The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa has announced a new restriction on the validity of most nonimmigrant visas for Ethiopian citizens, reducing them to single-entry visas valid for only three months.
Effective July 8, 2025, this change applies to all newly issued nonimmigrant visas. The Embassy confirmed the update in an official statement released on X (formerly known as Twitter), explaining that the new rule reflects updated guidelines from the U.S. Department of State.
“Most nonimmigrant visas for Ethiopian citizens will be limited to single entry and a three-month validity period,” the Embassy’s statement read. Visas issued before July 8 will remain valid under their existing terms and conditions.
The new policy is part of broader efforts by the U.S. to tighten visa regulations. Recent reports suggest that U.S. authorities are weighing additional travel restrictions for citizens of 36 countries—including Ethiopia—over concerns about passport security standards and cooperation on deportations. Under these proposals, countries that fail to address U.S. security requirements within 60 days could face a partial or complete suspension of visa services.
Enhanced screening measures are already in effect. Since June 18, 2025, applicants for student (F and M) and exchange visitor (J) visas have been required to make their social media profiles public for more thorough security vetting.
The Embassy did not provide further details on how long the new visa restrictions would remain in place.
