“Guiding your journey to, and in, Ethiopia with expertise and care”

In a globalized world fueled by advancements in transportation and communication technologies, it has become easier for people to permanently or temporarily move from one country to another. As a result, more and more foreigners move to Ethiopia due to a number of reasons: some move to Ethiopia to take advantage of investment opportunities; some do so for an employment position or for executing diplomatic or business mission; and others are forced to flee to Ethiopia because of war, violence, persecution or human rights violations in their country of origin. Such individuals come across a number of immigration, refugee and citizenship related legal issues, and they need legal support for navigating the legal and institutional frameworks for immigration, refugee and citizenship in Ethiopia.

Makkobilli Law Firm, we advise and provide legal assistances to both individual and corporate clients on immigration, refugee and citizenship in Ethiopia.

A. Our Services for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants in Ethiopia 

Currently, Ethiopia is hosting more than a Million foreign nationals registered either as asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Makkobilli Law Firm provides comprehensive services to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Ethiopia due to the importance of access to justice for the protection of the rights of such individuals. With rich experience working with national law enforcement agencies, immigration authorities, UN agencies, such as the UNHCR, and other international NGOs, such as the Norwegian Council (NRC), partners at Makkobilli Law Firm have proven credentials for diligently and effectively handling and servicing the legal needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Ethiopia. We have a proven background in provision of legal aid services, academia and legal researches on matters of immigration, refugee and citizenship law; and we highly appreciate the plight of foreign nationals who are forced to flee their home country. Hence, our legal services in this regard are conspicuously made affordable with the prime purpose of serving justice by realizing the interests of our clients in accessing professional and quality legal services.

The services offered by Makkobilli Law Firm to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Ethiopia include:

• Providing legal advice on refugee status application process and matters of rejection, and expulsion;
• Providing legal advice for urban refugees on civil matters such as rental contract and criminal defense matters;
• Conducting state of the art legal research on the protection of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants rights under the domestic frameworks;
• Assisting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants on the legal documentations to smoothly acquire permits;
• Providing legal counseling and documentation for processing legal matters that pertain to marriage, divorce, adoption, guardian and tutorship of asylum seekers, refugee, and migrants; and
• Handling other legal matters on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Ethiopia.

 

B. Our Services for Foreign Investors, Expats and Corporate Employees

Makkobilli Law Firm assists expatriates or foreign employees, who invest in Ethiopia or work at multinational companies and international organizations having branches/offices in Ethiopia, with their endeavor to process and timely obtain work visas, and work and residence permits. Our team is experienced in effectively dealing with all matters relating to immigration law, citizenship applications, applications for immigration permits, permanent residence permits, employment permits and visas.

The services we offer to expats, foreign investors and corporations/NGOs with operations in this regard include:

• Preparing and filling applications for expatriates to be granted a valid permit to live and work in Ethiopia;
• Preparing and filling Ethiopian citizenship applications for expatriates;
• Assisting in obtaining visas, work/employment and residence permits; and
• Assisting foreign nationals on the legal documentations to smoothly acquire work permit in investment operations; and
• Handling other related legal matters on behalf of expats, foreign investors and corporations/NGOs with operations in Ethiopia.

 

C. Our services for Ethiopian Diaspora and Foreigners in General

Makkobilli Law Firm offers various types of services to Ethiopian diaspora and foreigners, which include:

• Providing legal advice and support to foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin to acquire Ethiopian origin ID card (yellow card);
• Providing assistance in obtaining all types of visas including diplomatic visa, service visa, business visas, immigrant visa, tourist visa, student visa, and transit visa.
• Providing legal assistances to foreign nationals with permanent residence in Ethiopia on their applications to acquire Ethiopian citizenship through naturalization;
• Providing legal representation services before judicial organs and other administrative tribunals in situations of criminal investigation or prosecution of foreign nationals in Ethiopia; and
• Providing legal counseling and representation for processing legal matters that pertain to marriage, divorce, adoption, guardian and tutorship; and
• Handling other related legal matters on behalf of Ethiopian diaspora and foreign nationals.