Ethiopia eVisa Requirements

Who Can Apply for an Ethiopia eVisa?

The Ethiopia eVisa system is designed to facilitate travel to Ethiopia for tourism, business, and transit purposes. While the system is accessible to travelers from many countries, eligibility criteria must be met to successfully obtain an eVisa.

Eligible Nationalities

Citizens of most countries are eligible to apply for an Ethiopia eVisa. The Ethiopian government has made the electronic visa system available to travelers from over 150 countries worldwide. This broad eligibility reflects Ethiopia's commitment to promoting tourism and international business relations.

Note: Eligibility for the Ethiopia eVisa is subject to change based on diplomatic relations and immigration policies. It is advisable to check the most current information before applying.

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an Ethiopia eVisa, applicants must meet the following general criteria:

Hold a passport with at least six months validity beyond the planned date of entry to Ethiopia
Have a clear intention to leave Ethiopia before the expiry of the visa
Possess sufficient financial means to cover expenses during the stay in Ethiopia
Have no criminal record or security concerns that would make the applicant inadmissible
Not be subject to any immigration bars or restrictions
Have a valid purpose for visiting Ethiopia (tourism, business, transit, etc.)

Purpose-Specific Eligibility

Eligibility may also depend on the purpose of your visit to Ethiopia:

Tourist eVisa

Available to travelers visiting Ethiopia for leisure, sightseeing, visiting friends and family, or other non-work-related activities. Tourist eVisas are typically issued for stays of up to 30 days.

Business eVisa

Designed for travelers visiting Ethiopia for business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or exploratory business activities. Business eVisas generally allow for stays of up to 90 days.

Transit eVisa

For travelers passing through Ethiopia en route to another destination. Transit eVisas usually permit a short stay of up to 3 days.

Top Eligible Countries

While most nationalities can apply for an Ethiopia eVisa, here are some of the most common countries of origin for travelers to Ethiopia:

United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
Germany
France
Italy
Spain

Japan
South Korea
China
India
Brazil
South Africa
UAE
Singapore

This is not an exhaustive list. Travelers from many other countries are also eligible to apply for an Ethiopia eVisa.

Required Documents

To successfully apply for an Ethiopia eVisa, applicants must prepare and submit several essential documents.

Primary Requirements

These documents are mandatory for all eVisa applications regardless of the purpose of visit:

Valid Passport: A passport with at least six months validity remaining from the date of entry into Ethiopia. The passport must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
Recent Passport-Sized Photograph: A digital color photograph taken within the last six months, showing the full face against a white background. The photograph must meet the following specifications:
- Dimensions: 35mm x 45mm (width x height)
- Resolution: At least 600 DPI
- File format: JPEG or PNG
- File size: Between 10KB and 240KB
Valid Email Address: All communication regarding the eVisa application, including the approved visa, will be sent to this email address.
Credit/Debit Card for Payment: A valid credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or other accepted payment methods) to pay the visa fee.

Supporting Documents

Depending on the purpose of your visit, additional supporting documents may be required:

For Tourist eVisa:

Travel Itinerary: A detailed plan of your stay in Ethiopia, including places to visit and activities.
Hotel Reservations: Confirmation of accommodation arrangements for the duration of your stay in Ethiopia.
Return/Onward Ticket: Proof of travel arrangements for leaving Ethiopia before the visa expires.

For Business eVisa:

Invitation Letter: A letter from an Ethiopian company or organization inviting you for business purposes.
Company Letter: A letter from your employer stating the purpose of your trip to Ethiopia.
Business Registration: Proof of registration of the inviting company in Ethiopia (may be requested in some cases).

For Transit eVisa:

Confirmed Onward Ticket: Proof of travel arrangements to your final destination after transiting through Ethiopia.
Visa for Final Destination: If required, proof that you have a valid visa for your final destination country.

Important Document Guidelines

All documents must be in English or accompanied by an official English translation.
Scanned copies of documents should be clear and legible.
File size for uploaded documents should not exceed 2MB each.
Acceptable file formats include PDF, JPEG, and PNG.
Documents with evidence of tampering or alteration will result in visa rejection.
Additional documents may be requested during the application review process.

Special Requirements

Certain categories of travelers may need to fulfill additional requirements when applying for an Ethiopia eVisa.

Requirements for Minors

Children under 18 years of age require additional documentation:

Birth Certificate: A copy of the child's birth certificate.
Parental Authorization: If the child is traveling with only one parent or without parents, a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s) is required.
Guardian Documentation: If traveling with a guardian, proof of guardianship must be provided.

