Ethiopia - Applying for Work Permit Visa

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. The application form for work permit visa is available in the Ethiopian Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency contact link
2. Applicant should fill-in all the necessary details in the application form.
3. Applicant should make sure to carry all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page (Both photocopies and Originals).
4. Applicant should attach the photocopies of the necessary documents (whichever is necessary) along with the application form while submitting.
5. A fee of 600 Birr should be paid while submitting the form.
6. If all the above-mentioned procedures were followed by the applicant properly, then, the permit will be issued to them within 7-21 days.
7. If the applicant didn’t get the permit within a month, then, they can reach out to the office for getting information on their application.
   

Apply Online

1. The application form is available in the following application link
2. Applicant must provide necessary details in the application form and click on “Continue” button.
3. The following pages will request for the “Arrival Information”, “Personal Information”, “Supporting Documents”.
4. Applicant must provide necessary details in all of those pages and finally under “Review Application” page, applicant must review all their details and click on “Submit” button for submitting their application form.
5. Applicant must upload digital copies of documents (whichever is requested) that are mentioned under “Required Documents” section of this page.
6. Fee for this procedure can be paid online.
7. If all the above-mentioned procedures were followed properly by the applicant, the visa will be provided within 7-21 days.
   

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Required Documents

Government Organizations / Projects

• Four (4) copies of application form from employer
• Support letter from the immediate project supervisor
• Photocopy of employees passport and valid business visa
• Five (5) passport photos of employee
• Support letter from the Ministry under which an applicant will be working
• Business letter from employer
• Education certificates; and
• Work experience evidence
  

Private organizations

• Four (4) copies of application form from employer;
• Investment certificate issued by the Investment Agency;
• Business License of employing company issued by the Ministry of Trade;
• Trading license if head office of employer is located outside Ethiopia;
• Photocopy of employees passport and valid business visa
• Five (5) passport photos of employee
• Support letter from the Ministry under which an applicant will be working
• Support / Business letter from employer
• Education certificates; and
• Work experience evidence
  

Non Government Organizations

• Four (4) copies of application form from employer
• Registration certificate from charities and societies agency;
• Photocopy of employees passport and valid business visa
• Five (5) passport photos of employee
• Support letter from the Ministry under which an applicant will be working
• recommendation letter from employer
• Education certificates; and
• Work experience evidence
  

The report filled with the Regional Employment Office must contain

• An application for a work card;
• A copy of the letter of application for the work card.
• A draft employment contract
• CV of the employer
• Proof or evidence of the professional skills and expertise of the applicant.
• Job description.
• A list of the companies expatriates employees; and a schedule of training, advance training and professional adjustment programs.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Location: Addis Ababa
Address: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Labour Relations Board,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact link

Eligibility

The applicant for a work permit in Ethiopia must be foreigner invited for employment in by a registered company in the country.

Fees

• Work permit - Birr 600
• Renewal - Birr 500
• Replacement - Birr 400
  

Validity

Work card and Visa for settlement are usually valid for three (3) years.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The processing time for this procedure is 7-21 days.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
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e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Ensure that you have a valid passport and get a business visa;
• A visa can be obtained either on arrival or prior to departure from any Ethiopian embassy, high commission or consulate office in your country of residence;
• Beware of presence of water born diseases and malaria in the country;
• Always have adequate hard currency before travelling because credit card are accepted in very few outlets.
• application for and find details of requirement;
• Application forms should be filled and signed by applicant;
• Attach all necessary documents on to the application form;
  

Required Information

• Full name of applicant (employee)
• Sex, Age and marital status
• Nationality
• Details of Employer in Ethiopia
• Qualification and work experience details
• Commencement date
• Duration of employment
  

Need for the Document

• A work permit is required to work in Ethiopia and fill a specific available position. However, there are certain rules and restrictions around the same.
• You can obtain an Ethiopian work visa if you satisfy the criteria that the visa officer is looking for. One must note that there are many employment options in Ethiopia that require skilled workforce from abroad
• Work permit is a legal authorization that allows a person to take employment in a foreign country.
• Employment could be in a government entity, private organization or non government organization.
• Like in most countries, in order for a foreigner to work in Ethiopia, he / she must acquire a work permit which is issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and by the Ethiopia Investment Agency in cases of expatriates working for foreign investors.
  

Information which might help

• There are some Foreigners who can work without work permits in Ethiopia due to their status for instance foreigners born in Ethiopia with legible birth certificates and those granted immunity by the ministry of foreign affairs
• Through foreigners are allowed to work in the country and that foreign investors are allowed to employ qualified expatriates for their business, they (foreign investors) are advised to arrange necessary trainings for local Ethiopians as foreign expatriates must be replaced by Ethiopians with in a limited period of time..
• A work permit can be processed at embassy as one processes his / her business visa. on the other hand, a business visa can be converted into a work permit
• In cases of disappearance of a foreign employee, an employer is obliged to inform the ministry about the disappearance, in writing to within 2 (two) days.
• If contract expires and the employer no longer needs the service of the foreigner he / she must to inform the ministry with in 5 (five) working days and return the permit;
• If a work permit expires, it can be renewed after proving to the ministry that the foreigner has not yet finished his work.
• The ministry can decide to cancel a permit given to a foreigner for instance
• In cases of resignation from job;
• Failure to fulfill obligation of a foreigner;
• foreigner is no longer needed for the specified job;
• If the permit expires and ministry finds out that there is no need to prolong permit;
• Found working out of boundaries;
• If the permit is not renewed in time
• If a foreigner becomes a threat to the country
• A foreigner found to work without a work permit will be punished based on the penalties set under the labor proclamation.
  

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• Knowledge and skills are imported into the country;
• It allows creation of job opportunities for nationals in cases of foreigners investing;
• increased revenue in the country as expatriates are taxed;
• The long process of application ensures that the issuing country has information about of the applicant in detail;
• There is increases security in the country as all visitors are registered;
  

External Links

Link

Others

More information which might help people.