Eritrea: Regulation No. 4/1992 of 1992 of Travel Documents and Immigration

CHAPTER I - GENERAL

1 - Issuing authority

The Secretary of Internal Affairs by virtue of the powers conferred to him under Art. 28 of Proclamation No. 24/1992 concerning the granting and control of travel documents, entry visa into and exit visa from Eritrea, residence permits to foreigners in Eritrea has issued the following regulation.

2 - Short title

This regulation may be cited as "Regulation of travel documents and Immigration No. 4/1992".

CHAPTER II - ENTRANCE SITES

3 - Particulars of entrance sites

Any person entering or leaving Eritrea shall not be allowed to enter or leave other than through the entrances specified below:

1)   by air: through Asmara, Assab or Massawa;

2)   by sea: through Massawa, Assab or Thio;

3)   by land: through Ghirmaica, Thio, Taalatasher, Shilalo, Omhager, Adi Quala, Tzorona, Zalambesa, Assab or Karora.

CHAPTER III - TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

4 - Application for a new travel document

1)   Any person who applies for a new travel document submits a filled form with four identical photographs to the Immigration Office. If he wants to have his under age members of his family registered in the travel document, he will fill forms according to their number and present four identical photographs of each one.

2)   Any person who applies for a new travel document must produce documents or three valid witnesses to prove his Eritrean Nationality.

3)   Anyone authorized to have a new travel document will receive his travel document upon payment of the service fee.

4)   Travel document shall bear the photograph and signature of the holder.

5)   Anyone with a travel document who wants to have under-aged members of his family registered in his travel document shall apply in writing and may have them registered.

6)   Application of a travel document for a child may be submitted by his/her parents or by his/her tutor.

5 - Validity period and renewal of travel document

1)   Unless expressly declared in a separate note, a travel document is valid for two years from the date if issue. It may be renewed every two years.

2)   Any person who applies for the renewal of his travel document shall fill form 1 (a) enclosing two identical photographs. If the application is approved, he pays service fee.

6 - Travel document for foreigners

1)   Immigration Central Office may issue or renew travel documents to the following foreigners:

a          to Stateless foreigners resident in Eritrea;

b          to foreigners resident in Eritrea entitled to refugee rights;

c          to foreigners living in Eritrea who, though they have a State, have for various motives been unable to obtain travel documents from their State or from other States;

d          to family members of those mentioned in Sub-Art (a), ( c ) according to circumstances.

2)   The application for travel document may be submitted in form No. 2 with four identical photographs. If the application is approved, service fee shall be charged.

3)   A travel document is valid only for one year from the date of issue. Renewal may be asked by form No.2 (a); if approved service fee shall be charged.

7 - Laissez-passer for special situations

1)   Abroad the Envoy of the Government of Eritrea and in the Country the Dept. of Internal Affairs:

a          may grant Laissez-Passer for special situations to an Eritrean who wants to return to his Country;

b          to any person who leaves Eritrea for a short period.

2)   Any person applying for this kind of pass shall fill form 3 enclosing four identical photographs. If the application is approved, service fee shall be charged.

CHAPTER IV - VISA

8 - Types of visa

There are five types of visa as enlisted below:

1)   entry visa;

2)   exit-re-entry visa;

3)   tourist visa;

4)   transit Visa;

5)   Exit visa.

9 - Types of entry visa

There are three types of entry visas, as enlisted below:

1)   business visa;

2)   student visa;

3)   Special Visa.

10 - Business visa

1)   A business visa is issued to a person entering the country for Government or private activity.

2)   Abroad the envoy of the Government of Eritrea may, by approval of the Central Immigration Office, grant business visa.

3)   Any Government Organ of Eritrea or Private Corporate may apply to the Central Office of Immigration for a business visa to a foreigner whose entry into the country is required for business. A business visa granted in this way may be handed over to the foreigner at the entrance site through which he comes.

