Addis Ababa, April 18, 2017 (FMC) — In a major policy shift aimed at enhancing security and improving service delivery, Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service has announced that a valid National ID, known as Fayida, will become a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining a passport, effective June 1, 2017.

The Immigration and Citizenship Service disclosed that it has reached an agreement with the National Digital Identity Program (Fayida) to integrate digital ID verification into the passport issuance process. This move is part of broader reform efforts aimed at curbing identity fraud and ensuring the authenticity of personal documents.

Officials stated that requiring a valid National ID number will bolster the integrity of immigration services and streamline access to public services. The new system is designed to make passport services more secure and accessible across the country.

Individuals who have already applied for passport services and are awaiting issuance are advised to register with the Digital Identity Program and obtain a unique service number. To facilitate this, users can either present a printed version of their Fayida ID or show the digital copy on their mobile devices during passport processing.

The National Digital Identity Program emphasized that the new requirement marks a significant step toward modernizing identity management in Ethiopia, with broader benefits for public administration and citizen services.