Date of publication:
08/21/2025
Ethiopia
Do domestic laws and policies provide access to travel documents and entry/exit visas for family members of forcibly displaced and stateless persons for the purpose of family reunification?
Assessment by population
Analysis
The Ethiopian domestic laws and policies allow the issuance of travel documentation, including entry/exit visas, for family members of refugees for the purpose of family reunification. According to Article 14(3) of the Refugees Proclamation, family members of an asylum-seeker or recognized refugee in Ethiopia are entitled to all the rights and subject to the duties of the refugee or asylum-seeker.
Furthermore, Article 32(2) and (3) of the 2019 Refugee Proclamation specifically entitles recognized refugees and asylum seekers access to travel documents for the purpose of traveling outside of Ethiopia. This right is granted upon a written application to the relevant agency. According to Article 11(1)(g) of the Immigration Proclamation, a refugee travel document is recognized as one of the travel documents to be issued in accordance with immigration laws. Additionally, Article 10(2) of Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004 specifies that a refugee travel document may be issued either for exit only or for re-entry.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Refugees Proclamation No.1110/2019
- Year: 2019
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Freedom of movement, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/decreees/natlegbod/2019/en/30352
Legal provision
Article 14(3) - Unity of the family
A family member of an asylum seeker or recognized refugee in Ethiopia shall be entitled to all the rights and be subject to the duties of the refugee or asylum-seeker. Article 14(3) of the Refugees Proclamation.
Article 32(3) - Identity Paper and Travel Document
The preparation, validity and issuance of refugee travel documents as well as other relevant details thereto of recognized refugees and asylum- seekers shall be determined in accordance with applicable immigration laws as well as international instruments.
Article 32(2) - Identity Paper and Travel Document
Every recognized refugee or asylum-seeker shall be entitled to a travel document for the purpose of travel outside Ethiopia up on written application to the Agency.
Immigration Proclamation No. 354/2003
- Year: 2003
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Freedom of movement
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/docid/44e04ed14.html
Legal provision
Article 11(1) (f) Types and Issuance of Travel documents
Refugees’ travel document shall be one of among the travel documents to be issued in accordance with the Immigration proclamation and regulation.
Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No 114/2004
- Year: 2004
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2004/en/122427
Legal provision
Article 10 Refugee Travel Document
Refugee travel documents shall be issued to persons recognized as refugees in Ethiopia. A refugee travel document may be issued either for exit only or for re-entry.