4)   The application for a business visa is to be presented in Form No. 4. However, this application must be accompanied by an invitation letter of the concerned Government organ or private enterprise stating the reasons for the entry of the foreigner.

5)   A business visa is valid for one entry in a month from the issue date and the holder will be able to stay in Eritrea up to three months.

6)   In special circumstances in three months more than one entry may be authorized and he may be issued with a multiple business visa for six months.

7)   A business visa, which expires before being used, cannot be renewed.

8)   Abroad, the envoy of the Government of Eritrea may grant business visa to the following foreigners without approval of the Central Office of Immigration:

a          foreigners in Institutions of the Government of Eritrea,

b          managers of Private companies in Eritrea who have stayed not more than three months or who have entered Eritrea as representatives to supervise or audit the company or for other similar work,

c          employees of Airlines or Shipping Lines with offices in Eritrea who are to stay for not more than one week.

9)   A foreigner who entered Eritrea on a business visa cannot start work with another enterprise unless the Central Office Immigration in consultation with concerned Government organs authorizes it.

11 - Student visa

1)   A student visa enables its holder to study in a school in Eritrea.

2)   The envoy of the Government of Eritrea abroad may with the consent of the Central Office of Immigration grant a student visa.

3)   Application for a student visa may be presented by Form No. 4. The foreigner is required to enclose the following documents to his application form:

a          a school certificate accepted by the highest School Authority of the Country where he studied,

b          a document as a proof that he has sufficient economic possibilities to guarantee his living during his stay in Eritrea,

c          a document assuming responsibility for him during his stay in Eritrea by the sponsoring body or person in Eritrea,

d          a document signed by the Director of the School accepting to have him as its student,

e          a document showing that the Department of Education in Eritrea has authorized him to study in Eritrea,

f           the documents cited from (a) to (e),of this Sub-Article don't concern the students sent in compliance with agreements made with the Government of Eritrea from Foreign States.

4)   Any foreigner who entered Eritrea with a student visa cannot be employed with or without salary unless the Central Immigration Office in consultation with concerned bodies of the Government of Eritrea authorizes him to do so.

12 - Other types of entry visa

1)   Visa may be issued on conditions other than work or education.

2)   the envoy of' the Government of Eritrea abroad may, with the consent of the Central Office of Immigration, grant other types of entry visas.

3)   Application for this kind of entry visa is presented on form No. 4. If the entry visa is requested for health reasons, the foreigner, who applies for the entry visa:

a          must enclose to his application form a document to prove that until he stays in Eritrea for medical reasons he will be economically self-sufficient;

b          a security bond document signed by an organization or person in Eritrea as sponsor of the entering foreigner;

c          a document to prove that the medical institution has agreed to treat him.

4)   This type of entry visa is valid for one entry only in a month and may be used for three months upon extension granted every month.

5)   The provisions of Art. 15 applicable to persons holding tourist visa are equally applicable to this type of visa.

13 - General rules governing entry and tourist visa

1)   An entry visa issued abroad by the envoy of the Government of Eritrea may be cancelled by the Immigration Official at the entrance site. The ensuing expense will be borne by the holder of the visa.

2)   Any Immigration Authority or the envoy of the Government of Eritrea before issuing an entry or tourist visa;

a          shall assure that the Passport or travel document of the applicant is still valid for at least six months;

b          shall assure that the passport or travel document and the particulars therein are true and not falsified.

3)   Any person entering Eritrea with any kind of visa shall upon arrival at the entrance site fill a form card and may only be allowed to enter after the stamping of his document.

4)   Any person who uses a travel document granted by the Government of Eritrea need not have an entry visa.

But upon his arrival at the entrance site he shall fill the form card provided in Sub. Art. 3 of the present Article.

5)   Application for any kind of visa must be presented one week before the required date. But for valid urgent matters it may be granted in a shorter period of time.

6)   The Immigration Authority or the envoy of the Government of Eritrea upon considering the urgency of the application of the entry visa may demand the payment of special service fee according to the solution required (for telegram-telephone etc. service).

