Ethiopia at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | No travel ban; affected by the 2026 immigrant visa pause (set aside by a court, under appeal) |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Terminated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa processes both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas and is a regional visa hub. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Ethiopia right now
- TPS for Ethiopia was terminated in December 2025, and court challenges largely lost force after the Supreme Court's Mullin v. Doe ruling in June 2026.
- Ethiopia was on the State Department's January 2026 immigrant-visa pause for 75 countries, which a federal court set aside in August 2026 while the government's appeal is pending.
- Ethiopia has E-1 and E-2 treaty status, and B-1/B-2 applicants have been subject to the visa bond program since April 2, 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Ethiopia
Marriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsGreen card lottery (DV)Yearly random drawing for green cards from lower-immigration countriesAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest inTPSTemporary protection for nationals of designated countries
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Ethiopia visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Ethiopia is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Ethiopia get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Ethiopia has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Ethiopia enter the green card lottery?
Ethiopia was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Ethiopia have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa processes both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas and is a regional visa hub.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Ethiopia?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Africa
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.