The situation
The Ethiopian immigration authorities have launched a new program which allows all African tourists and business travelers to obtain a visa-on-arrival when entering Ethiopia.
A closer look
African nationals seeking to travel to Ethiopia for tourist or business purposes will no longer be required to apply for a visa prior to travelling into the country. African nationals applying for a visa-on-arrival may be required to provide proof for the reason they are entering the country, such as a tour itinerary for tourists or an invitation letter for business travelers.
Impact
African nationals traveling to Ethiopia no longer need to wait three days to obtain a visa following an e-Visa application. This allows business travelers and tourists to enter Ethiopia sooner than before.
Background
The visa-on-arrival program is the result of the government’s intentions to encourage trade, investment and tourism in Ethiopia. The African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is cited as a main reason for this initiative.
Looking ahead
Ethiopia’s opening of the visa-on-arrival program to all African nationals is an encouraging step for progression of free movement within the African Union member states and the continent at large, and Fragomen projects that other African countries will offer similar programs in the future. Fragomen will report on developments as they occur.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger examines how wage-driven selection mechanisms in programs such as the H-1B lottery and PERM can create incentives for artificial wage inflation and introduce new compliance and workforce planning challenges for employers.
Media mentions
Director Gemma Hyslop examines how collaboration across the global mobility sector can help strengthen legal pathways and support for migrant women experiencing abuse.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discussed immigration and duty-of-care challenges for employers amid Middle East travel disruptions.
Awards
Partner Sarah K. Peterson is recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2026 Women in Business honoree for her professional achievements and contributions to the Twin Cities business community.
Media mentions
Immigration Manager Alice Heron explains how HR teams can navigate Irish immigration law and manage international talent effectively.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno and Immigration Consultant Devina Sanghera outline what the proposed expansion of the UK Right to Work Scheme means for housebuilders.
Awards
Partner Cynthia Shearn is recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in its 2026 Notable Women in Law list, honoring her leadership in immigration and global mobility and her impact within the legal community.
Media mentions
Partner Emily Allen says the new H-1B lottery is driving earlier planning and more detailed preparation.
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger examines how wage-driven selection mechanisms in programs such as the H-1B lottery and PERM can create incentives for artificial wage inflation and introduce new compliance and workforce planning challenges for employers.
Media mentions
Director Gemma Hyslop examines how collaboration across the global mobility sector can help strengthen legal pathways and support for migrant women experiencing abuse.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discussed immigration and duty-of-care challenges for employers amid Middle East travel disruptions.
Awards
Partner Sarah K. Peterson is recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2026 Women in Business honoree for her professional achievements and contributions to the Twin Cities business community.
Media mentions
Immigration Manager Alice Heron explains how HR teams can navigate Irish immigration law and manage international talent effectively.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno and Immigration Consultant Devina Sanghera outline what the proposed expansion of the UK Right to Work Scheme means for housebuilders.
Awards
Partner Cynthia Shearn is recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in its 2026 Notable Women in Law list, honoring her leadership in immigration and global mobility and her impact within the legal community.
Media mentions
Partner Emily Allen says the new H-1B lottery is driving earlier planning and more detailed preparation.
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.