The Refugee Proclamation, as per article 32(2) and (3), provides for refugees’ right to travel documents for the purpose of travel outside Ethiopia up on written application to the RRS. The Refugee Proclamation made issuance of travel document a right of refugees leaving the specific details to relevant immigration laws and international instruments.   According to article 11(1) (f) of the immigration proclamation refugee travel document is one of the travel documents to be issued in accordance with the Immigration proclamation and regulation and according to article 10 (2) of Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004, a refugee travel document may be issued either for exit only or for re-entry. 

The Immigration Proclamation requires possession of a valid travel document for any foreigner who wants to depart from and enter into Ethiopia.  The Proclamation further mentions that travel documents to be issued by the Security, Immigration and Refugee Affairs Authority in accordance with the immigration Proclamation and accompanying Regulation includes refugee travel document., Article 11 (1)(h) of the immigration regulation  provides  that refugee travel document has the validity period of one year. 

The Regulation also states that the Security, Immigration and Refugee Affairs Authority (now, INVERA) shall be responsible for the determination of the form and content of all travel documents and for their production. There are no other requirements for successful application for travel documents other than completing the application form prepared for this purpose, producing ID card and furnishing one’s photograph and finger print. Refugees are not expected to pay application fee for issuance of travel documents. Thus, while the Immigration Proclamation and the accompanying Regulation are not refugee specific laws, they are broad enough to accommodate refugees’ right to be issued with a Travel Document for the purpose of international travel.