Latest updated InformationOne of the first questions travelers ask us is: Do I need a visa to visit Ethiopia?”
For most international visitors, the answer is yes. The good news is that Ethiopia has an online eVisa system, so most travelers can apply before leaving home instead of visiting an Ethiopian embassy.
The process is generally straightforward, but small mistakes such as entering the wrong arrival date or passport number can cause delays. This guide explains what you need, how the eVisa works and what to check before flying to Ethiopia.
Official Ethiopian government visa website:
Check the latest requirements and apply for your Ethiopian eVisa. https://www.evisa.gov.et/
Always use the government website ending in evisa.gov.et. Be careful with private websites that look official but may charge additional service fees.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Ethiopia?
Most foreign passport holders need a visa to enter Ethiopia.
The official Ethiopian eVisa system currently allows travelers of all nationalities to submit an online tourist visa application, provided they meet the requirements. Approval is still decided by Ethiopian immigration authorities and is not automatic.
Citizens of Kenya and Djibouti with valid passports are currently listed as visa-exempt on the official portal. Travelers holding diplomatic passports, Ethiopian Origin IDs or other special documents may have different entry conditions.
Visa rules can change, so we strongly recommend checking the government website again shortly before your departure.
What Is an Ethiopian eVisa?
An Ethiopian eVisa is an electronic visa that allows an approved traveler to enter Ethiopia without obtaining a visa sticker from an embassy before travelling.
The standard tourist eVisa is issued for single entry. This means you can enter Ethiopia once. If you leave the country and later want to return, you will normally need to apply for another visa even when the original visa period has not finished.
Tourist eVisas are generally available for:
* 30 days
* 90 days
Your visa validity begins from the intended arrival date written on your application, not from the day your visa is approved.
For example, suppose you enter September 10 as your arrival date but later change your flight to September 15. Your visa period will still begin on September 10.
This is one of the most common details travelers overlook, so check your flight date carefully before submitting the application.
Where Should I Apply?
Apply only through the official Ethiopian government website:
Official Ethiopian eVisa Application Portal. https://www.evisa.gov.et/
On the website, you can:
* Review the latest visa requirements
* Start a new application
* Pay the visa fee
* Check your application status
* Download your approved visa
You can also check an existing application through the government’s visa status page.
New Ethiopia Tours does not issue visas. We can, however, help our confirmed guests with practical details needed for the application, such as the first hotel address, local contact information and arrival arrangements.
Ethiopian Tourist eVisa Requirements
Before beginning the application, prepare the following:
* A passport valid for at least six months from your intended entry date
* A recent passport-sized photograph
* A clear copy of your passport information page
* Your expected arrival date
* Your airline and flight number
* Your accommodation details in Ethiopia
* A working email address
* A bank card accepted by the online payment system
The official tourist visa page states that applicants must provide a recent passport photograph and a passport valid for at least six months from the intended date of entry.
Your passport copy should be clear and complete. Make sure the following details can be read easily:
* Full name
* Passport number
* Nationality
* Date of birth
* Passport expiry date
* Machine-readable lines at the bottom of the page
Avoid uploading a blurred photograph, a cropped passport page or an image with glare covering important information.
How to Apply for an Ethiopian eVisa
1. Open the official government website
Go to www.evisa.gov.et and select the tourist visa application.
Check the website address before entering your passport or payment information. The official domain should end in "evisa.gov.et".
2. Select the correct visa type
Travelers visiting Ethiopia for holidays, sightseeing or visiting friends and family will normally apply for a tourist visa.
A tourist visa should not be used when your main purpose is employment, journalism, filming, investment, business meetings, NGO work or participation in an official conference. Ethiopia has different visa categories for these activities.
Choose the category that honestly matches the purpose of your visit.
3. Enter your passport details
Type your personal information exactly as it appears in your passport.
Pay special attention to:
* First and family names
* Passport number
* Nationality
* Passport issue date
* Passport expiry date
* Date of birth
One incorrect number or spelling can create problems during airline check-in or immigration inspection.
Travel using the same passport you used for the visa application. This is especially important for travelers who hold two passports.
4. Add your travel information
You will normally be asked for details such as:
* Intended arrival date
* Country and city of departure
* Airline
* Flight number
* Hotel or accommodation name
* Address and telephone number in Ethiopia
For guests travelling with New Ethiopia Tours, the first confirmed hotel on your itinerary can normally be used as your accommodation contact.
5. Upload your documents
Upload your passport photograph and passport information page.
Before continuing, open the uploaded files and check that they are facing the right direction and can be read clearly.
6. Review everything before paying
Take a few extra minutes to check the entire application.
The most important details are:
* Passport number
* Full name
* Email address
* Arrival date
* Visa duration
* Nationality
The official portal states that eVisa application fees are non-refundable, so it is important to check everything before making payment.
Visa charges may change. Use the amount displayed on the official government payment page as the current fee.
7. Save your application details
After submitting the application, save:
* Your application reference number
* Payment confirmation
* Confirmation email
* A screenshot or PDF of the submitted information
Remember that a payment receipt is not the same as an approved visa.
8. Download the approved eVisa
Once the application has been approved, download the complete eVisa document.
The government website also allows applicants to check their status and download visa documents using the required application information.
Save a copy on your phone and email it to yourself. We also recommend printing at least one copy.
How Long Does an Ethiopian eVisa Take?
