Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 ▲ | None | One | 3 Months |
| B-2 ▲ | None | One | 3 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| C-4/D-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | One | 3 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | One | 3 Months |
| D | None | Mulitiple | 24 Months |
| E-1 2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| E-2 2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | One | 3 Months |
| F-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| F-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| I | None | One | 3 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| L-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| M-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| M-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| N-8 | None | One | 3 Months |
| N-9 | None | One | 3 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| R-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 3 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-5 | None | One | 3 Months |
| V-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| V-2 | None | One | 3 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | One | 3 Months 8 |
▲.
Note: Bearers of diplomatic or official passports are entitled to visas valid for
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Applications |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| B-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
In Ethiopia, the government does not automatically register births, marriages, or deaths. Many people, especially in rural areas, register these events late, and it is not necessarily a fraud indicator. Most Ethiopians only request these documents when applying for government services or applying for a visa to the U.S. or another country.
Authorities rarely check if the information on the documents is true. Sometimes, people can pay a fee to obtain official documents with false information from the local civil registries. In 2017, the Ethiopian government launched a centralized digital civil registry database.
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa only accepts civil registry documents for births, marriages and deaths in the standardized national format. Only these versions can be verified. These official documents may have small differences in languages used, in addition to Amharic, and a regional flag on the document header. Certificates and letters that show someone is not married do not have a standard format. These are issued by the local social court and/or the local judicial office, except in Addis Ababa City and Somali region where the non-marital certificates are issued through the local civil registries.
Availability: Available only to those born in Ethiopia.
Fees:
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: Civil Registration and Residency Service Agency (CRRSA); Vital Events Registration (VERA) Offices; or Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS). Large and medium-sized government health centers can issue national standard birth certificates for children born within their facilities.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The background is light gray with a generic watermark and security threads. Most certificates have an indigo-blue colored circular wet seal while others may have dry seal stamp impressions, depending on where they were issued. Ethiopian and regional flags are in both upper corners for all regions except in Addis Ababa City Administration, which has only the Ethiopian flag centered on the top of the certificates. All national-standard birth certificates have a thick blue border.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA office
Registration Criteria: Since 2017, birth records are maintained at the regional level. For children up to 18 years old, parents may register their child’s birth in the local district CRRSA/VERA offices, upon presentation of a hospital certificate, baptismal certificate, or school attendance document. Refugees may present their RRS proof of registration.
For Ethiopian children not yet registered and residing in a different location than where he/she was born, or for any foreign national born in Ethiopia, birth registration is possible in the regional capital of the birth or residence location.
According to Proclamation No. 1370/2025 on civil and family registration system, Article 18 states that births must be registered within 90 days of birth.
Procedure for Obtaining: Presentation of a hospital certificate, baptismal certificate, school attendance document or an identity card are sufficient for issuance of birth certificates.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa no longer accepts birth certificates issued in local formats after 2017.
Exceptions: An Ethiopian citizen who resides abroad and has not changed citizenship could delegate a family member, with a power of attorney, to obtain a birth certificate or replacement from the family’s residential local district.
Former Ethiopians, who have changed citizenship, must submit copies of their current passport, visa or residence permit to obtain the birth certificate or its replacement through a delegated family member, with a power of attorney.
Comments: For non-Ethiopian citizens born in Ethiopia, new or replacement birth certificates are available only to individuals physically in Ethiopia.
Available: Available.
Fees:
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: CRRSA/VERA office
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The background is light gray with a generic watermark and security threads. Most certificates have an indigo-blue colored circular wet seal while others may have dry seal stamp impressions. Ethiopian and regional flags in both upper corners for all regions except Addis Ababa City Administration, which has only Ethiopian flag upper center of the certificates. All national-standard death certificates have a thick dark brown line border.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA offices
Registration Criteria: If the death occurred at home, acknowledgement of dwellers association (“Eder”) and a certificate from the church or Sharia court indicating where the body is buried. If the death occurred at a hospital, a death confirmation letter issued by the hospital is required to obtain a final death certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: Submit the above required documents and fee to the CRRSA/VERA Offices.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa does not accept interim hospital death certificates as proof of death. Only Death certificates obtained from the CRRSA/VERA Offices are acceptable.
