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Live And Work
In Ethiopia

Here are some tips to help you settle well in Ethiopia

Live And Work In Ethiopia

  • Visa and Immigration Requirements

    Investors are required to secure a business or investment visa to enter Ethiopia business purposes. Investors can apply for various types of business visas that that vary from 30-days to 12-months. Applications for Business Visas for Ethiopia can be made online, or in person at an embassy or consulate. Please visit www.evisa.gov.et to learn more about visa procedures and application.

  • Health Requirements

    A yellow fever certificate is required when investors arrive from selected African destinations (please visit www.evisa.gov.et to ensure whether a yellow fever certificate is needed). In addition, vaccination against cholera is required for people who are visiting or transiting from a cholera infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia. Please consult your diplomatic missions about health requirements before departing to Ethiopia.

  • Public Holidays

    Public holidays are celebrated according to the Ethiopian (Julian) Calendar, which consists of the following:

    Date Public holidays Remarks
    September 11 Ethiopian New Year National holiday
    September 27 The Finding of the True Cross (Meskel) Christian holiday
    October 26 Id Al Adaha (Arafa) Muslim holiday
    January 7 Ethiopian Christmas Christian holiday
    January 19 Ethiopian Epiphany Christian holiday
    January 24 Prophet Mohamed’s Birthday (Maulid) Muslim holiday
    March 2 Victory of Adwa National holiday
    May 1 International Labor Day National holiday
    May 3 Ethiopian Good Friday Christian holiday
    May 5 Ethiopian Patriots day National holiday
    May 5 Easter Christian holiday
    May 28 Downfall of the Derg National holiday
    August 8 Id Al Fater (Ramadan) Muslim holiday
  • Business Hours

    Government
    Government offices work 39 hours a week. Office hours extend from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Lunch breaks are from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Fridays.

    Banks
    Most banks are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including lunch hours, Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

    Shops
    Most shops are open until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Some shops, particularly supermarkets, are open on Sundays and public holidays.

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