Under normal circumstances, the official processing time for a tourist eVisa is approximately three days. The government advises travelers to apply at least three days before their intended arrival.
From our experience helping travelers prepare for Ethiopia, applying only three days before departure is unnecessarily risky.
We recommend applying around "7 to 10 days before travel". This gives you time to deal with a payment problem, upload a clearer document or respond if immigration requests additional information.
At the same time, avoid applying many months too early. Your intended travel date needs to fit within the application conditions shown on the government portal.
What Should I Carry When Flying to Ethiopia?
When travelling, keep the following documents somewhere easy to reach:
* Your original passport
* A printed copy of your approved eVisa
* A digital copy of the eVisa
* Your eVisa confirmation email
* Your return or onward flight information
* Your first hotel confirmation
* Your tour itinerary
* Your local tour operator’s contact details
Do not travel with only the payment receipt. Make sure you have received the actual approved visa document.
Keeping both printed and digital copies is useful. Phones can run out of battery, airport internet may be slow and airline staff may ask to see the complete document before allowing you to board.
Is Visa on Arrival Available in Ethiopia?
Visa on arrival may be available to travelers from eligible countries, usually when arriving through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
However, eligibility depends on nationality and current immigration rules. Do not assume that you qualify simply because another traveler received a visa at the airport.
Check the official government information before departure:
Check Ethiopia’s visa-on-arrival information. https://www.evisa.gov.et/information/touristOnArrivalVisa
Even when visa on arrival is available, we generally recommend getting an eVisa before travelling. Having the approval in advance gives you greater peace of mind and may make airline check-in and arrival procedures easier.
Can I Use an eVisa at a Land Border?
Most official eVisa information is written for travelers arriving through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
If you plan to enter Ethiopia through a land border or a different airport, confirm in advance that your visa will be accepted at that entry point.
Contact Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services or the nearest Ethiopian embassy before travelling. It is better to receive confirmation before starting your journey than to discover a problem at the border.
The official Immigration and Citizenship Services website is:
Immigration and Citizenship Services of Ethiopia. " https://ics.gov.et/ "
Can I Extend My Tourist Visa in Ethiopia?
Visa-extension procedures are managed by Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services.
Apply for an extension before your current visa expires. Do not wait until the final day, and do not remain in the country after your permitted stay without receiving official approval.
Travelers planning a longer visit should consider applying for the appropriate visa duration from the beginning.
Common eVisa Mistakes to Avoid
Using an unofficial visa website
Some private websites look similar to the government portal and may charge additional fees.
The official website is www.evisa.gov.et
Entering the wrong arrival date
Your visa begins from the intended arrival date entered in the application. It does not begin when you land or when the application is approved.
Writing the passport number incorrectly
Check each letter and number carefully. Passport numbers can contain characters that look similar, such as the number zero and the letter O.
Uploading an unclear passport image
The full passport information page should be visible, readable and free from glare.
Travelling with a different passport
Use the same passport for the application, airline check-in and entry into Ethiopia.
Carrying only a payment receipt
Payment does not confirm approval. Wait until you receive the issued eVisa document.
Applying at the last minute
Normal processing may take around three days, but a correction or technical problem can take longer.
Choosing the wrong visa category
A tourist visa is for tourism and personal visits. Professional, commercial and media activities may require another visa type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ethiopian tourist eVisa single entry?
Yes. The standard tourist eVisa is issued for a single entry.
Does the visa begin when it is approved?
No. It begins from the intended arrival date entered in your application.
Is a payment confirmation enough to travel?
No. You should have the complete approved eVisa document before travelling.
Should I print my Ethiopian eVisa?
Yes. Carry a printed copy as well as a digital backup.
How early should I apply?
The government recommends applying at least three days before arrival. For additional peace of mind, we recommend applying approximately 7 to 10 days before your flight.
Can New Ethiopia Tours apply for my visa?
Visas must be issued through Ethiopian immigration authorities.
We can guide confirmed guests through the information they may need, but each traveler is responsible for completing the application, checking their details and confirming that the visa has been approved.
Our Final Advice
Applying for an Ethiopian eVisa is usually simple when you prepare your documents and enter everything carefully.
Before leaving home, make sure you have:
1. Checked that your passport is valid for at least six months.
2. Applied through the official government website.
3. Used the correct passport and arrival date.
4. Received the actual approved eVisa.
5. Printed the visa and saved a digital copy.
6. Checked the official requirements again before flying.
Official government links
* Apply for an Ethiopian eVisa www.evisa.gov.et
* Read the official tourist visa requirements. https://www.evisa.gov.et/information/tourist
* Check an eVisa application status. https://www.evisa.gov.et/status
* Visit Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services. https://ics.gov.et/
Once your visa is ready, you can focus on planning the enjoyable part of your journey—from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the castles of Gondar to the landscapes of the Simien Mountains, the cultures of southern Ethiopia and the coffee traditions of Addis Ababa.
Planning a private trip to Ethiopia?
New Ethiopia Tours creates comfortable, tailor-made journeys for couples, families, solo travelers, photographers and small private groups. Our local team can help you plan your route, accommodation, guides, transportation and arrival arrangements.
Visa requirements, fees and application procedures may change without notice. This article was reviewed in August 2026. Travelers should always confirm the latest information through the official Ethiopian government eVisa portal, Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services, their airline or the nearest Ethiopian embassy before travelling.