The Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) has unveiled its ambitious “Golden Visa” program. As the nation embarks on the 2026/27 fiscal year, this initiative seeks to grant 10-year residency permits to top-tier global investors, placing Ethiopia among the most exclusive and expensive investment-residency markets in the world.
The entry requirements for this prestigious residency permit are significantly high, reflecting the government’s focus on attracting large-scale capital. To qualify, applicants must commit to a minimum of 10 million USD in direct investment. Alternatively, a direct investment of 5 million USD is accepted, provided the investor commits to creating a substantial number of domestic jobs, thereby contributing directly to the local economy.
The program also introduces specific service fees for processing these applications. The standard processing fee for the residency permit, which includes a modern identification card, is set at 10,000 USD. For those seeking expedited processing, a premium fee of 12,500 USD has been established.
Government officials have clarified that while the program was first announced in March, the specific financial thresholds revealed now are the official benchmarks. Prior to this, various media outlets had erroneously cited the processing fees as the investment requirement itself-a misunderstanding that the recent announcement now corrects.
The policy has already been approved by both the Council of Ministers and the House of Peoples’ Representatives. Currently, the Immigration and Citizenship Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, is finalizing the technical infrastructure and detailed implementation directives. Full implementation is slated to take place within the 2026/27 budget year. The upcoming directives are expected to outline clear quotas for job creation, national security protocols, and procedures for visa cancellation.
The structure of Ethiopia’s program is modeled after the successful Golden Visa initiatives found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, a comparative analysis reveals that Ethiopia’s investment threshold is considerably more demanding. For instance, whereas the UAE’s real estate entry point is approximately 545,000 USD, Ethiopia’s 10 million USD requirement sets the country in a league of its own.
When compared to other nations with similar investor residency programs-such as Mauritius, Egypt, Namibia, and Mozambique-Ethiopia’s requirements are among the highest on the African continent. Even on a global scale, Ethiopia’s threshold exceeds those of countries renowned for high-cost investment visas, such as Singapore (7.7 million USD) and New Zealand (5.8 million USD). This strategic positioning confirms Ethiopia’s intent to target only the most significant global investors, cementing its status as one of the most expensive and exclusive residency permit programs in the international arena.
It is important to distinguish this new 10-year permit from existing investment laws. Ethiopia currently offers a 5-year multiple-entry visa for foreigners who purchase residential properties valued at 150,000 USD or more. The new Golden Visa program operates independently of this real estate-linked policy.
Furthermore, while the program provides a long-term residency solution, it does not currently offer a direct path to citizenship or permanent residency status. Because Ethiopia does not recognize dual citizenship, investors should be aware that, at this stage, the Golden Visa serves strictly as a 10-year residency permit. As the government continues to refine the legal framework and implementation guidelines, it remains to be seen how these regulations will evolve to integrate with Ethiopia’s broader national economic development goals.
