How To Renew An Ethiopian Passport From Canada?

Are you an Ethiopian in Canada looking to renew your passport? Did you know you can renew your passport easily without travelling back home? Every year thousands of Ethiopian citizens renew their passports at the Consular's office anywhere in the world.

In this discussion, we'll look at how you can renew your Ethiopian passport from Canada, the requirements, fees and everything else you need to know. Let's dive in.

Which Are The Available Options of Renewing An Ethiopian Passport While in Canada?

Worth noting the Ethiopian Government does not provide an online passport renewal method for its citizens in Canada or anywhere else in the world.

If you are in Canada, there is currently only one available method to avail your necessary documents to the Ethiopian embassy in Ottawa, Canada.

However, because of the Covid-19 health protocol guidelines, you can only submit by post until further notice.

Step-by-Step Procedure of a Successful Renewal

The first step is to ensure you meet eligibility requirements. To get started, you must meet the following criteria.

• Posses an original passport-free from a tear or wear
• Have Canadian documents to prove residences. You can use a residence permit card
• Your old passport must be at least three months before its expiry
• Pay the passport renewal fees besides providing the required documents.

Secondly, download two copies of the passport application form from the embassy’s website. Note that the documents are available in English and Amharic.

Next, complete the application form and append your signature.

Have the following documents ready;

• Two copies of your expiring or expired passport
• Two copies of your residence permit or visa
• Four most recent passport-size color photographs. Ensure the photos have a white background.

Also, you must not wear goggles, a hat, or a headcover unless for religious and ethnic reasons. Your face, including both ears, should be visible.

Write your full name in block letters at the back of the photographs. It’s important to note that photographs that do not meet these criteria are not considered.

After you’ve obtained all the documents, visit the nearest police department office or commissary for biometrics. The fingerprinting service provider must sign and stamp the fingerprints and quote their complete address.

Afterward, the fingerprints must be authenticated by the relevant authorities or notary public.

The next step is to pay the passport renewal fees at least 48 hours before submitting the renewal application.

After paying, secure a prepaid envelope and self-address it. The embassy accepts FedEx, Express Post, and Purolator Courier. The self-address quoted on the prepaid envelope will be used to deliver the new passport and other personal documents to your address.

Attach all the documents and cross-check with the list of the required documents to ensure no missing document.

Finally, deliver the document to the nearest post office and use the following address.

Consular Department Embassy of Ethiopia 275 Slater St, #1001, Ottawa ON K1P 5H9

Wait for the passport processing, which can take up to 45 days. The Consular department will notify you after your passport is processed and ready for posting.

If you have any inquiries, reach out to the embassy contact by leaving a message. Be sure to enter a short description of your inquiry. A Consular officer will get back to you within five days.

You can also visit the FAQs on the website and review any materials or resources available.

What Are The Ethiopian Passport Renewal Fees And Modes of Payment?

When applying for your passport renewal, it is a requirement you enclose the applicable fees in your application. It costs you $73 to renew your Ethiopian passport in Canada. Note that the fees are paid in Canadian dollars.

The following are the accepted modes of payment:

• Credit or debit cards
• Banker's draft
• Postal orders, with payment, were addressed to the Ethiopian Embassy.

Worth noting the Consular office does not accept cash, an American Express card, or a banker's draft. Also, the renewal fees are not refundable.

You should print a copy of the payment reference after making the payment.

Can You Appoint Someone To Renew The Ethiopian Passport On Your Behalf?

If you are busy, you may have little time to follow up on the passport application procedure. For this reason, a question arises if you can appoint someone to renew the Ethiopian passport on your behalf.

The answer to this question is a definite Yes. Previously you can appoint a representative in Ethiopia to apply for your passport and pursue the issue on your behalf through a legal Power of Attorney. However, with the current application procedure, you don’t have to travel to Ethiopia with a Laissez-Passer passport to renew from home.

Bottom Line

Renewing your expired Ethiopian passport in Canada is easy but takes some time. For convenience, always apply for the passport at least three months before the service that requires your new passport.

Also, ensure you cross-check the list of the required documents when applying to avoid delayed processing.

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