Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 ▲ | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-2 ▲ | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 3 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| E-1 2 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 6 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
▲.
Note: Bearers of diplomatic or official passports are entitled to visas valid for
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Applications |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths is not automatic in Ethiopia. The documentation of these events is relatively new and largely confined to urban areas, and even genuinely-issued documents can be obtained with false information due to the lack of a centralized database. A church-issued document, an acknowledgment from one's district, and affidavits from three witnesses, all of which can be obtained for a price, are sufficient evidence for issuance of certificates. Relationships are rarely investigated for veracity. With the exception of divorce decrees, all certificates are available in the local language, English, or English-local language combinations.
Availability: Available only to those born in Ethiopia.
Fees: 20 Birr
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal , circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Events Registration Certification Service Officer
Registration Criteria: Birth records are maintained at the District level. Requests for copies of previously issued birth certificates should be addressed to the issuing District in which the birth was registered. For children up to 18 years old, parents can register their children’s birth in the District by presenting a hospital birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or school document to obtain a birth certificate. Any of the above documents and an identity card are required for issuance of birth certificates for persons over the age of eighteen.
Procedure for Obtaining: The above documents and an identity card are satisfactory for issuance of birth certificates from districts.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: If a person resides abroad and has not changed his citizenship, he can delegate a member of his family to get a birth certificate from his family District. The person requesting the certificate must have a Power of Attorney in addition to the required documents mentioned above. Former Ethiopians who have changed their citizenship are required to submit a passport, visa or residence permit copy in addition to the required documents mentioned above for issuance or replacement of a birth certificate from a District.
Comments: For citizens of other countries, new or replacement birth certificates are available only to those physically present in Ethiopia.
Available: Available.
Fees: 20 Birr for Ethiopians and 300 Birr for foreigners
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency (EX, in Addis Ababa 117 Districts)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal ,circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Events Registration Certification Service Officer
Registration Criteria: If the death occurred at home, acknowledgement of dwellers association (Eder) or three witnesses, and a certificate from the church indicating where the body is buried, are required for issuance of a death certificate from the District. If the death occurred in a hospital, a death certificate issued by the hospital and a church or burial site certificate is required for the issuance of a death certificate from the District.
Procedure for Obtaining: Submit the necessary documents to the District.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: Foreigners are required to submit passport and visa or residence permit copy in addition to hospital death certificate for issuance of death certificate from the District.
Comments: None
Available: Only available to those physically present in Ethiopia. Requests should be addressed to the District where the marriage was originally registered.
Fees: 50 Birr for Ethiopians and 300 Birr for foreigners
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal , circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Events Registration Certification Service Officer
Registration Criteria: Physical presence of the bride and groom at the District with their IDs and two witnesses for each is required and will be registered in the log book. If the couple was married in a traditional or religious ceremony, the bride and groom may register and get Civil Marriage Certificates at the District.
Procedure for Obtaining: Requests should be addressed to the District where the marriage was originally registered.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents
Exceptions: Foreigners are required to submit passport and visa/residence permit copy, and a free-to-marry certificate authenticated by the State Secretary and U.S. Department of State for the issuance of a marriage certificate from a District.
Comments: Available only to those physically present in Ethiopia.
Available
Fees: 50 Birr
Document Name: Divorce Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal ,circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Events Registration Certification Service Officer
Registration Criteria: Need to present court decree to the District to issue a Divorce Certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: Presentation of court decree
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Most marriages in Ethiopia are religious in nature and sometimes customary. Nevertheless, a civil divorce procedure is mandatory for all divorces to be effective.
Obtaining a divorce is a lengthy process in Ethiopia. Each party must have two appointed family arbiters, acceptable to the court. The first priority of the family arbiters is to attempt to reunite the husband and wife. If this is not possible, they will then negotiate agreements for property settlement and child custody. The arbiters must present the agreement to the court for a final decision. Upon presentation of the court's ruling and a copy of the judgments signed by all parties involved, the municipality will issue a Divorce Certificate in the Amharic language only.
Available: Available only to those present in Ethiopia.
