If you applied for a passport in Hawassa, you must collect it based on the alphabet system (ሀረግ በቀን መቀበያ). Many applicants come on the wrong day and are forced to return home. To avoid long lines and wasted trips, this guide shows the exact alphabet-day schedule posted inside the Hawassa Immigration Office.
This schedule became effective on 25/03/2017 EC and remains the latest official update.
Alphabet Pickup Schedule
Monday – ሰኞ
Allowed alphabets:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Tuesday – ማክሰኞ
Allowed alphabets:
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R
Wednesday – ረቡዕ
Allowed alphabets:
A, B, C, D, E, T
Thursday – ሐሙስ
Allowed alphabets:
I, J, K, L, M, S, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Friday – አርብ
Visible alphabets from notice:
A, F, G, H, N, O, P, Q, R
(The paper was unclear; officers may update this.)
Saturday – ቅዳሜ
Allowed alphabets:
M, S, I, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Working Hours (Hawassa Immigration Office)
Monday → Friday
3:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Ethiopian Time)
Equivalent: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM international
Saturday
3:00 AM – 6:30 AM (Ethiopian Time)
Equivalent: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM international
Sunday: Closed
Effective Date
The alphabet schedule became effective on:
25/03/2017 EC
(Early 2025 Gregorian calendar)
This information was taken directly from the printed notice inside the Hawassa Immigration Office.
Alphabet Schedule Summary Table
| Day | Allowed Alphabets |
|---|---|
| Monday | A, B, C, D, E, F, G |
| Tuesday | H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R |
| Wednesday | A, B, C, D, E, T |
| Thursday | I, J, K, L, M, S, U, V, W, X, Y, Z |
| Friday | A, F, G, H, N, O, P, Q, R |
| Saturday | M, S, I, U, V, W, X, Y, Z |
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. How do I know if my passport is ready for pickup?
You can check using the Telegram tracking bot or the ICS website. If the website says “database not found,” go directly to the office with your receipt.
2. What if my alphabet appears on more than one day?
Choose any valid day. However, Wednesday and Saturday usually have fewer people.
3. Can someone else pick up my passport?
Only with a signed authorization letter, your tracking number, and copies of both ID cards.
4. What happens if I come on the wrong day?
Security will not allow you to enter. You must return on the correct alphabet day.
5. Does this alphabet schedule apply to Addis Ababa?
No. Addis Ababa branches have different schedules.
Conclusion
Understanding your alphabet pickup day helps you avoid wasting time and standing in long lines. This schedule is taken directly from the official Hawassa Immigration Office notice and is the most accurate and updated information available.
If the office updates their alphabet days in the future, this article will be updated accordingly.
