Ethiopia Visa Requirements: Which Visa Do You Need?

Almost every visitor to Ethiopia needs a visa, but which one depends on your nationality, why you are travelling and how you arrive. Our team has processed visas for tourists and business travellers for more than ten years, and this page sums up what we tell our own clients. Rules change from time to time, so always confirm on the official portal, evisa.gov.et, or with an Ethiopian embassy before you travel.

Quick Answer

Tourists flying into Addis Ababa: apply online for a tourist e-visa, 30 or 90 days, single entry. Citizens of all countries can apply.
Visa on arrival: available at Bole International Airport for citizens of the countries listed on the official portal, tourist visas only.
Transit passengers: no visa if you stay airside. To leave the airport during a layover you need a visa.
Business, conference or work travel: do not use a tourist visa. Choose the right category on the portal or apply through an embassy.
Arriving by land: get a visa from an Ethiopian embassy before you travel. Kenyan and Djiboutian citizens do not need a visa.

The Tourist e-Visa

The tourist e-visa is the easiest option for most travellers. You apply on evisa.gov.et, pay by card and receive an approval letter by email, usually within three days. Print it or keep it on your phone, and show it with your passport at Bole International Airport. The e-visa is valid only for entry by air at Addis Ababa Bole.

You need a passport valid for at least six months from your entry date and a recent passport style photo. The validity counts from the arrival date you enter on the form, so get it right. Apply two to three weeks before you travel to leave time for any problems.

Only use the official .gov.et website. Many lookalike sites charge extra fees. For fees, refusals and step by step help, read our full Ethiopia e-visa application guide.

Visa on Arrival

Citizens of a list of countries can get a tourist visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The list changes, so check the official portal before relying on it. If you are eligible, an e-visa approved before you fly still saves time in the immigration queue. Visa on arrival is not available at land borders.

Transit and Layovers

If you change planes in Addis Ababa and stay in the transit area, you do not need a visa. If you want to leave the airport, for example for a layover tour or an overnight stay, you need to pass immigration with a valid visa. Ethiopian Airlines can advise on transit visas for its passengers. Read our guide to the Addis Ababa layover and transit visa.

Business, Conferences and Work

Coming for meetings, a conference, journalism, NGO work or volunteering? The tourist visa is the wrong category and can cause problems at immigration. The portal lists separate categories, and some need an invitation letter from an Ethiopian company or organisation. Work and residence permits are handled by the Immigration and Citizenship Service in Addis Ababa. If you are unsure, contact us: we arrange invitation letters and support for many business travellers.

Arriving by Land

If you are entering Ethiopia overland, for example from Kenya at Moyale or from Djibouti, you must get a visa from an Ethiopian embassy before you travel. The e-visa is not valid at land borders. Citizens of Kenya and Djibouti need only a valid passport.

Extending Your Visa

You can ask to extend a tourist visa before it expires, for a good reason. Extensions are handled online through the official portal, or in person at the Immigration and Citizenship Service head office in Addis Ababa, depending on your case. Overstaying brings fines and can stop you leaving the country until it is settled, so act early.

Need Help?

Visa questions are something we handle every week. Tell us your nationality, travel dates and purpose of travel, and we will tell you which visa fits. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp +251 988 111 222. See also our Ethiopia travel guide.