Ethiopia's Investment Visa is a long-term multiple-entry visa for foreign nationals who invest in or intend to invest in the country. Governed by Investment Proclamation No. 1180/2020, the program is administered jointly by the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), which provides confirmation letters and facilitation, and the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS), which issues the visa, residence permits, and work permits. The ICS is the autonomous federal agency that superseded the former Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency (INVEA) in October 2021 under Proclamation No. 1263/2021 (portal ics.gov.et). The program targets foreign investors — both individual entrepreneurs and corporate shareholders — who commit a minimum capital of USD 200,000 to establish investment projects. Since November 2022, the visa has been available through the e-visa portal at evisa.gov.et. Ethiopia uses a negative-listing approach, meaning all sectors are open to foreign investors except those explicitly reserved for domestic investors.
Most investors qualify at the standard USD 200,000 threshold (or the lower joint-venture and technical-services tiers). Two newer routes carry different conditions: under Ethiopian Investment Board Directive No. 1001/2024, the previously restricted export, import, wholesale, and retail trade sectors are now open to foreign investors but require a higher unified paid-up capital of USD 2.5 million. Investors operating a Special Economic Zone under Special Economic Zone Proclamation No. 1322/2024 face substantially higher capital and land-allocation thresholds. Foreign startups and foreign startup-ecosystem builders are exempt from the Investment Proclamation's minimum-capital thresholds under Article 39 of Startup Proclamation No. 1396/2025.
Owners and shareholders receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa (USD 1,000 fee). General managers, board members, and top management receive a 3-year multiple-entry visa (USD 750 fee). The maximum single stay per entry is 90 days — investors needing continuous presence must obtain a residence permit. Investment permits are valid for 2 years and renewable for additional 1-year periods until a business license is obtained.
Spouses, children, and parents of investors are eligible for visa facilitation by the EIC. For residence permits, spouses must provide authenticated marriage certificates and children must provide authenticated birth certificates. Family members can obtain family member residence IDs through the ICS.
The standard corporate income tax rate is 30% on business profits, confirmed unchanged under the Income Tax (Amendment) Proclamation No. 1395/2025, which also introduced a 2.5%-of-turnover Alternative Minimum Tax where regular tax liability falls below that level. Income tax exemptions of 1–6 years are available depending on sector and location under Investment Incentives Regulation No. 517/2022 (amended by Regulation No. 941/2022). Industrial park enterprises receive 8–10 year exemptions. Employment-based incentives range from a 1-year exemption for 2,000–3,000 Ethiopian employees up to a 3-year exemption for over 5,000 employees. Eligible sectors for tax incentives include software development, data centers, cloud services, business process outsourcing, and startup development services. Expatriate employees may remit salaries in convertible foreign currency.
The process involves two tracks. First, obtain an investment permit from the EIC by submitting required documentation with a USD 50 service fee. The EIC one-stop service center also handles company name registration (USD 50), commercial registration (USD 50), and capital registration (USD 50). Second, apply for the Investment Visa through the e-visa portal or at an Ethiopian embassy, providing the EIC confirmation letter and supporting documents. Upon approval, applicants receive an email authorization and get their passport stamped upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Foreigners planning to stay longer than 90 days must register with immigration authorities and apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Residence permits are issued by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS). The temporary residence permit is valid for up to one year and is renewable. The ICS also issues a Permanent Residence ID (a five-year renewable status). Permanent residence is available to foreigners who have been domiciled in Ethiopia for at least 3 years with lawful income sources, or to those engaged in investment activities contributing to the country.
Investors may hire foreign nationals for higher management positions (CEO, COO, CFO) without restriction. Other expatriate staff require proof that qualified Ethiopians are unavailable. Investors must train Ethiopian nationals for succession into positions held by expatriate staff. Quarterly project status reports must be submitted to the EIC.