Eligibility quiz
Are you married to an Ethiopian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Ethiopia
You can live in Ethiopia on a continuing basis as long as you keep your residence card valid.
The card is valid for five years and can be renewed.
Work in Ethiopia
You can be issued a permit to work or invest under the rules for that permit.
You need a separate permit; the residence card alone does not let you work in every job.
How to apply
Applying from inside EthiopiaApplying from inside Ethiopia
Find your immigration office
Find the immigration office nearest to where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is the nearest Ethiopian immigration office to your city for a Permanent Residence ID?”
Get the registration form
Get the form for registering with the immigration office.
Find the registration formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the Ethiopian immigration registration form for a Permanent Residence ID?”
Fill in the registration form
Fill in the registration form and answer the questions truthfully.
Get registration form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ethiopian immigration registration form for a Permanent Residence ID?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsSubmit your registration
Take your completed registration form and required documents to the immigration office. Ask the office how to submit them; online submission may also be available.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit Ethiopian immigration registration for a Permanent Residence ID?”
Apply for permanent residence
After registering, submit your permanent residence application and required documents to the immigration office. Apply after you have been married for at least one year; online submission may also be available.
Find application instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Ethiopia Permanent Residence ID application through marriage?”
Pay the fee
Pay the required fee before your permit is issued. Ask the immigration office how to pay.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Ethiopia Permanent Residence ID fee through marriage?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office to decide on your application. Answer its questions and provide any further documents it requests.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I apply for an Ethiopia Permanent Residence ID through marriage?”
Receive your residence permit
If your application is approved, receive your permanent residence permit or ID from the immigration office. It lets you live permanently in Ethiopia.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Ethiopia Permanent Residence ID after approval?”
Report future changes
Tell the immigration office within 30 days if information you gave when registering changes, such as your name, marital status or address. Show your residence permit, identity card or the travel document you used to enter Ethiopia when the authorities require it.
Find reporting instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I report a change of address or other registration details for an Ethiopia Permanent Residence ID?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate
Provide your marriage certificate or other official marriage record showing when you married your Ethiopian spouse. Ask the Immigration and Citizenship Service what evidence it accepts to show that your spouse is Ethiopian.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping your residence valid
Renew your card before it expires every five years and pay the fee.
Report changes to your registered details within 30 days, including your name, citizenship, job, marital status or work or home address.
Show your residence card or travel document when the authorities ask.
Residence can be lost
Your permit can be taken away if you obtained it with false evidence or through a marriage entered into for the permit.
It can also be taken away if you stay outside Ethiopia for more than one year in a row.
If you leave Ethiopia permanently, you must return your permit to the authorities.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Addis Ababa
English Facebook group for people living in Ethiopia interested in Ethiopian local life
Join on FacebookEthiopia Expats
English Facebook group for people living in Ethiopia interested in Ethiopian local life
Request to joinMoving To Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 🇪🇹
English Facebook group for people living in Ethiopia interested in Ethiopian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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