Ethiopia: Proclamation No. 271 of 1969, regulating the Issuance of Travel Documents and Visas, and Registration of Foreigners in Ethiopia

Article 3

(1)"child" shall mean any person less than eighteen (18) years of age.

(2)"conveyance" shall mean any vessel, ship, boat, aircraft, railroad car, vehicle or other means of transportation capable of transporting one or more persons at a time;

(3)"dependant" shall mean the wife or child of, or any other person who is substantially supported by, a foreigner;

(4)"foreigner" shall mean any person carrying a travel document issued by a foreign government or international body recognized by Our Government, and any person registered in a foreign diplomatic mission or consulate of a foreign government as its national and shall include his dependant;

(5)"foreigner-in-transit" shall mean any foreigner who is on a continuous trip to a destination outside of Ethiopia and who is temporarily present in Ethiopia solely for the purpose of changing from one conveyance to another;

(6)"person" shall mean any physical or natural person and shall also include any juridical person;

(7)"port of Entry" shall mean a designated point or place, located at or near the boundary of Ethiopia, in the case of entry into or departure from Ethiopia by water or by land, and at or near an airport in the case of entry into or departure from Ethiopia by air, at which persons and goods are allowed to enter into and part from Ethiopia, and at which Customs Inspectors and Immigration Officers are stationed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with all procedures and formalities relating to the entry into or departure from Ethiopia of persons and goods.

(8)"prescribed" shall mean prescribed in Regulations issued hereunder;

(9)"resident foreigner" shall mean any foreigner who has established a fixed abode in Ethiopia to which he returns from time to time, irrespective of whether or not he maintains a fixed abode in another country as well;

(10)"travel document" shall mean any passport or other document bearing the photograph and signature of the person to whom issued and containing a statement by the issuing authority as to the nationality, if any, of other holder, which is issued by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, or by a foreign government or by an international body recognized by Our Government;

(11)"undesirable foreigner" shall mean any foreigner whether resident or non-resident, who is declared to be such by Our Minister of Interior because said foreigner:

(a)has no visible means of support or is likely to become a public burden;

(b)has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude in a foreign country or in Ethiopia;

(c)has been declared a chronic alcoholic;

(d)has been found guilty of disturbing or endangering the Security of the State;

(e)has been found guilty of promoting immorality in Ethiopia; or

(f)has been found guilty of violating any provision hereof or of any Regulations issued hereunder.

Article 4

(1)There shall be appointed by Our Minister of Interior, an adequate number of Immigration Officers, who shall be responsible for controlling entries into and departures from Ethiopia and for discharging such other duties and responsibilities imposed upon Our Minister of Interior hereunder as said Minister shall prescribe.

(2)An Immigration Officer shall, in exercising his duties and responsibilities hereunder, be empowered to:

(a)board and search any conveyance in Ethiopia;

(b)inspect travel documents, visas and all other documents prescribed herein or in Regulations issued hereunder;

(c)detain for investigation any person whom he has reason to believe in attempting to enter or depart from Ethiopia in violation of the requirements hereof or of any Regulations issued hereunder; provided, however, that any such person shall be brought before the competent court without delay in accordance with the law; and

(d)detain for investigation any conveyance in Ethiopia in which there is reason to believe any person is being carried into or out of Ethiopia in violation of any provision hereof or any Regulations issued hereunder or with respect to which any such violation has been established; provided, however, that the matter shall be brought before the competent court without delay and in accordance with the law.

Article 5

(1)Diplomatic, Special and Ordinary Passports shall be issued by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs as follows:

(a)Diplomatic or special passport shall be issued to such persons as Our Minister of Foreign Affairs shall prescribe.

(b)Ordinary passports shall be issued to Ethiopian nationals who go abroad for pleasure or on business; provided, however, that Our Minister of Foreign Affairs shall first satisfy himself that no such person is likely to become a public charge while abroad.

(2)Emergency travel documents may be issued by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs to any resident foreigner under such conditions as he may prescribe.

(3)The duration of the validity of all travel documents issued by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs shall be determined by him.

Article 6

(1)No foreigner shall enter Ethiopia unless he is in possession of:

(a)a valid travel document;

(b)a valid visa;

(c)a valid internationaL health certificate demonstrating that he has received such immunizations as Our Minister of Public Health may from time to time prescribe; and

(d)such other documents as Our Minister of Foreign Affairs may from time to time prescribe.

(2)A foreigner holding a transit or tourist visa shall in addition possess:

(a)a ticket valid for travel from Ethiopia to another country; and

(b)a valid visa and international health certificate as required for entry to such country.

(3)No foreign child shall enter Ethiopia unless:

(a)he is in possession of a valid travel document and valid visa and is received by an adult within Ethiopia who assumes responsibility for him; or

(b)he is registered in the travel document of an adult who accompanies him.

