VIP Door-to-Door Passport Delivery Service to Launch in Ethiopia This September
Immigration and Citizenship Service Enhances Operations Amid Record High Passport Issuances and Upcoming E-Passport System Introduction
In a significant move aimed at improving customer service and convenience, Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service has announced the launch of a door-to-door passport delivery service for VIP customers, set to begin in September 2024. This new service will cater to all citizens willing to pay additional fees, providing a personalized and efficient solution for obtaining travel documents.
Record-Breaking Year for Passport Issuance
Over the past 12 months, the Immigration and Citizenship Service has issued more than one million passports, marking a record-breaking year for the institution. According to the annual performance statement, 1.1 million passports were distributed during the 2016 fiscal year, the highest number ever achieved by the service. This accomplishment generated 14.7 billion birr in revenue from passport and related service fees.
Operational Improvements and Capacity Expansion
Despite facing ongoing complaints from both the House of Representatives and customers, the Immigration and Citizenship Service has made significant strides in enhancing its procedures. Director General Selamawit Dawit highlighted that recent improvements have increased the daily passport printing capacity from 2,000 to 14,000. As a result, new passport applicants in Ethiopia can now expect to receive their passports within two months.
Upcoming E-Passport System
Looking ahead, the service plans to introduce the E-Passport system next year. This initiative aims to eliminate the use of fake passports and documents, further enhancing the security and reliability of Ethiopia’s travel documents.
Revised Passport Fee Tariff
Starting August 1, 2024, the Immigration and Citizenship Service will implement a revised passport fee tariff. This adjustment is part of a broader effort to streamline operations and improve service delivery for Ethiopian citizens.
Lifting of Long-Standing Travel Bans
In another notable development, the Immigration and Citizenship Service announced the lifting of travel bans for 10,000 individuals who were previously restricted from entering or leaving the country. These bans, some dating back to 1978, were lifted under new authority recently approved by the House of Representatives. The new decree grants the Director General of Immigration and Nationality Services the authority to impose restrictions on individuals deemed to affect national interests.
Addressing Legal Concerns
The new decree has faced criticism from legal experts, prompting an explanation from Director General Selamawit Dawit. She clarified that the previous procedure of suspending the immigration and citizenship service has been revised, and the new decree now assigns this responsibility directly to the director general.
Combating Illegal Residency
In April, Ethiopia deported over 18,000 foreign nationals living illegally in the country. The Immigration and Citizenship Service revealed that these individuals were expelled due to falsified residency permits. The report presented to the House of People’s Representatives highlighted that some individuals were involved in creating and selling counterfeit residency documents for financial gain, while others engaged in illegal activities under the guise of investment permits.
The introduction of the VIP door-to-door passport delivery service, coupled with operational improvements and the upcoming E-Passport system, reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing its immigration services and ensuring the integrity of its travel documents. As the country continues to modernize its operations, citizens can look forward to more efficient and secure passport services.
