Foreign nationals employed by either domestic or foreign companies in Ethiopia are required to obtain a work permit before engaging in any employment activities. The Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) issues work permits for expatriates working for domestic companies, whereas the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) is responsible for processing work permits for expatriates employed by foreign companies. Once the work permit is issued, the expatriate must apply for a temporary residence permit at the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services.
While the process may appear straightforward, administrative bureaucracies, document verification requirements, and system inefficiencies warrants the involvement of legal professionals to facilitate and expedite the issuance of permits.