Exceptions: Non-Ethiopian citizens, including refugees, must submit passport and visa or residence permit, and RRS proof of Registration in addition to interim hospital death certificate for issuance of the CRRSA or VERA Offices.
Available: There are four types of legally recognized marriages in Ethiopia: civil, religious (both Christian and Muslim), customary and common law. Civil, religious and customary marriages each have their own certificate. The celebrant then uses that certificate to obtain a National Standard Format Marriage Certificate, which is the only type of marriage certificate acceptable for visa purposes.
Fees:
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: CRRSA/VERA Offices
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The background is light gray with a generic watermark and security threads. The majority of the certificates have Indigo blue colored circular wet seal while others may have indented dry seal stamp impressions. Ethiopian and regional flags in both upper corners, for all regions except Addis Ababa City Administration, which has an Ethiopian flag centered on the certificate’s upper margin. All national standard marriage certificates have a thick dark green line border.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA Officer
Registration Criteria: To register a marriage, both the bride and groom must go to the woreda office in person. They must bring their IDs and two witnesses each. The marriage will be registered in the logbook. If the couple was married in a traditional or religious ceremony, the bride and groom may register and get Civil Marriage Certificates at woreda office. Couples in a common law relationship usually do not have a marriage certificate. However, according to Article 96 of the Revised Family Code, the law may recognize their marriage if they see themselves as spouses, live together as spouses, and their family and community treat them as a married couple.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain a marriage certificate, submit a request to the CRRSA/VERA Offices where the marriage was registered. The marriage certificate is available to those physically present at the CRRSA/VERA woreda office. Individuals who have sharia court marriages may obtain a civil marriage certificate at the CRRSA/VERA woreda office upon presentation of a sharia court marriage certificate. If unable to be physically present at the CRRSA/VERA woreda office, the couple may designate, through the sharia court, a family member or representative to collect the marriage certificate.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Prior to 2017, marriage certificates were issued at the district level and had no standard format. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa does not accept these alternate documents, or any religious or traditional marriage certificates, issued by those authorities. They would accept a court decree for a common law marriage, but that is exceedingly rare.
Exceptions: Foreigners married in Ethiopia must submit copies of their passport and visa/residence permit. No verification of previous marriages is made at the district-level, regardless of an individual’s nationality.
Comments: The date of marriage registration and date of marriage certificate issuance appear on two different lines on the certificate. The marriage registration date is the date the marriage took place. It is common for the marriage certificate to be issued after that date.
Available
Fees:
Document Name: Divorce Certificate
Issuing Authority: CRRSA/VERA Offices
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The background is colorless with a watermark and security features. Majority of certificates have indigo blue circular wet seal while others may have indented dry seal stamp impressions. Ethiopian and regional flags in both upper corners, for all regions except Addis Ababa, which has an Ethiopian flag centered on the certificate’s upper margin.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA Officer
Registration Criteria: To obtain a national standard format divorce certificate, the applicants must present a divorce decree from civil court or sharia court to CRRSA/VERA Offices.
Procedure for Obtaining: Presentation of court decree (sharia or civil court) and fee to CRRSA/VERA Offices.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Obtaining a divorce decree is a lengthy process in Ethiopia. Each party must have two appointed family arbiters, acceptable to the court. The priority of the family arbiter is to attempt to reunite the husband and wife through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). If this is not possible, they will then negotiate agreements for property settlement and child custody. The arbiters must present the agreement to the court for a final decision. Upon presentation of the court’s ruling and a copy of the judgments signed by all parties involved, the CRRSA/VERA offices will issue a divorce certificate. The final court decision date is the same as the certificate’s registration date. The certificate’s issuance date is the date the CRRSA/VERA Office issued the certificate.
Available
Fees:
Document Name: Non-Marital Certificate
Issuing Authority: Addis Ababa City Administration and Somalia Regional State issue non – martial certificates by the local CRRSA/VERA offices. Other regional states have different procedures for issuing non-marital certificates and letters – they are typically issued by the kebele’s social court.
Seal(s)/ Color/Format: Background color is typically gray and circular wet seal. The seal’s color may vary slightly according to a regional state’s government structure and color preference: typically indigo, blue or light green. CRRSA/VERA-issued certificates should have the Ethiopian and regional flags on both upper corners, and a single centered Ethiopian flag for Addis Ababa.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA Expert/Officer or kebele’s social court
Registration Criteria: To get a non-marital certificate, the applicant must bring three witnesses to a local social court, or CRRS/VERA office in the case of Addis Ababa or Somali region, where the individual resides.
