Expatriate Work Permit (Ministry of Labour and Skills) and Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa
WV
Foreign employees in Ethiopia need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Skills, managed through its online Expatriate Work Permit System. They also need a matching employment visa from the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS). The WV visa is for people employed by business firms owned or operated by foreigners. It needs a Ministry of Labour support letter confirming the work permit.
1 entry rule for Ethiopia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Ethiopia
Money
3
Currency
Ethiopian Birr
ETB
Ethiopian Birr
Cost of living
30
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2024
Tax
15–35%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15%
Monthly employment income: 0% up to ETB 2,000; 35% above ETB 14,000 a month (Proclamation 1395/2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#133 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals hired by a firm in Ethiopia, including foreign-owned firms (WV visa). Separate visa types exist for NGOs (NV), government bodies (GIV) and Ethiopian private firms.
Eligibility
Employer in Ethiopia
The inviting organisation must register and get a reference code on the e-Visa portal before employees apply for business-type visas.
Foreign-owned employer (WV)WV visa
The WV visa is for foreigners entering Ethiopia to work for business firms owned or operated by foreigners.
Work permit granted
A support letter from the labour ministry stating that a work permit has been granted is required for the WV visa.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementPassport validity
- Document checklistRecent passport-size photo
- FeesWV visa - single entry, up to 30 days
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 more requirements
- 7 documents
- 5 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Ethiopia
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Ethiopia
- Visit & tourismTourist eVisa (VT), single entry 30 or 90 days
- StudyStudent visa
- FamilyTemporary residence permit through marriage
Work permits in other countries
- FinlandResidence permit for a specialist (erityisasiantuntija), including the fast-track service
- FijiLong Term Work Permit
- Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands Work Permit
- MicronesiaFSM entry permit for employment or short-term contractual services
- Faroe IslandsFaroe Islands work and residence permit
- FranceCarte de séjour pluriannuelle « talent » (formerly Passeport Talent) - salarié qualifié and carte bleue européenne streams
