entity.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Short stay & visit
4 routes
Single-entry electronic tourist visa available to citizens of all countries for tourism or other non-business purposes.
Tourist visa issued on arrival to a passport holder from a nationality in Ethiopia's published eligibility list.
Visa-free entry for a Kenyan or Djiboutian citizen holding a valid passport.
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Humanitarian protection
2 routes
Emergency-limited asylum registration process with RRS and UNHCR; general new registration remains suspended, with current exceptions at designated border points.
Refugee Status DeterminationUnknown
Government-run refugee-status process using prima-facie recognition for designated cohorts and individual assessment for other nationalities.
Official source of the governing body: help.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-27
Medical treatment
1 route
Visa for a foreign national entering Ethiopia to receive medical treatment from an inviting health organisation.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Sports
1 route
Visa for a foreign athlete entering Ethiopia for a sports event or training.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Other & special
2 routes
For a foreign national leaving Ethiopia.
Official government source: hopr.gov.et · checked 2026-07-29
Institutional visa for a foreign national carrying out a short task for an Ethiopian government office or institution.
Official government source: evisa.gov.et · checked 2026-07-27
Official sources
- e-Visa Official PortalGovernment
- Ethiopian Investment CommissionGovernment
- Work Permit | ExpatriateGovernment
- Ethiopian Investment CommissionGovernment
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