Fees: 20 Birr for Ethiopian and 300 Birr for foreigners
Document Name: Adoption Certificate
Issuing Authority: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal, circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Registration Criteria: Authenticated Adoption Contract signed between the adoption agency and orphanage naming the adoptive parents, or in cases of intra-family adoption an Adoption Contract between the adoptive parents and relinquishing birth relative. The court decree, plus a form letter from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs acknowledging the adoption and requesting that anyone receiving the letter assist the adoptive parents as appropriate, must be affixed to the Adoption Contract in order to issue the Adoption Certificate. The Federal First Instance Court is the approving authority for all intercountry adoptions.
Procedure for Obtaining: Presentation of court decree and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs document to the District will issue Adoption Certificate.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: For foreigners, the adoptive parents must be present at the District in person with the court decree and women’s affairs documents to obtain the Adoption Certificate.
Comments: None.
Available: Identity cards are issued by Districts to those eighteen and older. There is no uniform identification document.
Fees: 10 Birr
Document Name: District (Woreda) ID card
Issuing Authority: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal, circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Events Statics Registration Agency
Registration Criteria: For children 18 years and older who reside in the District, parents or any household member can register.
Procedure for Obtaining: Presentation of parents’ ID card and registration.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None.
Comments: There is no uniform identification document.
Available: Certificates of Good Conduct from the federal police are available to anyone who is 18 years or older who is/was in Ethiopia for more than 6 months.
Fees: 10 Birr
Document Name: Certificate of Good Conduct
Issuing Authority: Ethiopian Federal Police Commission Forensic Investigation Department
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal, circle stamp, and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ethiopian Federal Police Commission Forensic Investigation Department
Registration Criteria: Applicants must submit one passport-size photos, a valid ID card, and a letter requesting the investigation for a police certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Forensic Investigation Department with the above listed documents to acquire a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: Foreigners requesting Certificates of Good Conduct must bring a supporting document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
Comments: Available to anyone who is 18 years or older and is/was in Ethiopia for more than six months. Individuals who were in Ethiopia for more than six months, but are no longer in Ethiopia may send their fingerprints (taken by an authorized entity such as a police department) in addition to the above documents, plus one photo to the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission Forensic Investigation Department in a sealed envelope to request a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Unavailable.
Available: To persons released from prison.
Fees: No Fee.
Document Name: Official Release Record
Issuing Authority: Prison Administration of the prison at which the person was detained.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal and blue color
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Prison Administrator
Registration Criteria: Persons released from prison are normally given an Official Release Record.
Procedure for Obtaining: Persons released from prison are normally given an Official Release Record.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: If the person is released by pardon, the issuing authority is the Office of the President.
Comments: None.
Available: In principle, any person who has served in the military is given a letter of discharge. Military records are generally are available.
Fees: No fee.
Document Name: Letter of Discharge
Issuing Authority: Military Personnel Department
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: No special seal/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Military Personnel Department officer
Registration Criteria: Any person who has served in the military is given a letter of discharge, which indicates his/her reason for discharge (retired, disciplinary discharge, or medically unfit)
Procedure for Obtaining: Depends on the above reason.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None.
Comments: In principle, any person who has served in the military is given a letter of discharge upon completion of his/her service.
Available: Passports are issued by the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs (MDINA) for a five-year period.
Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic, Official
Fees: 600 Birr
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Dry seal
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs
Registration Criteria: Submit ID card and Birth Certificate
Procedure for Obtaining: Submit ID card and Birth Certificate
Alternate Documents: There are no Alternate Documents.
Exceptions: None.
Comments: An Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate may replace passports multiple times for the same validity period.
Other Documents Available: In emergency cases and for one-way travel only, Ethiopian Embassies or Consulates may issue a “laissez passer” valid for six months.
Not applicable.
Post Title: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Embassy)
Address: Entoto Avenue
P.O. Box 1014
Addis Ababa
Phone Number: Tel: 251-11-130 6000, Fax: 251-11-124 2435
Visa Services: All visa categories for Ethiopia. US Embassy Addis Ababa also conducts Immigrant Visa issuances for Eritreans.
Comments / Additional Information: None
All visa categories for all of Ethiopia.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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