Ethiopia Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationYes, most travelers need a visa for Ethiopia. The standard route is the official Ethiopian tourist eVisa. Citizens of all countries are eligible to apply online for a single-entry tourist eVisa. A visa does not guarantee entry — Ethiopian border authorities make the final determination at port of entry.
Ethiopia visa at a glance
- Government fee
- $62 USD — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 3 working days under normal circumstances
- Validity / stay
- Single entry · up to 30 days
- Visa types
- 3
Do you need a visa for Ethiopia?
All applicants should hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry. Submit your application at least 3 days before your estimated date of arrival under normal processing.
Ethiopia visa types
- Tourist eVisa
- Tourism, leisure, non-business visits — 30 or 90 days
- Business eVisa
- Business activities — Confirm with immigration
- Transit visa
- Passing through Ethiopia — Per transit rules
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for Ethiopia depends on your nationality:
Confirm the current eVisa options and entry rules with the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Authority before applying.
All foreign travelers need an eVisa or other authorized travel authorization before arrival.
Citizens of all countries are eligible to apply for the Ethiopian tourist eVisa online.
Your intended date of entry matters. The validity starts from the date you intend to enter Ethiopia.
Documents required for a Ethiopia visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportTourist eVisa · at least 6 months validity from intended date of entry.
- Recent passport-size photoTourist eVisa · Recent passport-size photo.
- Passport bio-page scan or photoTourist eVisa · Passport bio-page scan or photo.
- Return or onward ticketTourist eVisa · Return or onward ticket.
- Proof of accommodation or invitation where requiredTourist eVisa · Proof of accommodation or invitation where required.
- Valid passportBusiness eVisa · at least 6 months validity.
- Passport bio-page scanBusiness eVisa · Passport bio-page scan.
- Recent passport-size photoBusiness eVisa · Recent passport-size photo.
- Invitation letter from the Ethiopian business entityBusiness eVisa · Invitation letter from the Ethiopian business entity.
- Company registration or proof of business activityBusiness eVisa · Company registration or proof of business activity.
- Valid passportTransit visa · at least 6 months validity.
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third countryTransit visa · Confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
- Proof of sufficient funds for the transit periodTransit visa · Proof of sufficient funds for the transit period.
- Visa for the final destination (where required)Transit visa · Visa for the final destination (where required).
Ethiopia visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- $62 USD — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Single entry · up to 30 days
- Official processing
- 3 working days under normal circumstances
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a Ethiopia visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Most travelers need an Ethiopia tourist eVisa. Check the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Authority portal for your nationality.
Create an account on the official Ethiopian eVisa portal
Create an account on the official Ethiopian eVisa portal.
Complete the online application with your passport, photo, and travel details
Complete the online application with your passport, photo, and travel details.
Pay the government fee online
Pay the government fee online.
Receive your eVisa by email once processed
Print it before travel.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check Ethiopia's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Form filling
- Apply yourself
- You complete the eVisa portal yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare and review your application
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into Ethiopia is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your eVisa or visa stamp.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A tourist visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a tourist visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a Ethiopia visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inaccurate application
missing fields or mismatched passport details.
Insufficient passport validity
passport not valid for at least 6 months from intended entry.
Unclear travel purpose
itinerary or invitation that does not match the visa category.
Missing supporting documents
photo, ticket, or accommodation proof not provided.
Frequently asked questions
Ethiopia visa questions, answered.
More for your Ethiopia trip
How we reviewed this page
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.