Ethiopia has introduced a new 10-year residency permit for foreign investors, signalling a stronger push to attract long-term capital as the country broadens its economic reforms.
The Immigration and Citizenship Service announced the new permit, known as the Golden Visa, as part of a wider strategy to make Ethiopia more competitive in the race for foreign direct investment. Officials say the scheme targets investors whose activities make a significant contribution to the national economy.
The move reflects a growing recognition that investors consider more than tax incentives and market size. They also pay close attention to how easily they can enter a country, how predictable the system is, and whether regulations support long-term planning.
Immigration and Citizenship Service Deputy Director-General Gosa Demissie said the new visa will give high-impact investors long-term stability while reducing the bureaucratic hurdles that often accompany residency and travel. He said the service will issue the permit electronically and keep it valid for 10 years.
The policy comes as Ethiopia continues to reshape parts of its economy in an effort to draw in more capital and expand private sector activity. In recent years, the government has signalled greater openness in areas once tightly controlled, including real estate and financial services. In that context, the Golden Visa forms part of a broader effort to make the country easier to invest in and easier to navigate.
Officials say the visa will cut processing times, remove repetitive procedures and improve service delivery. The system will also give investors quicker entry and exit arrangements, including faster processing at Bole International Airport.
The Immigration and Citizenship Service has tied the new permit to a wider programme of digital and institutional reform. That work includes faster processing options, digital payment systems, improved visa-on-arrival services and efforts to clear older passport backlogs. Officials say they want to build a service culture that is more efficient, more accessible and more aligned with international standards.
The government is also planning a separate five-year property visa for individuals and families who acquire immovable property in Ethiopia. That step would complement its plan to open the real estate sector to foreign nationals and could add another layer to its investor outreach strategy.
The introduction of the Golden Visa sends a clear message about the country’s direction. Ethiopia is not only asking investors to consider its market. It is also building a more practical system around their presence.
Implementation will determine whether the policy delivers its full impact. Long-term visas can build confidence, but investors will still judge the business climate by institutional consistency, clear regulations and the ease of doing business on the ground.
Even so, the decision marks an important signal. Ethiopia wants to present itself as a country ready to compete for serious capital, and it is increasingly aligning its immigration and investment systems with that ambition.
