Ethiopia Revises Passport Fees, Standard Issuance Now Costs 5,000 Birr

Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) has updated its passport issuance fees. The cost for a new passport has risen to 5,000 birr, with an expedited service available for 25,000 birr, which ensures delivery within two days. ICS announced that these revised fees will take effect starting August 7, 2024.

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This fee adjustment follows the Council of Ministers’ approval of the service fee amendment. Under the new structure, the fees are set as follows: 5,000 birr for a new passport or renewal, 25,000 birr for urgent delivery within two days, and 20,000 birr for delivery within five days. Other services may cost up to 40,000 birr, while replacing a lost passport will cost 13,000 birr.

The Immigration and Citizenship Service has often been a source of frustration for both locals and foreigners, with many Ethiopians having to postpone or cancel travel plans due to delays in passport issuance.

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The new premium service aims to provide a more efficient solution for obtaining travel documents to those willing to pay extra. However, the revised urgent delivery fee represents a 500% increase from the previous 5,000-birr rate, while the standard passport issuance and renewal fees have increased by 150% from the previous 2,000-birr.

ICS also plans to introduce an E-Passport next year, which aims to prevent the use of counterfeit passports and enhance the security and reliability of Ethiopia’s travel documents.