Article 7

(1)Visas shall be issued to foreigners as follows:

(a)Transit Visa:

(i)A transit visa shall be issued by Our diplomatic and consular mission or by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs abroad or by Our Minister of Interior at a port of entry.

(ii)A transit visa shall upon issuance be valid for not more than seven (7) days.

(b)Tourist Visa:

(i)A tourist visa shall be issued by Our diplomatic and consular missions or by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs abroad or by Our Minister of Interior at a port of entry.

(ii)A tourist visa shall, upon issuance, be valid for not more than three (3) months.

(iii)No foreigner entering Ethiopia with a tourist visa shall be allowed to take up local employment within Ethiopia.

(c)Entry visa:

(1) An entry visa shall be issued by Our diplomatic and consular missions abroad or by Our Minister of Foreign Affairs to a foreigner who intends to come to Ethiopia for purposes other than those specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) above;

provided, however, that before issuing an entry visa to any foreigner falling within any of the following categories, Our Minister of Foreign Affairs shall consult with the appropriate Government Department to determine whether or not an Ethiopian or Ethiopians in sufficient number are available to do the work or to occupy the post of such foreigner:

(i)persons who are to be employed by Our Government;

(ii)persons who are to be employed by private business enterprises;

(iii)persons who intend to establish private business or industries or to engage in other independent enterprises within Ethiopia;

(iv)persons who are to serve in private schools and hospitals established within Ethiopia;

(v)persons who intend to take up residence in Ethiopia with or without their dependants without being engaged in any gainful activity provided, further, that the actual period of residence of the foreigner shall be determined in accordance with Article 11 hereof.

(2)Where serious or unforeseen difficulties arise, application for an extension of the validity of transit and tourist visas may be submitted to Our Minister of Interior who may, where he deems it appropriate, grant such extension for a total of fifteen (15) days, in the case of a transit visa, and nine (9) months in the case of a tourist visa.

(3)Our Minister of Interior shall, from time to time, prescribe ports of entry to Ethiopia.

(4)Our Minister of Foreign Affairs may revoke any visa after its issuance but prior to the entry into Ethiopia of the foreigner to whom issued, if he deems such action necessary in the best interests of the country.

Article 8

Any foreigner who has been declared an undesirable foreigner shall not be allowed to enter into Ethiopia.

Article 9

(1)No person shall depart from Ethiopia unless he is in possession of:

(a)A valid travel document;

(b)A more valid exit visa;

(c)A valid visa and international health certificate as required for entry to the country of destination.

(2)Our Minister of Interior may refuse to issue an exit visa:

(a)If a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered that the person stay in Ethiopia; or

(b)If a court of competent jurisdiction has summoned the person to appear within one (1) month as a witness in a pending civil or criminal case.

(3)Our Minister of Interior shall at his discretion issue a re-entry visa to any resident-foreigner who wishes to leave Ethiopia for a temporary period.

(4)Our Minister of Interior may, after the issuance of an exit visa or a re-entry visa, revoke the exit or re-entry visa at any time, if he deems such action necessary in the best interests of the country.

Article 10

(1)Any foreigner may be ordered to leave Ethiopia by Our Minister of Interior:

(a)if he has entered Ethiopia in violation of any provision hereof or of any Regulations issued hereunder; or

(b)if he is lawfully in Ethiopia but whose visa or residence permit, as the case may be, has expired and not been renewed.

(2)Our Minister of Interior shall issue a deportation order and effect the deportation of any foreigner who has been declared an undesirable foreigner.

(3)Upon issuance of a deportation order, Our Minister of Interior shall inform the foreigner to be deported for the reasons thereof, the date and the route by which he is to leave Ethiopia.

(4)Any property owned by a foreigner being deported may be applied to the payment of transportation expenses.

(5)Our Minister of Interior may in addition order the deportation of any dependants of the person being deported.

Article 11

(1)The following persons shall be required to register with Our Minister of Interior:

(a)All foreigners residing in Ethiopia;

(b)Any foreigner who enters Ethiopia under an entry visa, within thirty (30) days of the date of his arrival.

(2)Any foreigner who is registered under paragraph (1) if this Article 11 shall be issued a residence permit valid for a period of one year from the date of his registration.

(3)

(a) Whenever requested by a duly authorized official, a foreigner shall produce his residence permit or the travel document under which he entered Ethiopia.

(b)Any foreigner who fails to produce his registration permit or travel document may be taken into temporary custody pending investigation of his nationality and identity and, if appropriate, brought before a court without delay.

Article 12

(1)If any foreigner holding a residence permit changes his residence from one city or town to another, he shall, prior to making such change, so notify the office at which he is registered.

(2)Such foreigner shall register in his new place of residence within ten (10) days of taking up residence there.

