Ethiopia is joining a growing group of African countries adopting investor-residency programmes similar to those in Singapore and Saudi Arabia, with plans to begin issuing 10-year Golden Visas during its 2026/27 fiscal year at one of the continent’s highest financial entry thresholds.
Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service plans to begin issuing 10-year Golden Visas during the 2026/27 fiscal year, which started on July 8, as East Africa’s second-largest economy seeks to attract high-value foreign investment.
According to local media reports, applicants will be required to invest at least $10 million. Investors committing $5 million may also qualify if their projects create a significant number of local jobs.
A standard application will attract a $10,000 processing fee, while express handling will cost $12,500. Applicants may also choose a premium home-delivery service.
Importantly, the processing charge is separate from the investment requirement, despite early reports that treated the $10,000 fee as the minimum investment.
