E-passport services are set to officially launch in January, with all necessary preparations already finalized. This announcement was made during a performance report released today.
Selamawit Dawit, the Director General of the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service, shared that the online passport registration system is currently handling over 7,000 applications each day, while the e-Visa service continues to function seamlessly.
The Director General emphasized that the trial phase for e-passports has already begun, with the goal of a full rollout by January. This initiative represents a significant advancement in the passport issuance process.
Additionally, she highlighted ongoing efforts to address persistent challenges in service delivery, noting that a series of reforms and improvements have been implemented to enhance the quality of services. These changes include a restructuring of the immigration system and updates to immigration laws aimed at facilitating substantial improvements.
Moreover, the Service announced that passports for citizens aged 25 and older will soon be valid for 10 years, in line with the new operational guidelines. This change is expected to minimize the frequency of passport renewals for individuals who may not use their passports frequently, ultimately reducing associated costs.
ENA reported citing the director general that in the past three months, over 200,000 visitors have been granted visas to enter Ethiopia, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year.
Selamawit attributed this growth to the rising number of travelers arriving in Addis Ababa, indicating a positive trend in tourism for the country.