Article 13

Hotel managers, innkeepers and proprietors of similar establishments where lodgings are let on a daily or other basis shall:

(1)require that all foreigners shall provide such information as may be prescribed; and

(2)transmit such information at such times and to such offices as may be prescribed.

Article 14

(1)The master of any conveyance carrying any foreigner who intends to enter Ethiopia shall ensure that each such foreigner satisfies the requirements of Article 6 hereof.

(2)The master of any conveyance carrying any foreigner who intends to enter Ethiopia shall be responsible for ensuring that such foreigner lands only at designated ports of entry.

(3)The master of any conveyance who fails to comply with the requirements to paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall be required, at his expense, to carry out of Ethiopia any foreigner concerned.

(4)The master of any conveyance carrying persons into or out of Ethiopia shall, upon arrival at and prior to departure from any port of entry, submit to the Immigration Officer at such port a list of all persons being carried into or out of Ethiopia, which list shall meet such requirements as Our Minister of Interior may prescribe.

(5)The master of any conveyance carrying any person out of Ethiopia shall be responsible for determining that each such person satisfies the requirements of paragraph (1) of Article 9 hereof.

Article 15

The provisions hereof shall not apply to foreign officials of diplomatic or consular missions accredited to Ethiopia and members of international organizations on the basis of reciprocity, international practice or convention to which Ethiopia is a party.

Article 16

(1)Our Minister of Interior is hereby authorized to issue regulations consistent herewith and:

(a)designating ports of entry to Ethiopia;

(b)setting forth the procedures to govern the declaration of a foreigner as an undesirable foreigner;

(c)setting forth the procedures to govern the registration of foreigners hereunder and designating the offices at which such registration may be made;

(d)setting forth the procedures to govern the issuance and renewal of residence permits;

(e)fixing fees to be paid in connection with the issuance of exit visas, the extension of transit and tourist visas, the registration of foreigners, and the issuance and renewal of residence permits;

(f)prescribe the type of information to be provided and offices to which such information shall be submitted in accordance with Article 13 hereof;

(g)setting forth the procedures to govern the issuance of a deportation order;

(h)setting forth procedures to govern the issuance of a deportation order;

(i)setting forth the procedures to govern the issuance of an exit visa; and

(j)generally for the better carrying out of the duties and responsibilities imposed on him hereunder.

(2)Our Minister of Foreign Affairs is hereby authorized:

(a)setting forth the procedures to govern the application for and issuance of travel documents;

(b)setting forth procedures to govern the application for and issuance of transit, tourist and entry visas;

(c)prescribing additional documents to be complied with by persons seeking to enter Ethiopia;

(d)fixing fees to be paid in connection with the issuance of travel documents and transit, tourist and entry visas;

(e)generally, for the better carrying out of the duties and responsibilities imposed on him hereunder.

Article 17

(1)Any foreigner who in violation of this Proclamation enters Ethiopia, or wilfully remains in Ethiopia after cancellation of his resident permit or after the expiration of the period for which his permit was granted, shall on conviction be liable to punishment under paragraph two (2) of this Article 17.

(2)Any person who:

(a)leaves or attempts to leave Ethiopia in violation of article nine (9) hereof; or

(b)assists any person to enter or to leave Ethiopia knowing that such other person has not been authorized to do so; or

(c)assists any foreigner to remain in Ethiopia knowing that such foreigner has no right to do so; or

(d)by fraudulent means obtain for himself or procures for a third person any type of visa or a resident permit for use in Ethiopia;

shall on conviction be liable to be punished by imprisonment up to five (5) years or fine up to $ 10,000 (Ten thousand) Ethiopian Dollars, or both.

(3)The master of any conveyance who:

(a)knowingly brings into or carries out of Ethiopia any person in violation of any provision hereof or of any Regulations issued hereunder; or

(b)fails to provide a complete and true list of all persons brought into or carried out of Ethiopia;

(c)fails to exercise due care to establish that only persons brought into or carried out of Ethiopia:

(d)fails to carry out of Ethiopia any foreigner covered by the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 14 hereof;

is punishable with simple imprisonment of not more than two years or fine of not more than $ 5,000 (Five thousand) Ethiopian dollars, or both.

(4)Any foreigner required to register or to renew his residence permit pursuant hereto who fails to do so is punishable with simple imprisonment of not more than two (2) years or fine of not more than $ 2,000 (Two thousand) Ethiopian dollars, or both.

(5)Any person who:

(a)wilfully obstructs, hinders, resists or interferes with an Immigration Officer in the lawful performance of his duties; or

(b)violated any provision hereof or any Regulations issued hereunder which is not otherwise covered in this Article 17

is punishable in accordance with the Penal Code.

(6)In the case where the person convicted under paragraph 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5 of his Article 17 is a juridical person, the punishment shall be a fine of up to $ 20,000 (Twenty thousand) Ethiopian dollars.