India and Ethiopia have put into force the long-pending Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for holders of diplomatic passports, allowing senior officials of both governments to travel visa-free between the two countries from 15 January 2026.
The pact was originally signed in February 2021 but required domestic ratification on both sides. After the exchange of diplomatic notes this week, eligible diplomats can now enter, exit, and transit without the need to obtain a visa or pay consular fees, provided their passports remain valid for at least six months and they are not undertaking remunerated employment. The stay is capped at 90 days per visit but can be renewed once every 180 days.
![India and Ethiopia Activate Reciprocal Visa-Free Travel for Diplomatic Passport Holders]()
For Indian ministries that regularly send delegations to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa—or for Ethiopian officials liaising with India on education, defence, and space-co-operation projects—the waiver removes a layer of paperwork and last-minute uncertainty. It also aligns with India’s wider “Africa Focus” strategy, which uses facilitated mobility to deepen political and commercial ties across the continent. Ethiopian authorities see similar benefits: the two countries inaugurated direct Addis Ababa–Delhi passenger flights in 2025, and a Business Visa Waiver for C-suite executives is reportedly under negotiation.
Practically, embassies have advised diplomats to carry an official note verbale confirming their assignment and to pre-book arrival appointments for the photograph/fingerprint registration now required at Bole International Airport. Corporate global-mobility managers should note that the waiver does not extend to ordinary passports; business travellers must still secure the appropriate visa in advance.
Indian companies with development projects in Ethiopia—especially in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and information technology parks—say the change will speed up site visits by senior managers and government liaisons, helping projects stay on schedule and maintain compliance with local regulators.
The pact was originally signed in February 2021 but required domestic ratification on both sides. After the exchange of diplomatic notes this week, eligible diplomats can now enter, exit, and transit without the need to obtain a visa or pay consular fees, provided their passports remain valid for at least six months and they are not undertaking remunerated employment. The stay is capped at 90 days per visit but can be renewed once every 180 days.
For Indian ministries that regularly send delegations to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa—or for Ethiopian officials liaising with India on education, defence, and space-co-operation projects—the waiver removes a layer of paperwork and last-minute uncertainty. It also aligns with India’s wider “Africa Focus” strategy, which uses facilitated mobility to deepen political and commercial ties across the continent. Ethiopian authorities see similar benefits: the two countries inaugurated direct Addis Ababa–Delhi passenger flights in 2025, and a Business Visa Waiver for C-suite executives is reportedly under negotiation.
Practically, embassies have advised diplomats to carry an official note verbale confirming their assignment and to pre-book arrival appointments for the photograph/fingerprint registration now required at Bole International Airport. Corporate global-mobility managers should note that the waiver does not extend to ordinary passports; business travellers must still secure the appropriate visa in advance.
Indian companies with development projects in Ethiopia—especially in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and information technology parks—say the change will speed up site visits by senior managers and government liaisons, helping projects stay on schedule and maintain compliance with local regulators.
Source: Shega News
