The Ethiopian Government has introduced new regulation regarding visa authorization processing. Until 23 May 2017, the visa authorization process required applications to be submitted to Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA) and upon approval to Immigration. The new directives involves each application going through security clearance, hence the new process will be as follows;

Application is submitted to MOFA, thereafter is sent to National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and forwarded to Immigration. The ministries are not able to give a time frame for this new process, which also makes it difficult for the Liaison Unit to give a visa authorization processing time for ILRI staff and visitors.

In light of this new directive and until we have a better understanding of the time frame, the liaison office advices all concerned to plan well ahead when organizing meetings/workshops in Ethiopia. At present, we are estimating the processing time could take anywhere from 10 working days up to 20 working days.

It is not clear if this is a temporary measure or if it is going to be a permanent practice. We will update as we get more information.

Kumneger Tilahun | National Liaison and Protocol Manager