Apply for Ethiopia Visa

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Visa Type Visa Cost (USD) Service Fee (USD) Number Of Entries Max Stay Validity Action
Tourist e-Visa 82.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa 602.00 49.00 Multiple 30 Days 90 Days
Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa 202.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Journalist Visa 152.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Investment e-Visa 502.00 49.00 Multiple 30 days 1 year
Investment e-Visa 62.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Government Institutions Short Task Visa 102.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa 303.00 49.00 Multiple 30 Days 90 Days
Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa 202.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Conference e-Visa(For private company) 52.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Conference e-Visa(For NGO) 52.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Conference e-Visa(For International Organizations) 52.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Conference e-Visa(For Governmental organization) 52.00 49.00 Single 30 days 30 days
Tourist e-Visa

82.00

49.00

Tourist e-Visa

Single

30 days

30 days

Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa

602.00

49.00

Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa

Multiple

30 Days

90 Days

Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa

202.00

49.00

Non-Governmental Organizations(NGO) Work Visa

Single

30 days

30 days

Journalist Visa

152.00

49.00

Journalist Visa

Single

30 days

30 days

Investment e-Visa

502.00

49.00

Investment e-Visa

Multiple

30 days

1 year

Investment e-Visa

62.00

49.00

Investment e-Visa

Single

30 days

30 days

Government Institutions Short Task Visa

102.00

49.00

Government Institutions Short Task Visa

Single

30 days

30 days

Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa

303.00

49.00

Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa

Multiple

30 Days

90 Days

Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa

202.00

49.00

Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa

Single

30 days

30 days

Conference e-Visa(For private company)

52.00

49.00

Conference e-Visa(For private company)

Single

30 days

30 days

Conference e-Visa(For NGO)

52.00

49.00

Conference e-Visa(For NGO)

Single

30 days

30 days

Conference e-Visa(For International Organizations)

52.00

49.00

Conference e-Visa(For International Organizations)

Single

30 days

30 days

Conference e-Visa(For Governmental organization)

52.00

49.00

Conference e-Visa(For Governmental organization)

Single

30 days

30 days

Ethiopia

If you are planning to visit the African country Ethiopia, you need to get a visa in the first place. Ethiopia is full of natural manifestations. Arid plains, breathtaking mountains, lush green areas, deserts, national parks, rivers, waterfalls, and broad lakes all make it a more scenic landscape than you can think. The cuisine, culture, and festivals of Ethiopia are another main attraction of the country. 


Ethiopia is also setting priority to the wellbeing and safety of the visitors and employees by launching a newly designed airport terminal by keeping bio-safety and bio-security in mind.  The newly installed terminal has check-in halls, self-check-in kiosks, self-bag drop/SBD, and immigration counters with more e-gate provisions. It has also improved the overall security conditions by introducing central security screening areas for departing passengers.


Citizens from all around the world are likely to visit Ethiopia by obtaining a visa. The visa will permit them to enter the territory legally and make everlasting memories out of their trip. Since the Ethiopian government has introduced the Ethiopian eVisa and the Visa On Arrival, obtaining an Ethiopian visa has become smoother, quicker, and comfortable.

How to Get an Ethiopian Visa?

Since the launch of online visa services by Ethiopia, the procedure of obtaining a visa has become swift and hassle-free. However, Ethiopia has not switched 100% to the online medium of acquiring a visa. Those who find it more convenient to apply via embassy or consulate, or get their visa upon landing at the airport, can definitely opt for these facilities. 

With respect to modes of application, you can avail of the following types of visa from Ethiopia depending on your nationality:

  • eVisa or electronic visa: (you may apply for eVisa by a completely online process and receive the eVisa in advance in PDF format).
  • consular visa or embassy visa: (you may contact and visit the nearest embassy to get the visa)
  • on-arrival visa: (you may reach the airports of Ethiopia and then get your visa on arrival by showing a few documents to the Immigration Officer).

Ethiopia Types Of Visa

The Ethiopian government issues visas under two main categories:

Ethiopia Tourist Visas

If you want to visit Ethiopia for tourism or other non-business related purposes, you should apply for the Ethiopia Tourist Visas. Sightseeing, visiting a friend or family, attending any family event, or spending vacations all come under touristic purpose.

Ethiopia Business Visa

The Ethiopia Business Visa is specifically for business-related purposes. The Ethiopian government has made subcategories of business visa, so that the visa applicants may find the visa type more specific and relevant to their travel purpose.

Ethiopia Conference Visa (CV) 

Foreigners visiting Ethiopia to attend an international conference, seminar, or workshop, organized by a governmental authority, ministry, private organization, or educational institution can select this type of visa while filling the application form.

Ethiopia Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa (WV) 

This type of visa is issued to foreigners who will work as employees in Ethiopia by a foreign-operated company.

Ethiopia Government Employment Visa (GV) 

GV is specific for the foreigners who will be working in Ethiopian Government institutions or ministries.

Ethiopia Private Business Firm Work Visa (PE) 

The foreigners who will work for short-term in an Ethiopian private business will apply for this type of visa.

Ethiopia International Organizations/Embassies Work Visa (RI)

The foreigners who have an invitation by an embassy in Ethiopia or any international organization can apply for this visa type.

Ethiopia Government Institutions Short Task Visa (GIV)

The foreign nationals who will work in an Ethiopian government institution for a short period of time should apply for this type.