7)   The Government of Eritrea upon concluding a special agreement with other governments in connection with the entry of their citizens may issue special rules and directives reflecting the agreement.

14 - Exit-re-entry Visa

1)   Exit-re-entry visa is granted to foreigners with residence permits returning to Eritrea. However this special visa may also be granted to foreigners who don't hold residence permits.

2)   Exit-re-entry visa is granted by Immigration Authorities.

3)   Application for an exit-re-entry visa is presented in Form No.6. It is required by the filling of form No. 7 for exit visa.

4)   Exit-re-entry visa is valid as exit visa for a period of one month from the date of issue and once within three months as re-entry visa.

5)   If the exit-re-entry visa expires before being used, extension may be applied by filling form No. 9. But if it expires for the second time a new application will be required.

6)   For authorized motives foreigners who frequently enter Eritrea may be granted exit-re-entry visa that may be used as re-entry visa for more than once in a period of three months.

7)   If the exit-re-entry visa of a foreigner expires while he is abroad, the Envoy of the Government of Eritrea in that country may extend his visa upon valid reasons.

8)   A foreigner holder of an exit-re-entry visa is required to fill exit and entry cards form upon his exit and entry.

9)   For any exit-re-entry visa service fee shall be charged.

10)  An exit-re-entry visa shall be applied one week before the required date.

15 - Tourist visa

1)   This type of visa may enable the holder to visit or tour Eritrea. The Envoy of the Government of Eritrea abroad may grant tourist visa on form No.4.

2)   a tourist visa may serve as entry visa only once in a month and may enable the holder to stay in Eritrea in all three months.

3)   The service of a tourist visa may be counted from the day the tourist set foot in Eritrea.

4)   A person in possession of a tourist visa may apply for extension to the Immigration Office by filling Form no.9. if the request is well motivated and necessary extension may be granted.

5)   If a tourist visa expires before being used it cannot be extended. But a new request may be presented.

6)   A foreigner who entered the Country by a tourist visa shall not be authorized to serve in activities other than tourism.

7)   Extension and service fee is charged for tourist visa.

16 - Transit Visa

1)   Transit visa may be granted to a traveller entering Eritrea on his way to another country or to a foreigner staying in Eritrea for a short time.

2)   Transit visa may be granted by the Envoy of the Government of Eritrea abroad or at the entrance site by the Dept. of Internal Affairs.

3)   A transit visa abroad may be applied three days before the required date by filling form No. 5. In addition the interested person applying for transit visa:

a          must present an entry or transit visa that he will use in the country after his departure from Eritrea;

b          must show transport service tickets necessary for his travel;

4)   A transit visa in Eritrea shall be valid only for one week.

5)   Upon justified reasons the Central Immigration Office may change the transit visa of a traveller into a tourist visa. He will be required to complete all formalities needed for a tourist visa.

6)   For the granting or changing of a transit visa into a tourist visa service fee shall be charged.

7)   A foreigner who entered the country with a transit visa is required to fill entry and exit cards upon entering and leaving the country. He may enter and leave the country when his documents are stamped.

8)   Under the following conditions transit visa will not be required:

a          if the passengers are passing directly without stopping more than 24 hours and will not leave the airport without a special permit of the Immigration Office;

b          if they are the crew of a regular airline or shipping line with regular service to Eritrea and who stay in Eritrea for not more than a week.

9)   The crew mentioned in Sub - Article 8 (b) of this Article in compulsory situations, and if in possession of a valid passport or travel document, may have their period of permanence in Eritrea extended by the Immigration Authorities.

10)  The persons mentioned in Sub-Article 8 will hand over their travel documents to the Immigration Office at the entrance site against receipts which will be returned upon exit.

17 - Exit visa

1)   Except as provided in Proclamation 24/1992 issued to control the granting of travel documents: the entry and exit visa, the residence permits in Eritrea, and the persons mentioned in the articles of the regulation as exempted from the requirements of visa, any other person foreigner or Eritrean shall require an exit visa when leaving the country.

