Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) will introduce a 10-year golden visa card during the upcoming fiscal year, according to government media.
The new residency program is set to become one of the most exclusive residency-by-investment programs globally.
The financial structure of Ethiopia’s upcoming Golden Visa program establishes clear boundaries between direct investment capital and administrative processing fees. To qualify for the 10-year residency permit, foreign nationals must inject a minimum of $10 million in foreign direct investment, or opt for an alternative $5 million threshold when paired with substantial local job creation.
Once an investor meets these capital requirements, they are subject to a $10,000 baseline administrative processing fee to issue or renew the 10-year permit. For investors seeking prioritized handling, an expedited or express processing option is available for $12,500.
Rollout Pending Final Operational Details
The card-based residency permit is modeled after similar frameworks in nations such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is structured to grant exclusive privileges to international backers. The ICS has stated that the “Golden” designation reflects the elite benefits and premium status accorded to its holders.
The program is designed to offer long-term security to high-net-worth individuals and their families, with the decade-long stability intended to encourage investors to tie their future to Ethiopia’s economic landscape.
The legal groundwork for the rollout has been secured, with the necessary proclamations and regulation amendments approved by the Council of Ministers and the House of Peoples’ Representatives. The government is finalizing operational directives with the Ministry of Justice, while technical infrastructure and card personalization processes are underway.
The forthcoming operational directive is expected to clarify job creation quotas, terms for visa revocation on security grounds, and how investments in challenging sectors will be weighed against those in less demanding industries. The legal and technological framework is expected to be completed in time for a full launch within the current fiscal year.
