Ethiopia opened its eVisa system in 2017, making it significantly easier for international travellers to obtain entry permission before arrival. The system covers most nationalities, processes applications within three business days, and has removed the need to queue at an embassy for the majority of visitors. Here is everything you need to know about getting your Ethiopia visa sorted before you fly.
Do you need a visa for Ethiopia?
Citizens of most countries require a visa to enter Ethiopia. There are two exceptions:
Visa-free entry: Citizens of Kenya and Djibouti do not require a visa for Ethiopia.
Everyone else: Applies via the Ethiopia eVisa portal or, in limited cases, via embassy. Citizens of eligible countries (the list is long — essentially all of Europe, the Americas, most of Asia, and Oceania) can use the eVisa system. Citizens of a small number of countries may be required to apply via an Ethiopian embassy; check the eVisa portal for your nationality.
Ethiopia eVisa: types and fees
The eVisa portal (www.evisa.gov.et) issues two standard tourist visa categories:
Single-entry tourist visa (30 days): Valid for a stay of up to 30 days from first entry. This is the standard option for most holiday visits. Thirty days comfortably covers most of our itineraries — the Addis Ababa full-day city tour, the 3-day Danakil Depression expedition or the 5-day Simien Mountains trek.
Single-entry tourist visa (90 days): Valid for up to 90 days. Suitable for longer trips, overlanders, or those combining Ethiopia with neighbouring countries. Worth choosing if you are pairing regions — for example the 7-day Lalibela and Gondar heritage tour with the 6-day Omo Valley cultural experience.
Fees at time of writing are $62 USD for the 30-day visa and $152 USD for the 90-day visa. Fees are subject to change — verify current amounts on the eVisa portal when applying. Payment is by credit or debit card.
How to apply for an Ethiopia eVisa
The process is straightforward and takes around 20 minutes to complete:
Step 1 — Create an account at www.evisa.gov.et. You’ll need a valid email address.
Step 2 — Complete the application form. You’ll need your passport details (the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry), travel dates, and accommodation address in Ethiopia. If you’re not sure where you’ll be staying on arrival, your tour operator’s address works.
Step 3 — Upload supporting documents. Required: a colour scan of your passport bio page, a recent passport-sized photo against a plain background.
Step 4 — Pay the fee by card. You’ll receive an acknowledgement email immediately.
Step 5 — Receive your eVisa. Processing typically takes 3 business days. The visa is sent to your email as a PDF. Print it and carry a hard copy — immigration officers at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport check the printed document on arrival.
Visa on arrival
Ethiopia does offer visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, but the eVisa is strongly preferred. Visa on arrival queues can be long, the fee is higher, and there is no guarantee of availability for all nationalities. Apply in advance via the eVisa portal and carry your printed confirmation — it makes arrival significantly faster.
Validity and extensions
Your eVisa has two timelines to understand: the validity period (the window within which you must enter Ethiopia) and the length of stay (how long you can remain once inside). A 30-day visa issued on 1 January, for example, allows entry until a date specified on the visa, and once entered, a stay of up to 30 days.
If you need to extend your stay inside Ethiopia, the Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency (INVEA) office in Addis Ababa handles extensions. Bring your passport, the original visa, and a letter explaining the reason for extension. Your tour operator or hotel can advise on the process.
Entry requirements beyond the visa
Yellow fever vaccination: If you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (most of Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America), a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow booklet). Without it, you may be vaccinated on arrival at your own cost, or refused entry.
Passport validity: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date.
Return or onward ticket: Immigration officers may ask for evidence of onward travel. A printed itinerary or return booking is sufficient.
Planning your Ethiopia trip? Browse our Ethiopia tour packages — all bookings include a confirmation letter suitable for your visa application address requirement.
Once the eVisa is approved, here is how we would shape a first trip. Flights into Bole often land in the morning, so we usually suggest starting with an Addis Ababa city tour while you adjust to the altitude. From there, two natural next steps are the Lalibela and Gondar heritage tour through the northern historic circuit, and the Danakil Depression expedition for the lava lake and salt flats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Ethiopia eVisa take to process?
The standard processing time is 3 business days. In practice, most applicants receive their eVisa within 24–48 hours. Apply at least one week before your travel date to allow buffer time for any document queries. Do not apply too far in advance — the eVisa validity window has a fixed start date and you need to use it within that window.
Can I get an Ethiopia visa on arrival?
Yes, visa on arrival is available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for most nationalities. However, it is not recommended — queues can be long (especially on intercontinental morning arrivals), the fee is higher than the eVisa, and processing is slower. Apply via the eVisa portal before travel.
Is the Ethiopia eVisa a single or multiple entry visa?
Standard tourist eVisas are single-entry. Once you leave Ethiopia, the visa is spent. If your itinerary involves entering Ethiopia, crossing into a neighbouring country (Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti, etc.) and returning, you will need to apply for a new eVisa for re-entry or arrange a multiple-entry visa through the embassy in advance.
Do I need to print my Ethiopia eVisa?
Yes. Print your eVisa confirmation PDF and carry the hard copy with your passport. Immigration officers at Addis Ababa Bole Airport check the printed document as part of the arrival process. A phone screen is not always accepted — a printed copy is safer.
What is the address required for the Ethiopia eVisa application?
The application asks for your accommodation address in Ethiopia. If you have booked a hotel, use that address. If you haven’t finalised accommodation, use your tour operator’s address — Ethiosinia Tours guests can use our Addis Ababa office address. Contact us via the contact page and we’ll provide the address for your application.