Procedure for Obtaining: There is no procedure for obtaining.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Social Court Letter
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Verification of these documents is challenging as it requires in-person/ physical site visits to the woredas where the social court of the registrant's very local level/ located, but non-marital certificates from can be verified in-person or through distance. Documents are not verified at either the social courts or the CRRSA/VERA office. It is not uncommon for a non-marital certificate to be issued even when the members of the social court (or CRRSA/VERA office) know that the individual is married due to their very local level issuances and relationships that may exist at that level. Additionally, there is a disclaimer on most non-marital certificates that the single status of the non-marital certificate applies only to Ethiopia. Issuance does not consider if the individual is married in another country.
Available: Available only to those present in Ethiopia.
Fees:
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: CRRSA/VERA Offices
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The background is light gray with a generic watermark and security threads. Most certificates have an indigo-blue colored circular wet seal while others may have dry seal stamp impressions, depending on where they were issued. Ethiopian and regional flags are in both upper corners for all regions except in Addis Ababa City Administration, which has only the Ethiopian flag centered on the top of the certificate. All national standard adoption certificates have a thick pink border and the child’s photo glued or stapled in the upper left corner.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA Expert/Officer
Registration Criteria: The registrant needs to present an adoption court decree to the CRRSA/VERA Office before the office issues an Adoption Certificate based on the court decision.
Procedure for Obtaining: Submit the required court documents and fee to the Woreda CRRSA/VERA office .
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: There are three documents required for any adoption in Ethiopia: adoption agreement, adoption court decree and adoption certificate. The applicant should be able to present all three documents; all three documents should include the complete names of the adopting parents. The final court decision date is the same as the certificate’s registration date. The certificate’s issuance date is the date the CRRSA/VERA Office issued the certificate.
There are two types of ID Card: 1) the traditional Resident Woreda/Kebele ID; 2) and as of January 2025, the FaydaID, which will gradually replace the need for the Resident Woreda/Kebele ID.
Available: Resident Woreda/Kebele ID are issued to residents 18 years and older; FaydaID registration is required for all individuals five years old and above.
Fees: 200ETB for the Resident Woreda/Kebele ID; and no charge for the FaydaID.
Document Name: Kebele ID ; and “FaydaID” or “OneID”.
Issuing Authority: CRRSA or Kebele’s Administration Offices for the Resident Woreda/Kebele ID; and various registration locations for FaydaID, detailed on id.gov.et/locations, including Ethio-Telecom center, banks, and select government offices.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Kebele cards issued in Addis Ababa are hard plastic or laminated cards with blue printing on a white background. Kebele IDs from all other locations are small, stapled paper booklets with the cover having a specific color depending on the issuing region. These booklets may be completed by hand or typewritten and include the individual’s photo. Booklets may be in Amharic only or the local regional language. The FaydaID is a QR-code-based document that may be presented as a QR code or a plastic laminated card with a photo and biographic and nationality information of the holder. As of 2025, FaydaID services are in the process of being expanded across the country.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: CRRSA/VERA Expert/Officer for the Kebele ID, and The National ID Program (NIDP) for the FaydaID.
Registration Criteria: For persons 18 years and older who reside in the kebele, their parents or any household member can register for the Kebele ID; children five years old and older must register for the FaydaID.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain a Kebele ID, the requester must submit a birth certificate, or baptismal certificate and hospital record. Notation of issuance of the card goes into the family’s paper file in the CRRSA/VERA office; whereas a FaydaID unique 12-digit identification number (FIN) is issued via SMS upon presentation at an official registration center of documents (birth certificate and kebele ID) and biometrics (photograph, fingerprint, and in some cases, iris scan). The FIN holder can then request a physical card through Ethiopost or Ethio Telecom.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: Kebele IDs are valid for four years. If an individual changes kebeles, that individual must seek permission from the old kebele before registering in the new kebele. The FaydaID is valid for life.
Comments: Officials do very little to check the identity of someone registering for a FaydaID. They usually accept the person’s statement about their date of birth and nationality without checking further. Because of this, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa only accepts the FaydaID as secondary form of identification.
