The Refugees Proclamation, under article 41, states that the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) may facilitate local integration of recognized individual refugees or groups of refugees who have lived in Ethiopia for protracted period. As per article 2/12, the Proclamation defines “local integration” as a process by which refugees who have lived in Ethiopia for a protracted period are provided, up on their request, with permanent residence permit to facilitate their broader integration with Ethiopian nationals until they fully attain durable solutions to their problems.  

The Immigration Proclamation No. 354/2003 and the Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004 provides (article 26-29) have detailed provisions in relation to issuance of permanent and temporary residence permits. The Immigration Proclamation, as per article 14/1/b, exempts refugees from registration, which is a mandatory requirement for issuance of residence permit. The Immigration Regulation, under article 26 and 28, provides that any foreigner who has established domicile and lived in Ethiopia for three years preceding the submission of the application, with a sufficient and lawful source of income to maintain himself and his family, and with good character can apply for permanent residence. However, in case of a refugee married to an Ethiopian national, as per article 28(3), permanent residence permit may be issued if there is a lapse of at least one year since the conclusion of the marriage. 

According to article 28/5 of the Immigration Regulation, a refugee who has obtained a permanent residence permit shall be issued with a work or an investment permit in accordance with the appropriate laws. Pursuant to Article 41 of the 2019 Refugee Proclamation, it is RRS that is mandated to facilitate local integration. However, RRS needs to coordinate with the Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS) which has the mandate to issue permanent residence permit in accordance with Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004.