Passports

On October 1, 2001 a new Dutch passport was introduced. Until then, the Embassy registered the passport applications and printed travel documents. Nowadays, the Embassy registers the passport applications, but the passports are produced in the Netherlands. As a result, it takes ten working days between the application and the delivery of the new passport. We recommend you to submit your application for a new passport well in advance. Entering children (aged 15 years or younger) in your passport requires the same procedure as a new passport application. To deal with your application as fast as possible, you are advised to make an appointment via telephone number : 011 3 711100.

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Irrespective of age, any Dutch national can apply for a national passport. An application for a passport of a minor needs to be signed by both parents or guardians. Entering children in a passport is being done with a sticker on which, besides other details, a picture of the child is printed.

As from October 1, 2001 the following rules apply:

1. All applicants (including babies and children) need to be present when applying for a passport for a child or when applying for entering a child into your passport.
2. Passport photos may be in colour or in black-and-white. Contrary to the past, the applicant should look straight into the lens when the photo is taken. Photos taken sideways-on are no longer accepted.
3. Children younger than 15 year can be entered in the passports of both parents. However, you are advised to apply for a private passport for your child. This way your child may travel with another person if the occasion calls for it. Photos taken sideways-on are no longer accepted.

With the application for a passport or for entering a child in a passport, you need to submit the following documents:

1. A filled in and signed passport application form, to be filled in by you in person at the Embassy, and the travel document that needs to be replaced. If the travel document is missing or stolen, you need to present a police report of the loss or theft.
2. Two recent passport photos, either in colour or in black-and-white. The photos be " full face", i.e. you need to look straight into the lens when the photo is taken. Photos taken sideways-on are not accepted.
3. For first applications you need to bring a recent and legalised birth certificate and a legalised marriage certificate of the parents.

The passport fees need to be paid in advance in Ethiopian Birr.

You find more information on this subject at www.paspoortinformatie.com or with the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa.

Lost passport

You have to report the loss or theft of your passport with the local police as soon as possible. You need to ask for a the police report. If this report is in Amharic, an official translation is necessary. The report and if necessary the translation, need to be submitted to the Embassy when you apply for a new passport. If the lost passport was not issued by the Embassy in Addis Ababa, the personal details will be checked with the authority that issued the lost document. After this check the Embassy may decide to issue a temporary travel document or send an application for a new passport to the Netherlands.

Visas for Ethiopia

Dutch nationals have the opportunity to receive a visa at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. When you enter Ethiopia at one of the other border-crossings you need to have a valid visa, issued by one of the Ethiopian consular representations abroad. It is advisable to have a visa before you enter via Bole International Airport though, as the queues for the visa desk can be very long.

Visas are issued for a maximum of 30 days and can be extended for 30 days twice.

Residence permits for Ethiopia

Anyone who wants to settle in Ethiopia for a longer period, needs a visa that is valid for 60 days. Within those 60 days you need to apply for a residence permit for a longer period. You need to attach a letter of a sponsor in Ethiopia to the application for the permit. The residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year and has to be extended with a year. You do not need to start the application procedure outside Ethiopia.

Visas for the Netherlands

Nationals from a number of countries, including Ethiopia, need to have a valid entry visa at arrival in the Netherlands. This visa can be valid for a maximum of 90 days if a number of conditions are met and if it is issued by a Dutch diplomatic representation abroad. In principle the visa is valid for the following countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Finland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France (i.e. the Schengen-countries). If your main destination within the Schengen-territory is another country than the Netherlands, you need to submit your visa application with the Embassy of the country concerned.

Residence permits for the Netherlands

For a stay in the Netherlands that will be longer than 90 days, you need a MVV (a temporary residence authorisation). The application procedure can be started with a Netherlands Embassy in the country of origin or by the referent in the Netherlands. The decision on the application has to be awaited in the country of origin. During the application procedure and before coming to the Netherlands, it is checked whether the applicant meets the criteria for a stay in the Netherlands. The MVV is a visa that is put in the passport and is only valid for the Netherlands. If you will travel through another Schengen-country on your journey to the Netherlands, this visa can be provide with a transit for the Schengen-countries. With the MVV you will get access to the Netherlands at the border. Within three working days after entering the country, you need to apply for a VTV (temporary residence permit) with the aliens office of the police in the new place of residence. You will receive a VTV if you meet all conditions for staying in the Netherlands. Applications for a VTV without a valid MVV will not be dealt with and the applicant will have to leave the Netherlands.

Attention:

You need to apply for a MVV in person and you need to await the decision on your application in Ethiopia.

More information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Temporary Referendum Act

On January 1, 2002, the Temporary Referendum Act has become active. In accordance to this act, Dutch nationals living abroad are entitled to participate in a vote for a national referendum and are entitled to bring forward and support a request for a national referendum. You can ask for a form at the Embassy.