Date of publication:
04/07/2025
Ethiopia
Do domestic laws and policies impose fees for the issuance of a travel document?
Assessment by population
Analysis
The Refugee Proclamation, under article 37(1), provides that recognized refugees and asylum seekers shall not be subjected to imposition of charges or fees higher than imposed on nationals in the same circumstances. Like Article 29(1) of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Article 37 (1) of the 2019 Refugees Proclamation affords refugees the same treatment as nationals with respect to fiscal charges. Article 37(2) of the Refugee Proclamation adopts a more liberal stance than Article 29(2) of the Convention by envisaging the possibility of exemption of fees for identity documents, travel documents, exit visas and similar services for refugees and asylum-seekers who cannot afford to pay. The Immigration Regulations, under schedule 1(No.8), provides that refugees are entitled to receive travel document free of charge.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
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
Schedule 1 No. 8 fees payable for Travel documents
The fee for the issuance of refugees’ travel document shall be free of charges.
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 37 (1) and (2) Fiscal Charges
(1) Recognized refugees and asylum-seekers shall not be subject to imposition of any duty, charge or tax, of any description whatsoever, higher than imposed on nationals in the same circumstances. (2) Without prejudice to the provision of sub-Article (1), the Agency may provide, to recognized refugees and asylum-seekers who are unable to pay the prescribed fee, with identity documents, travel documents, exit visas and similar services free of charge.