Addis Ababa - The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia has announced a temporary waiver scheme introduced by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS), offering relief on visa overstay penalties for U.S. citizens of Ethiopian origin.

Effective from March 24 to May 23, 2026, the one-time initiative provides a full waiver of overstay penalties for minors under 18 years of age, while adults will benefit from a 50pc reduction on accrued fines. The measure is intended to facilitate compliance and ease administrative constraints for diaspora Ethiopians residing in or visiting the country.

Eligible applicants are required to present themselves in person at the ICS headquarters, located near the Gotera Interchange in Kirkos Sub-City. Authorities have indicated that the waiver window is strictly limited and will not be extended beyond the announced deadline.

The Embassy advised affected individuals to review application procedures and eligibility requirements through its official communication channels, underscoring the importance of timely compliance with Ethiopian immigration regulations.