Can I work in Ethiopia with a tourist visa?

No, you cannot use a tourist visa to work in Ethiopia lawfully. Only short-term, leisure travel, like sightseeing or visiting friends and relatives, is permitted with a tourist visa. Employment of any kind, whether paid or unpaid, is illegal and can result in serious consequences, including:

• Immediate deportation
• Heavy fines
• Being banned from re-entering Ethiopia
• Potential imprisonment
• Issues with future visa applications to other countries

If you need to work in Ethiopia, you must apply for a residency permit or a proper work visa in Ethiopia. Usually, your Ethiopian company would support your application and help you get the required permissions. Among the particular prerequisites for a work visa are:

• An employment offer from an Ethiopian enterprise or group.
• approval from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Ethiopia.
• supporting documentation, including proof of schooling, a current passport, and a work contract.

Ethiopia provides a variety of work-related visas, such as:

• NGO Work Visa: For people who have been invited by non-governmental organizations.
• Investment Visa: For those who have been asked to invest in Ethiopian businesses.
• Journalist Visa: For media professionals.
• Foreign Business Visa: For short-term employment (up to one month).

What about short business trips?

If you're just attending meetings, conferences, or doing business consultations (not actual employment), you might be able to use a business visa rather than a full work permit. However, the line can be blurry—always err on the side of caution.

For more details on how to get a work permit in Ethiopia, it's best to consult the Ethiopian embassy or consulate in your country or seek advice from an immigration expert. Don't risk your travel plans or legal status by working on a tourist visa.