Available: Available for Ethiopia citizens and foreigners who work and reside in Ethiopia.
Fees:
Document Name: Certificate of Good Conduct
Issuing Authority: Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau Forensic Investigation Deputy Main Department (Note: “Deputy” is often misspelled as “Duputy”).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White paper with the federal police stamp and logo.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Commander for fingerprint and criminal data record investigation, Ethiopian Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau.
Registration Criteria:
Procedure for Obtaining: Submit the required documents and fees.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: If an applicant is outside of Ethiopia, they must go to police department where they live (country or region) and give fingerprints with standardized format. That police department should send the fingerprints, copy of passport, and one 5x5 current photograph to the Ethiopian Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau Forensic Investigation Deputy Main Department. The forensic department will check if there is any criminal activity. If the applicant is clear, the Forensic Department will issue the standard certificate of good conduct.
If the applicant is in Ethiopia, they must apply in person with the individual reporting to the police department in his/her kebele. If an individual committed a crime in Ethiopia, outside of Addis Ababa, that region’s police department must report the crime to the Ethiopian Federal Police for inclusion into their criminal database.
Comments: The Forensic Department of the Ethiopian Federal Police will verify photocopies or digitally transmitted copies.
Unavailable.
Available: To a person released from prison.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Release paper for detained or parole from prison.
Issuing Authority: Federal prison commission and Regional States prison commission.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special Seal(s)/Color/Format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Persons receive an Official Release Record when released from prison.
Procedure for Obtaining: Persons receive an Official Release Record when released from prison.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: If the person is pardoned, the issuing authority is the Office of the President.
Comments: Federal prison commission and Regional States prison commission issue parole and release records.
Available: Available only for those serving in the military.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Military ID Card
Issuing Authority: Ethiopian Ministry of Defense, Personnel Department
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Color varies depending on year the ID card was issued. It should include an indigo blue-colored circular wet seal. Ethiopian flag and army emblem in both upper corners .
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Available only for those who serve in the military.
Procedure for Obtaining: The individual must be actively serving in the military.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Travel Documents
Available
Types Available: Ethiopia has four types of passports and Issued by Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS). The Ethiopian government issued re-styled passports in early 2025.
Fees:
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s) / color / format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Physical presence of the applicant at Citizenship and Immigration Services (ICS).
Procedure for Obtaining: The applicant must submit an ID, birth certificate and fee to Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS).
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: In February 2025, Ethiopia introduced a new e-passport which fully complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards with enhanced security features. Older passports remain in use until they expire.
Comments: The older versions remain valid until their stated expiration date.
Types Available: Ordinary passport [burgundy or dark blue (2025 version) cover], service passport [dark green or burgundy (2025 version) cover], diplomatic passport [dark blue or dark green (2025 version) cover], Alien‘s Passport (gray cover).
Education Documents: All Ethiopian students take a high school leaving examination at the end of 12th grade and receive the Ethiopian Secondary School Completion Certificate issued by the Educational Assessment and Examinations Service (EAES), an agency under the Ethiopian Ministry of Education (MoE).
The 10th grade completion certificate is also a significant educational record. After finishing 10th grade, students could enroll in technical and vocational training colleges, where they earned diplomas and “Level 4” qualifications.
These credentials are necessary for admission to post-secondary degree programs.
Available
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Secondary School Completion Certificate
Issuing Authority: Educational Assessment and Examinations Service (EAES), an agency under the Ethiopian Ministry of Education (MoE).
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Completion of Secondary school exams.
Procedure for Obtaining: There is no procedure for obtaining.
Certified Copies: There are no certified copies.
Alternate Documents: The EAES will issue letters of secondary school completion while waiting for official release of the annual Secondary School Completion Certificates. The letter is not acceptable as an equivalent to the Secondary School Completion Certificate.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Passing grades depend on the academic year Please confirm with The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Post Title: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Embassy)
Address: Entoto Avenue
P.O. Box 1014
Addis Ababa
Phone Number: Tel: 251-11-130 6000, Fax: 251-11-124 2435
Visa Services: All visa categories for Ethiopia. US Embassy Addis Ababa also conducts Immigrant Visa issuances for Eritreans.
Comments / Additional Information: None
All visa categories for all of Ethiopia.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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