2)   In compliance with Proclamation No. 24/1992 for the issue of travel documents for entry into or exit from Eritrea or for the granting of residence permits, persons and foreigners or Eritreans forbidden to leave Eritrea shall not be with issued exit visa.

3)   Exit visa shall be granted by the Immigration Authorities.

4)   Application for an exit visa may be presented in Form No. 4 one week before the required date. For justified reasons the application may be presented in less than a week.

5)   The person applying for an exit-re-entry visa may fill only Form 6 and shall not need to fill Form no. 7.

6)   A foreigner in possession of a residence permit intending to leave Eritrea definitely is required to apply for an exit visa by filling Form No.8. His application must be accompanied by the following documents to show that he is free from liability to:

a          the Bank;

b          the Municipality or Rural Administration;

c          the House Renting Administration;

d          from the Police;

e          to the Electric Dept.;

f           to the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise;

g          to the enterprise in which he served,

7)   An exit visa is valid only for one travel in a month from the date of issue.

8)   Eritreans who frequently travel for justified reasons may be granted exit visa that will enable them to leave for more than once within three months.

9)   If an exit visa expires before being used it may be extended by an application of form 9. But if it expires for the second time, extension shall not be granted, provisions of Sub. Art. 6 of the present regulation may be applied to the new application form.

10)  A foreigner who came with an entry or tourist or transit visa, unless the visa has expired, he will have no need for an exit visa.

11)  Eritreans applying for exit visa are required to submit the following documents:

a          if they are leaving for any kind of education, support from concerned organs;

b          if they are sent abroad for various reasons by an organ of the Government of Eritrea or by a private organization a letter of support from the concerned body or private corporation;

c          if they are going abroad for work a letter of support from Labour Office;

d          if they are leaving for medical treatment a certificate from the Health Dept.

12)  Any person leaving Eritrea is required to fill an exit card or form at the exit site. He may leave the barrier (site) only upon obtaining the stamp of Immigration.

13)  Service fees are charged for exit visa and for the extension made to it.

CHAPTER V - REGISTRATION OF FOREIGNERS AND RESIDENCE PERMIT

18 - Registration and granting of residence permit

1)   Any foreigner who has resided in Eritrea less than six months after obtaining permit to enter the country for work shall be registered and required to have a residence permit.

2)   Registration and issuing of residence permit may be carried out in the Immigration -Office Foreigners Section - or in its branches established under the Internal Affairs.

3)   Application for registration and the granting of residence permit shall be submitted in form No. 10. In addition the foreigner is required to produce documents from Labour Office or from concerned bodies of the Government of Eritrea showing that he has been authorized to work in Eritrea.

4)   Any foreigner who was under 15 years of age when came to Eritrea or a foreigner born in Eritrea upon reaching 15 years of age shall be required to have a residence permit.

5)   Except those mentioned in Art. 6 (1) of this regulation, other foreigners are required to be in possession of a valid passport or travel document as a condition for obtaining a residence permit.

6)   Any foreigner who changes the particulars given during registration shall within one week from the date of change inform the Immigration Office concerned with the filling of Form No.11.

19 - Validity period and renewal of Residence Permit

1)   A residence permit is valid for one year from the date of issue.

2)   Renewal of residence permit may be requested by the filling Form No. 10 (a).

3)   Issuing or renewal of residence permit is subject to the payment of service fees.

20 - Handling back of residence permit

Any foreigner with a residence permit upon leaving Eritrea definitely is required to hand over or back his residence permit to the concerned Immigration Office.

CHAPTER VI - FINAL PROVISIONS

21 - Exemption from service fees

1)   Persons holding Diplomatic Passport of special guests of the Government of Eritrea whom the Dept. of Foreign Affairs treat as Diplomats.

2)   Airline or Shipping Lines crew are exempted from payment of service fees;

22 - Entry into effect

These Regulations shall enter into effect from the date of its publication in the Eritrean Gazette.