These requirements are in place to prevent child trafficking and ensure the safety of minors traveling to Ethiopia.

Business Travelers

Business travelers may need to provide additional documentation depending on the nature of their business activities:

Conference Registration: Proof of registration for conferences or events in Ethiopia.
Meeting Schedule: Detailed schedule of business meetings with Ethiopian companies or organizations.
Trade License: For those engaging in trade activities, a copy of relevant trade licenses may be required.
Investment Permits: For investors, copies of investment permits or applications.

Business travelers should ensure they have all relevant documentation related to their specific business activities in Ethiopia.

Medical Travelers

Travelers visiting Ethiopia for medical treatment need to provide:

Medical Appointment: Confirmation of appointment with a medical facility in Ethiopia.
Doctor's Letter: A letter from the treating physician or medical facility in Ethiopia.
Medical History: Relevant medical records and history related to the treatment.
Financial Proof: Evidence of ability to cover medical expenses and stay in Ethiopia.

Medical travelers should ensure all medical documentation is properly translated into English if originally in another language.

Health Requirements

While not always required for the eVisa application itself, travelers should be aware of health requirements for entry into Ethiopia:

Yellow Fever Vaccination: A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are traveling from or have transited through a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.
COVID-19 Requirements: Requirements related to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, or quarantine may be in place. These requirements change frequently, so it is advisable to check the most current information before travel.
Other Vaccinations: While not mandatory for entry, vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and other diseases are recommended for travelers to Ethiopia.

Health requirements are subject to change based on global and regional health situations. Travelers should consult with a travel health professional before their trip to Ethiopia.

Financial Requirements

Travelers to Ethiopia must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay:

Proof of Funds: While not always required to be submitted with the eVisa application, travelers should be prepared to show proof of sufficient funds upon arrival in Ethiopia. This can be in the form of:
- Bank statements from the last three months
- Credit card statements with available credit
- Traveler's checks
- Cash in convertible currency
Sponsorship Letter: If your trip is being sponsored by someone else, a letter of sponsorship along with the sponsor's financial documents may be required.

The amount of funds considered "sufficient" varies depending on the length of stay and the purpose of visit. As a general guideline, travelers should have access to at least $50 USD per day of their planned stay in Ethiopia.

Limitations and Restrictions

Understanding who cannot apply for an Ethiopia eVisa and what alternative options are available.

Who Cannot Apply for an eVisa

While the Ethiopia eVisa system is accessible to many travelers, certain categories of individuals may not be eligible to apply through this system:

Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders: Travelers with diplomatic or official passports typically need to apply through traditional channels at Ethiopian embassies or consulates.
Long-Term Visa Applicants: Those seeking to stay in Ethiopia for extended periods (such as for work, study, or residence) cannot use the eVisa system and must apply for appropriate visas through Ethiopian diplomatic missions.
Certain Nationalities: Citizens of some countries may not be eligible for the eVisa due to specific bilateral agreements or immigration policies.
Previous Visa Violators: Individuals who have previously violated Ethiopian immigration laws, overstayed their visas, or been deported from Ethiopia may be ineligible for the eVisa.
Individuals with Criminal Records: Those with serious criminal convictions may be denied an eVisa and should consult with an Ethiopian embassy or consulate.

Note: Eligibility restrictions are subject to change based on Ethiopian immigration policies and international relations. When in doubt about eligibility, it is advisable to contact the nearest Ethiopian embassy or consulate for guidance.

Alternative Options

If you are not eligible for an Ethiopia eVisa, there are alternative methods to obtain permission to enter Ethiopia:

Embassy or Consulate Application

The traditional method of applying for an Ethiopian visa is through an Ethiopian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. This option is available to all travelers, including those who are not eligible for the eVisa.

To apply at an embassy or consulate, you will typically need to:

Complete a visa application form
Submit your passport and photographs
Provide supporting documents based on your purpose of visit
Pay the visa fee
Attend an interview (if required)

Visa on Arrival

Ethiopia offers visa on arrival for citizens of some countries at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. However, this option is limited and may not be available to all travelers.

Requirements for visa on arrival typically include:

Valid passport with at least six months validity
Return/onward ticket
Proof of sufficient funds
Payment of visa fee in cash (usually in USD)

Important: Visa on arrival should not be relied upon as a primary option, as availability can change without notice. It is always safer to secure a visa before travel.