Ethiopia work visa: employment visas by employer

WV, Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa: for people employed by business firms owned or operated by foreigners. PE, Ethiopian Private Business Firm Work Visa: for employment or short assignments with Ethiopian private firms. NV, NGO Work Visa: for people invited by NGOs operating in Ethiopia, for employment or short assignments.

GV, Government Employment Visa: for people employed by Ethiopian government institutions or ministries. GIV, Government Institutions Short Task Visa: for short tasks carried out for government institutions. RI, International Organizations/Embassies Work Visa: for holders of ordinary passports invited by international organisations or embassies resident in Ethiopia.

Every category needs a passport valid for six months from entry and a recent photo, plus a reference code from the employer, which must first be registered and approved on the portal. For the WV the portal lists a support letter from the inviting organisation not older than one week, a letter from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs confirming that a work permit has been granted, the company’s business licence and its TIN certificate.

For the PE: an official application letter from the employer to ICS, the business licence, the TIN certificate and the employment contract. For the NV: a support letter not older than one week and, for relief organisations, the renewed recognition certificate and the TIN certificate. For the GIV: a support letter from the government office not older than one week. For the GV: an official letter from the government body to ICS. For the RI: a formal letter from the organisation or embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry’s note verbale. The ICS NGO page also asks for a police clearance from the country of origin and proof of qualifications.

WV: USD 402 for a single entry of 30 days or USD 1,002 for multiple entry over 90 days; extensions USD 502 (30 days) and USD 1,502 (90 days). NV: USD 202 for 30 days or USD 602 for 90 days; extension USD 302 (30 days). GIV: USD 102 for 30 days, USD 152 for 90 days or USD 402 for 6 months; extensions USD 152 and USD 252.

PE and GV: USD 32 for a single entry of 30 days. RI: USD 52 for a single entry of one month. Validity starts on the intended entry date. Fees are paid by card on the portal and are not refunded.

For longer employment, ICS issues a Temporary ID. The employer, which must hold a valid trade certificate, writes to ICS; the file includes the trade certificate, a passport copy, the valid visa and the visa stamp. Employees of companies also need a letter to ICS from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and shareholders a letter from the Investment Commission. NGO staff use the ICS NGO work permit, which runs for the duration of the NGO contract.

With an employer letter and a valid work visa, ICS can also issue the five-year renewable Permanent Residence ID. Renewals require proof of employment or financial means and proof of continuous residence.

Employment visas can be extended before they expire. Short extensions of 1 to 15 days are made online and longer ones in person at the ICS head office in Addis Ababa. Overstaying leads to fines and legal penalties.

The portal adds that holders whose residence ID has expired should apply only for the same business visa they held before, naming the NV, GIV and WV, and should upload a copy of the last visa or extension.