
To enter Ethiopia, most travellers need a visa. The Ethiopian eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation for tourists, available to citizens of all countries. The eVisa is available online and can be completed in a few minutes. Applicants need to provide personal information, passport details, travel plans, and health information. The eVisa is sent via email and must be printed and presented at the port of entry, alongside your passport. It is valid for 30 days and expires once you leave Ethiopia. To renew or extend your eVisa, you must submit a new application or visit the Main Immigration and Nationality Affairs Office in Addis Ababa.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Visa application method | Online or in person |
Visa application time | 1-3 business days |
Visa validity | 30 days |
Visa cost | Paid by credit or debit card |
Passport validity | At least 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Ethiopia |
Passport pages | At least 2 blank pages |
Passport restrictions | Issued by an eligible country |
Passport photo | Required |
Additional documents | Vaccination certificate, bank statement, residence permit |
Port of entry | Addis Ababa Bole International Airport |
What You'll Learn
eVisa application process
The eVisa application process for Ethiopia is straightforward and can be completed in a few minutes. The online application form involves answering a series of basic questions and providing the following information:
- Personal details: full name, address, date of birth, etc.
- Passport details: passport number, expiry date, nationality, etc.
- Health information: medical history and vaccinations
- Travel plans: dates and hotel address
It is important to double-check all the information provided on the application form before submitting it. Any errors or inaccuracies can result in a delay or rejection of the electronic tourist visa.
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed, and if all the requirements are met, the eVisa will be approved and sent to the applicant's email address in PDF format within 1 to 3 business days. It is advisable to apply at least 7 days before the trip to allow plenty of time for processing.
After receiving the approved eVisa, a printed copy must be presented at the port of entry, along with the corresponding passport. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the eVisa at all times during the stay in Ethiopia.
Please note that the eVisa validity starts from the day of entry into Ethiopia, not the date of issue. The eVisa is a single-entry visa and is valid for 30 days. If a longer stay is required, the visa can be extended at the Main Immigration and Nationality Affairs Office in Addis Ababa.
Additionally, only Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is a valid port of entry for those travelling with an eVisa.
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eVisa requirements
The eVisa is an electronic travel authorization for tourists. It is available to citizens of all countries, although there are some passport restrictions. The online application can be completed in just a few minutes.
To apply for an eVisa, you must meet the following requirements:
- A valid passport from an eligible country, with at least six months' validity beyond your date of arrival in Ethiopia, and at least two blank pages.
- A recent passport-style digital photo, in colour, with dimensions of 51mm x 51mm (front view with a clear, full face from the top of the hairline to the chin, eyes open).
- A scanned copy of your passport biographical page.
- Personal information, including your full name, address, date of birth, passport details, health information, and travel plans.
- A credit or debit card to pay the visa fee.
If you have dual citizenship, you must use the same passport to enter Ethiopia as the one used when completing the eVisa application form.
It is important to note that the eVisa does not permit holders to work or volunteer in Ethiopia.
In addition to the above, you may also be required to provide the following:
- A vaccination certificate for yellow fever, if travelling from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
- A recent bank statement showing sufficient funds.
- US Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are also accepted for entry, airside transit, and exit from Ethiopia.
It is recommended that, at least eight weeks prior to your trip, you consult the latest health advice for Ethiopia, including vaccine recommendations, outbreaks, or health risks.
Visa on Arrival
The visa on arrival is another option for tourists travelling to Ethiopia. This can be obtained when visitors arrive in Ethiopia, with no need to visit an embassy or consulate beforehand. The validity period and price of the visa depend on the needs of the traveller. However, this option is only available to a select few nationalities, including nationals of all African Union member states.
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eVisa validity
The eVisa for Ethiopia is available as either a single-entry or multiple-entry permit. The single-entry permit is valid for 30 days and costs 129 euros, while the multiple-entry permit is valid for 90 days and costs 259 euros. The validity period for both visas starts on the date of entry into Ethiopia as stated on the application form and not the issuing or arrival date. This means that the maximum stay in Ethiopia is one or three months, depending on the selected type.
The validity of the eVisa cannot be extended, but applicants can apply for a new eVisa if they wish to re-enter Ethiopia after leaving. Alternatively, visa extensions can be requested at the Head Office of the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It is important to note that the eVisa is only valid for tourism purposes, and business activities are not permitted. The eVisa is also not valid for permanent residence or as a pathway to it. Additionally, employment, including voluntary work, is not allowed while in Ethiopia on a tourist visa.
The eVisa is valid for entry into Ethiopia at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport only. This is the largest airport in the country, serving over 125 international destinations.
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Visa extension
If you are already in Ethiopia and would like to extend your stay, you can do so by visiting the Main Immigration and Nationality Affairs Office in Addis Ababa. It is recommended that you go at least a week before your current visa expiry date. Alternatively, you can apply for a new eVisa online.
The visa extension fee is based on how long you intend to stay. For instance, if you are applying for an extension for the first time, you will have to pay an amount that is equivalent to 100% above the previous e-visa application fee. If you are applying for an extension for the second time, for up to 15 days, you will be asked to pay an additional fee of 150% above the previous e-visa application fee. If you are applying for an extension for the third time, for up to 10 days, you will be required to pay an additional fee of up to 200% above the previous e-visa application fee.
You can apply for a visa extension using two methods. Firstly, you can visit the immigration, National and Vital Events Agency in Addis Ababa. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa extension online by clicking on the visa extension link and following the guidelines on the site. Note that you will be asked to pay the visa extension fee using either your credit or debit card.
Once you submit the extension application, it usually takes 24 hours to process. After your application is approved, a confirmation email will be sent to you, and you will have to print out a copy and present it at the Ethiopian border to extend your stay.
Please note that some visiting visas, such as NGO Visa (NV), Conference Visa (CV), Student Visa, and Journalist Visa, are exempt from extension or renewal.
The process and validity of the extended visa start the day after the previous visa expires.
Overstaying your visa in Ethiopia can result in penalties. If you overstay, you will be required to pay a $50 fine plus $5 per day. If you do not report to the authorities and are caught, you may face legal penalties and be charged with criminal charges. If found guilty, you will be deported and banned from entering Ethiopia again.
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Visa on arrival
US citizens must obtain a visa to enter Ethiopia. A visa on arrival is not available for US citizens, but they can obtain an eVisa online. This type of visa eliminates the need to go to an Ethiopian consulate. The eVisa application can be completed in a few minutes and requires personal information, passport details, travel plans, and health information. It is important to double-check all the information provided on the application form before submitting, as any inaccuracies or errors can result in a delay or rejection of the electronic tourist visa. The eVisa is typically approved within 1 to 3 business days and is sent to the applicant's email in PDF format. It is recommended to apply at least 7 days before the trip to allow for processing.
When travelling to Ethiopia, it is important to carry a printed copy of the approved eVisa and passport at all times. The eVisa validity starts from the day of entering Ethiopia, not the date of issue. US citizens should also be aware of currency restrictions when entering and leaving the country. It is illegal to carry over 3,000 birr (the local currency) and any cash in excess of $4,000 or the equivalent must be declared to customs officials.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a visa is required to enter Ethiopia.
You can apply for an eVisa online. The application form requires you to answer a series of basic questions, including your name, date of birth, address, email address, travel plans, and health information. You will also need to upload a passport-style photo and pay a fee using a credit or debit card.
eVisa applications are normally processed within 24 hours, but this can take up to 3 days on rare occasions.
Overstaying your visa in Ethiopia can result in fines. For overstaying by up to 15 days, travellers have to pay a fine of approximately USD 50, plus an additional USD 5 for each day overstayed.