Ethiopia Non-Governmental Organizations Visa (NGO)

The foreigners having an invitation by an existing NGO for employment purpose or a short term assignment can enter Ethiopia with an NGO visa.

Ethiopia Investment Visa (IV)

The foreigners who intend to engage in investment opportunities in Ethiopia or are already working in the investment sector can apply for an IV visa.

Ethiopia Journalist Visa

The journalist visa is specific for foreign journalists or media professionals travelling to Ethiopia for their work-related purposes.

Note: Above, we have listed the most common types of visas.

 If your purpose of travel does not comply with the above visa types, you should contact an Ethiopian embassy or consulate.

Visa Validity

The validity of a short-stay and single-entry visa for Ethiopia is up to 90 days. The number of days you can stay in Ethiopia starts from your entrance date in the country, not from the visa issuance date.

However, there seems to be an exception, the Ethiopia Investment Visa, which allows multiple entries for up to 12 months. Additionally, if you enter Ethiopia to work for an Ethiopian governmental institution, you can receive a multiple entry visa for a short period (up to six months). 

Eligibility:

Ethiopia welcomes citizens from all across the globe. Everyone, other than nationals of the countries listed below is eligible to apply for an Ethiopia Visa before they start their trip:

Documents Required for Ethiopian eVisa Online / Visa on arrival / ETA / Invite letters

All travellers applying for Ethiopian visa should first check if they meet all the visa requirements. Visitors who need an Ethiopian visa exclusively for tourism purpose must have a copy of these documents with them: 

  • A Photograph with the following specifications:

Recent (the applicant's photo should be taken within six months)

Passport-sized 

  • A passport of the visa applicant

Passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of arrival to Ethiopia.

Travellers visiting Ethiopia for business purpose need to submit several extra documents from the following list depending upon their selected visa type. Here, we have listed around all other requirements from a business visa applicant. 

  • A Support Letter from the Government communications office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the nearest embassy of Ethiopia, or the Investment Commission of Ethiopia
  • An official application letter addressing the Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency of Ethiopia needs to be written by the inviting organization.
  • Business license of the inviting company 
  • TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) Certificate of the company inviting you.
  • A contractual agreement between the inviting company and you
  • The inviting company's Registration license
  • Note verbale from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

Note: The documents mentioned above are not exhaustive. If you are applying online, the online setup will display the exact documents you need to attach. If you will apply by an Ethiopian embassy or on arrival, you should contact them in advance to confirm the exact document requirements.

Processing Time

Under normal circumstances, the visa application processing time for a tourist visa is three days. The travellers should submit their visa request at least three days before they intend to arrive in Ethiopia. However, we recommend all foreigners planning to visit Ethiopia apply in advance for the visa and leave time for any possible uncertainty, delays, or mishap.

Apply for Visa

The steps for applying for an Ethiopean visa are straightforward.

  • Select the visa type according to your travel purpose.
  • Enter your trip details (arrival and departure dates, and accommodation)
  • Enter your personal information ( includes your name, age, nationality, profession, contact, address, etc)
  • Attach the supporting documents ( a copy of your photograph and biographical page of your passport and other required documents depending upon your selected visa type or purpose of travel).
  • Pay the fee for Ethiopian Visa online through a debit or credit card.
  • Wait for a specified time for visa processing. Usually, the processing time for the Ethiopia eVisa is within three days.
  • Upon the approval of your Ethiopia eVisa, you will receive the final eVisa at your email address.

Visa on arrival for Africans

Foreigners from all African Union member states visiting Ethiopia for tourism can apply for a Visa on Arrival. Nationals from the eligible countries can enter the country without a visa while keeping all the necessary travel documents (two passports sized pictures and any additional documents based on your purpose of travel) and receive their visa on arrival by showing up at the counters at the airport. 

The Visa on Arrival applicant can obtain a tourist visa with a validity of up to three months by paying the visa fee in cash on arriving at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Nationals of the following countries or persons holding residence permits of these countries or territories are eligible to get visa on arrival.

Applicants who claim to have permanent residence in the eligible countries will have to show a valid residence permit document upon arrival.

It is also possible that the applicants may submit their visa application and get their visa online while paying the visa fee upon arrival at Bole International Airport.

Visa exemptions

Citizens of these countries having valid passport can enter Ethiopia without a visa. Kenya,  Djibouti

Although you may be eligible for a Visa On Arrival, the Ethiopian government still advises the nationals of such countries to apply for an Ethiopia Visa online to avoid any unforeseen disturbances.

By applying online, you will get to know in advance whether you can enter Ethiopia or not before you start your travel. But, when you apply for a visa on arrival, and your application gets rejected, you will have to turn back to your home country after you have already spent money making reservations in a hotel or paying for the airline ticket.

Extension

If your visa is near to its expiry, you can request the visa extension by going in person to the Head Office of The Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). Visa extensions should be requested before the visa expires. However, if your visa has passed the validity period and you are overstaying your visa, you are subject to fines and legal penalties.

Cost

The cost of an Ethiopian visa varies from single entry to multiple entry visas. It also depends upon the number of days you will be spending in the country. 

Ethiopia Transit Visa

If you are transiting via Ethiopia from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you do not need to apply for an Ethiopia Transit Visa, if you won't leave the airport.

However, if you want to leave the airport and enter the country, you may request Ethiopian Visa On Arrival from the visa-issuing counters at the airport.

FAQs about Ethiopian eVisa


 For long-stay, employment, or other visa inquiries, please reach out to the following embassies