For Ethiopian citizens residing in the United States, renewing a passport is an essential process to maintain legal travel and identification. Several resources and procedures are in place to facilitate this process.
Digital Invea is a platform designed to assist the Ethiopian diaspora with passport and origin ID-related services. It offers a secure way to provide necessary details, upload documents, conduct payments, and apply for new passport and renewal services with just a few clicks, typically taking 5 to 10 minutes. All applications are processed through a secured administrative panel at the INVIA centralized office, transforming the manual, time-consuming documentation process into a robust online system.
H.E. Binalf Andualem Ashenef serves as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United States of America. He has held several high-ranking positions in the Ethiopian government, including:
- Minister of Peace (2021-2024)
- Chief Coordinator for Democracy Building under the Prime Minister’s Office (2018-2020)
- Deputy President of Amhara Regional State (2012-2017)
In the legislative sector, he has been a member of the House of People’s Representatives since 2021 and previously served in the Federation Council and Amhara Regional Council from 2011 to 2020.
Important Considerations for Visa Applicants
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa requires all visa applicants to follow specific procedures. It is important to bring all required original documents to your case prescreening and interview. A checklist is often provided to help applicants gather what they need. After arriving, applicants will undergo a security screening, and no personal items are allowed into the Consular waiting area.
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Applicants with scheduled appointments should contact the National Visa Center via the Public Inquiry Form to request or confirm their appointment. Registering appointments online is necessary to provide the information needed to return passports after the interview. This registration is free.
Medical Examinations
All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, must undergo a medical examination prior to visa issuance. The U.S. Embassy provides a list of designated doctor’s offices in Ethiopia for this purpose. The medical examination includes a medical history review, physical examination, chest X-ray, gonorrhea test, and blood test (for applicants 15 years of age or older). Tuberculosis (TB) testing is required for applicants two years of age and older.
It is important to allow at least 21 days to complete the medical examination process. Applicants should not book appointments earlier than three months before their scheduled visa interview. All medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood tests, are the applicant's responsibility. Any x-rays taken will be given to you, and you do not need to bring them to the visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB).
Required Vaccinations
U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations before a visa can be issued. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their medical history, medications, and current treatments.
Additional Evidence
To prevent delays, it is helpful to provide additional evidence of the petitioner’s finances, such as tax records for the last three years, job letters specifying salary and length of employment, W-2 forms, and/or payment stubs. Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant is also essential, and it must be authentic.
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Important Documents
- Copy of J1 visa: If you have ever traveled to the United States on a J1 Non-Immigrant Visa, please provide a copy of that visa when you arrive at the embassy for interview.
- Police Certificate: If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence.
Affidavit of Support
If immigrating to the United States through employment (such as EB1), the I-864 Affidavit of Support (AOS) is generally not required unless a relative filed the IV petition or has at least a 5% ownership interest in the business that filed the petition. Employers should confirm that the employment offer is still valid and available at the time of the interview.
Visa Interview
A consular officer makes a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. The petition’s beneficiary must show a valid relationship, prove their age and identity, and meet all requirements, such as education or work experience. There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued.
If unable to attend an appointment, reschedule through ais.usvisa-info.com or by calling +251 011 558 2424. Note that there may be a significant wait for the next available appointment. Register the original NVC/KCC appointment online before rescheduling.
Security Procedures at the Embassy
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa has strict security procedures. To avoid delays, bring only what is required for the interview. Prohibited items should be stored elsewhere before entering the consular section. Visa appointment holders must have an appointment confirmation page and may not be admitted more than 30 minutes before their appointment. After security screening, applicants will be directed to the consular waiting area.
Visa Fees
The fee for an Immigrant Visa (IV) is USD 325.00 per person, or the equivalent in local currency. IV applicants must pay this fee on the day of the prescreening if the petitioner (sponsor) did not pay it in advance. The Diversity Visa (DV) fee is USD 330.00 per person. Fees are nonrefundable if the visa is denied.
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Post-Interview Procedures
If the visa is approved, the embassy will keep the passport to prepare the immigration packet and print the visa. The passport will be returned via courier services. Review the visa to ensure there are no spelling errors and that the name matches the passport exactly. The sealed immigrant packet must be carried with you and presented to U.S. immigration authorities upon arrival in the United States. Do not open this envelope or put it in checked luggage.
USCIS Immigrant Fee
Before traveling to the United States, pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This fee is for processing residency status and printing the Permanent Resident Card.
Travel Guidelines
You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, typically six months from the date of printing. For certain visa categories (F11, F21, FX1, F24, F31, F41, E11, E21, SE1, or DV1), the principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Your visa is single-entry and not renewable.
Permanent Resident Card
Upon entry to the USA, you will receive a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year.
Information for Families
Children in the United States are required to have certain vaccinations before enrolling in school. Bring your child’s complete vaccination records. If your child is adopted, or you share custody with another parent, bring copies of all applicable adoption or custody papers.
Additional Instructions for Diversity Visa (DV) Applicants
If interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all the above instructions apply, along with the following:
- $330 cash payment for the Diversity Visa Application Fee for each visa applicant.
- Evidence of educational qualifications or qualifying work experience.
Qualified work experience is defined as at least two years of full-time employment during the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of college training or experience. It is very difficult to fulfill the educational requirements based on work experience. Refer to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Skills List at www.onetonline.org.
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa cannot verify educational or work experiences that occurred in Somalia. Submitting fraudulent documents will result in visa ineligibility. Documents are subject to independent verification by trained professionals.
Reviewing E-DV Entry
Prior to your visa interview, review the data on your initial E-DV entry. Ensure you correctly entered your marital status and listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family.
Nonrefundable Fees
All fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application.
By following these guidelines, Ethiopian citizens can navigate the passport renewal process and visa application procedures in the United States more effectively.
