The Ethiopia Transit eVisa is an electronic visa designed specifically for travelers who are passing through Ethiopia en route to another destination. This visa allows for a short stay in Ethiopia during your transit period, giving you the opportunity to leave the airport and briefly explore the country if desired.
To be eligible for the Ethiopia Transit eVisa, you must:
To apply for a Transit eVisa to Ethiopia, you will need the following:
For a detailed guide on the application process, visit our How to Apply page.
Essential details about the Transit eVisa for Ethiopia
The Transit eVisa is valid for entry within 30 days from the date of issue. Once you enter Ethiopia, you can stay for up to 3 days (72 hours). Your passport will be stamped upon entry with the date by which you must leave the country.
The Ethiopia Transit eVisa cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer than 3 days, you must apply for a different type of visa before traveling to Ethiopia. The Transit eVisa is strictly for short transit stays only.
The Transit eVisa is a single-entry visa. Once you leave Ethiopia, your eVisa is considered used and no longer valid. You must have a confirmed onward ticket to your final destination when entering Ethiopia with a Transit eVisa.
What you can do during your transit stay in Ethiopia
If your layover is less than 12 hours, you may choose to remain in the transit area of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The airport offers:
Note: If you remain in the international transit area and do not pass through immigration, you may not need a Transit eVisa. Check with your airline for specific requirements.
With a Transit eVisa, you can leave the airport and explore Addis Ababa or nearby areas during your layover. Popular activities for transit passengers include:
For layovers of 24+ hours, consider booking a hotel in Addis Ababa for rest and convenience.
Making the most of your transit through Ethiopia
Apply for your Transit eVisa today and turn your layover into a mini-adventure in the Land of Origins.
Apply for eVisa NowCommon questions about the Transit eVisa for Ethiopia
If you remain in the international transit area of the airport and do not pass through immigration, you typically do not need a Transit eVisa. However, this depends on your nationality and the length of your layover. Some nationalities may require a transit visa regardless. It's best to check with your airline or the Ethiopian embassy for your specific situation.
To make leaving the airport worthwhile, we recommend a minimum layover of 8 hours. This allows time for immigration procedures, transportation to and from the city, and at least a few hours for sightseeing. For layovers less than 8 hours, it may be more practical to remain at the airport.
No, the Transit eVisa must be obtained before traveling to Ethiopia. It is not available for purchase upon arrival at the airport or border crossings. We recommend applying at least 3-5 days before your travel date to allow for processing time.
Yes, the Transit eVisa is typically less expensive than Tourist or Business eVisas due to its shorter validity period. Current fee information can be found on our Fees and Processing page.
If unexpected circumstances such as flight delays or cancellations force you to stay beyond the 3-day limit of your Transit eVisa, you should immediately contact the Ethiopian Immigration authorities at the airport. They may grant a short extension in emergency situations. It's advisable to keep documentation of your original flight and the delay or cancellation to support your case.
No, it is not possible to convert a Transit eVisa to another visa type while in Ethiopia. If you decide you want to stay longer for tourism or business purposes, you would need to exit the country and apply for the appropriate visa type from outside Ethiopia.