Is Your Ethiopian Passport Ready?
Your passport might be ready for pickup. Before you go, check the schedule. Ethiopian Immigration uses letters to decide which day you can collect your passport. This helps avoid long lines and confusion.
This schedule applies to many cities in Ethiopia including:
- Addis Ababa
- Adama
- Hawassa
- Jimma
- Bahir Dar
- Dire Dawa
- Hosanna
- Nekemte
- Mekelle
- Dessie
- Gambela
Check your day carefully before going to the office.
Passport Pickup Schedule by Alphabet
| Day of the Week | Amharic Day | Allowed Name Initials (Alphabets) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | ሰኞ | A, B, C, D, E, F, G |
| Tuesday | ማክሰኞ | H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R |
| Wednesday | ረቡዕ | A, B, C, D, E, T |
| Thursday | ሐሙስ | I, J, K, L, M, S, U, V, W, X, Y, Z |
| Friday | አርብ | A, F, G, H, N, O, P, Q, R |
| Saturday | ቅዳሜ | M, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z |
The letters are based on the English letters of your first name as used in your passport.
Important Tips
Always check your passport status before going. You can do this using the ICS website or the Telegram bot. The website is https://www.ethiopian-immigration.gov.et and the Telegram bot is @ICSPASSPORTBOT. Only go when your status shows “Ready for Collection” or “Printed”.
Bring your original receipt, old passport if renewing, and a valid Kebele ID. Try to go early in the morning to avoid long lines, especially in busy cities like Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, and Bahir Dar.
Even small regional offices like Hosanna, Nekemte, Mekelle, Dessie, and Gambela follow the same schedule. Always check local office updates because rules can sometimes change.
Following this schedule will save time and travel costs. Make sure to check your alphabet day and your passport status before traveling.
