Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia · residence general · Leads to settlement
Residence Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Guidance updated 10 September 2026. Full-review date shown above.
Residence visa route for foreign nationals entering Ethiopia to stay for a fixed period and build toward permanent residency.
- Processing time
- The official Residence Visa page does not give a route-specific processing estimate. Confirm timing with the eVisa service before making travel commitments.
- Government fees
- The official fee table lists USD 202 for a single-entry 30-day Residence Visa and USD 502 for a multiple-entry 90-day Residence Visa. The listed multiple-entry 90-day extension costs USD 302.
- Typical duration
- The official fee table lists single entry for up to 30 days and multiple entry for up to 90 days. Visa validity starts on the intended entry date.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
Residence visa route for foreign nationals entering Ethiopia to stay for a fixed period and build toward permanent residency. Guidance updated 10 September 2026. Costs, application stages and eligibility conditions are set out with their sources below.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/ethiopia/residence-visa#answer
What is the Residence Visa in Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia?
Residence Visa is an unsponsored Ethiopia route. Indicative government fees are The official fee table lists USD 202 for a single-entry 30-day Residence Visa and USD 502 for a multiple-entry 90-day Residence Visa. The listed multiple-entry 90-day extension costs USD 302; indicative processing time is The official Residence Visa page does not give a route-specific processing estimate. Confirm timing with the eVisa service before making travel commitments; typical duration is The official fee table lists single entry for up to 30 days and multiple entry for up to 90 days. Visa validity starts on the intended entry date. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Primary guidance checked with Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia on 10 September 2026.
Overview
The Residence Visa is for foreign nationals entering Ethiopia to stay for a fixed length of time and, after some time, obtain permanent residency. The official page lists a 90-day multiple-entry IMV option and requires a passport, photo, prior IMV or residence-ID evidence where applicable, plus authenticated birth or marriage certificates for under-age or marriage-based evidence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant is entering Ethiopia to stay for a fixed period and may later seek permanent residency.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- ✓The file includes prior IMV, extension or residence ID evidence where applicable.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- ✓Under-age or marriage-linked evidence is authenticated where required.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- ✓The passport is valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
Common blockers
- !No prior IMV, extension or residence-ID evidence where the case depends on it.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- !Birth or marriage certificates are not authenticated where required.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- !The applicant is actually entering for work, study, tourism or investment and should use the more specific route.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Recent passport-sized photograph.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- ·Passport valid for at least 6 months from intended entry.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- ·Copy of IMV visa, recent extension, last extension or residence ID where applicable.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
- ·Authenticated birth certificate for under-age evidence or authenticated marriage certificate for marriage-linked evidence.Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the Residence Visa is the correct route rather than a work, study, tourist or investment visa.
Build the evidence pack
Collect passport, photo and any IMV, extension or residence-ID evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Authenticate birth or marriage evidence where the case relies on those documents.
After approval
Apply through the official eVisa portal and manage any extension through the ICS process before expiry.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Residence Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Residence Visa route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residence Visa.
Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia · verified
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Related routes
Investment Visa
Visa for foreign nationals already engaged in investment activity in Ethiopia or potential investors coming to invest.
Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa
Employment visa for foreign nationals entering Ethiopia to work for business firms owned or operated by foreigners.
Student Visa
Short student visa for foreign nationals entering Ethiopia temporarily to undertake a course of study.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ethiopia's Residence Visa a permanent residence grant?+
No. The official page describes it as a route for entering to stay for a fixed period and obtain permanent residency after some time.
How long is the Residence Visa listed for?+
The official fee table lists single entry for up to 30 days and multiple entry for up to 90 days. Validity starts on the intended entry date. An extension must be requested before expiry; the official page directs applicants to the ICS Head Office in Addis Ababa.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in EthiopiaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Immigration and Citizenship Service of Ethiopia
Last checked: 10 September 2026