Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) is set to launch a 10‑year “golden visa” for foreign investors during the current fiscal year that began on July 8, 2026.
Applicants must meet one of two investment thresholds:
- $10 million in a qualifying investment, or
- $5 million plus a “substantial” amount of local job creation (exact job‑creation quotas are still being defined).
The card‑based residence permit carries a $10,000 processing fee, with an express option for $12,500 and a premium “home service” delivery option.
Operational status and timeline
- The Council of Ministers and the House of Peoples’ Representatives have approved the enabling proclamations and regulatory amendments.
- The ICS is finalising an operational directive with the Ministry of Justice, which will detail job‑creation quotas, sector‑specific requirements, and grounds for visa revocation on security grounds.
- Technical infrastructure, including physical card personalization, is being built.
- Issuance of the golden visa is expected before the end of the 2026/27 fiscal year (July 2027).
Property ownership route
A separate, lower‑cost residence pathway was introduced after a July 2025 law (effective October 2025) allowing foreign nationals to purchase residential property. Requirements include:
- Minimum purchase price of $150,000 per house, paid in convertible foreign currency through Ethiopian banks.
- Ownership is limited to the building; the underlying land remains state‑owned and is leased to the buyer.
- Qualifying owners receive a multiple‑entry property visa valid for up to five years.
Citizenship prospects
- No citizenship pathway is currently linked to either the golden visa or the property visa.
- Under ordinary law, a foreign national may apply for naturalisation after four years of legal residence, provided they demonstrate language proficiency, lawful income, and good conduct.
- Ethiopia does not recognise dual nationality; naturalisation requires renouncing existing citizenship. It remains unclear whether future regulations will create exceptions for golden‑visa holders.
Comparative context in Africa
Ethiopia’s $10 million threshold is markedly higher than other African residency or citizenship‑by‑investment programs:
| Country | Program | Minimum investment |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | Investor visa | $50,000 |
| Mauritius | Permanent residence (real estate) | $375,000 |
| Egypt | Citizenship (donation) | $250,000 |
| Namibia | Real‑estate residence | $316,000 |
| Seychelles | Business investment | $1,000,000 |
| Sierra Leone | Fast‑track citizenship | $140,000 |
| Cape Verde | Green Card (real estate) | $94,000 |
| Mozambique | 10‑year investor visa | $5,000,000 (no job‑creation condition) |
Mauritius is preparing its own golden‑visa scheme requiring a $1 million investment within 12 months and granting a two‑year renewable multiple‑entry visa, still far below Ethiopia’s headline figure.
Global comparison
- Singapore – Global Investor Programme: S$10 million (≈ US$7.7 million) for a business route, leading directly to permanent residence and possible citizenship after two years.
- New Zealand – Active Investor Plus visa: NZ$10 million (≈ US$5.8 million) leading to permanent residence.
Both programs provide clearer pathways to permanent status or citizenship, whereas Ethiopia’s offering is limited to a renewable 10‑year residence card with no announced route to permanent residence or naturalisation.
Key considerations for prospective investors
- Investment size: $10 million is an outlier in the region; the $5 million‑plus‑jobs option may be more attainable but still requires meeting yet‑to‑be‑specified employment quotas.
- Processing fees: $10,000 standard, $12,500 for expedited handling.
- Legal framework: Land remains state‑owned; property purchases confer leasehold rights only.
- Citizenship: No direct link; naturalisation after four years demands renunciation of existing citizenship.
- Timeline: Visa issuance anticipated by July 2027, pending final regulatory details.
Investors should monitor the forthcoming operational directive for precise job‑creation requirements, sector allocations, and revocation criteria before committing capital.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
