Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia: Requirements and procedures for a citizen of Ethiopia to obtain an Ethiopian biometric passport in Saudi Arabia; instances in which a passport would not be issued after application
Information on the requirements and procedures for a citizen of Ethiopia to obtain an Ethiopian biometric passport in Saudi Arabia, as well as information on instances in which a passport would not be issued after application could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. However, the following information may be useful.
The websites of the Ethiopian embassies in Ottawa and London, as well as the Consulate General of Ethiopia in Dubai indicate the following application requirements to obtain a new electronic passport:
- Application form (a copy of which is attached to this Response);
- Evidence of Ethiopian citizenship;
- Four recent passport-sized photographs; and
- Fee (Ethiopia n.d.a; ibid. n.d.b; ibid. n.d.c).
In addition, the website of the embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa indicates that Ethiopian nationals who left Ethiopia without a travel document must also submit an additional form when applying for a passport (ibid. n.d.a). A copy of this form is attached to this Response.
The website of the embassy of Ethiopia in London indicates that evidence of Ethiopian citizenship includes an applicant's Ethiopian ID card, birth certificate or previous passport (ibid. n.d.b). The websites of the Ethiopian embassy in London and the Consulate General in Dubai indicate that applicants must apply in person and provide fingerprints at the embassy at the time of application (ibid. n.d.b; ibid. n.d.c), while the website of the Ethiopian embassy in Ottawa notes that applicants can apply in person or by mail and that an applicant's fingerprints can be taken at a local police station (ibid. n.d.a). The website of the Consulate General of Ethiopia in Dubai states that fingerprints are "mandatory" for people 14 years of age or older (ibid.).
The website of the Ethiopian embassy in Ottawa indicates the following application requirements to renew an Ethiopian passport:
- Two copies of [a] duly completed passport renewal application form;
- Expired Ethiopian passport;
- Original residence permit;
- Four recent pictures size 3x4cm; and
- Renewals fee- $ 73.00 CND.
- A self-addressed prepaid return envelope must be attached when an application is submitted by mail.
- The finger print must be submitted by blue and old Ethiopian passport holders and those who were below 14 years of age or who didn't submit finger print while taking their new or machine readable Ethiopian passport. The applicant can take the finger print at the local police station or concerned authorities and authenticated by the notary public or appropriate authorities. (ibid. n.d.a)
The website also indicates that the processing time for a passport renewal is two months after a complete application is submitted (ibid.). Similarly, the website of the Ethiopian Consulate General in Dubai advises that applicants should submit their applications at least two to three months prior to their planned date of travel (ibid. n.d.c).
The website of the embassy of Ethiopia in London outlines the following requirements to renew an Ethiopian passport:
- Application form.
- Application fee.
- Two recent passport-sized colour photographs.
- The old or expired passport must be submitted with the application form (ibid. n.d.b).
The website of the Ethiopian embassy in London also indicates that applications will be processed "within three working days" after submission (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Ethiopia. N.d.a. Embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa. "Passport Service." [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]
Ethiopia. N.d.b. Embassy of Ethiopia in London. "New or Replacement Passport Application." [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]
Ethiopia. N.d.c. Embassy of Ethiopia in Dubai. "Passport Service." [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to contact representatives from the following organizations were unsuccessful: Ethiopia – Embassy in Riyadh; Ethiopian Diaspora Association; Global Alliance for the Rights of Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia.
Representatives from the Ethiopian consulate in Jeddah could not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.
Representatives from the embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa could not provide information.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Arab News; ecoi.net; Ethiopia – Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Euronews; Factiva; Freedom House; The Guardian; Human Rights Watch; Ogaden News; Press TV; United Nations – Refworld; United States – Department of State.
Attachments
1. Ethiopia. N.d. Embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa. "Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs: Application Form." [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]
2. Ethiopia. N.d. Embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa. "Application Form for Ethiopian Nationals Who Left Ethiopia without A Travel Document and Requesting Passport." [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]