Do Americans require an Ethiopia visa for US citizens to enter the country? The simple answer is that they do. Ethiopia is not visa-free for US citizens, so they require legal clearance to enter the country in the form of a visa. This page covers the Ethiopian visa application process and how to apply for it.
Traveling To Ethiopia
With the exception of US diplomats, all visitors from the US require a visa to enter Ethiopia for any legal reason, and there are different types of Ethiopian visas they can apply for. However, there are two modes of applications available to Americans, and they are as follows.
Embassy Applications
Americans who intend to visit and stay in Ethiopia for a significant period of time require a conventional visa that can only be obtained from the embassy in Washington, DC. The applicant must fill and submit the visa form with all relevant documents in physical form. An interview will be scheduled on a set date, and on that day, the applicant must come with the original and photocopies of their documents for review.
After the interview with immigration officers, the application will take about 15 working days to be approved. This approach is the route taken by those who wish to obtain a work visa or any other visa for long term stays.
Online Applications
The online application method was introduced to make it easier for short stay visitors to enter Ethiopia at short notice. Also called an E-visa, this document is only allowed if the visitor enters the country through the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Rather than wait in long queues for a visa upon arrival or visit the embassy and face a stressful process, applicants can just visit an online portal to fill out the application form with their mobile phones or laptops.
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The e visa was open to the US in 2018, and the form takes only less than 20 minutes to complete. There are key questions you must answer, such as your health history, travel plans, and security questions. Let us address some of the key questions in detail.
- Personal Information: You will be asked to provide your personal information, such as your full name, home address, and date of birth.
- Passport Data: Your passport number, issue date, and expiry date. Your nationality.
- Travel Plans: Your travel plans once you arrive in Ethiopia. Your hotel address, arrival, departure dates, and locations you plan to visit.
- Health Information: Your medical history, including vaccinations and tests
US applicants must double-check their entries carefully before submitting the application form. Once it is submitted, changes cannot be made, and your request will be denied if the information you provide is wrong or doesn’t correspond with what is on your documents.
How to Apply for an Ethiopia Tourist eVisa: Step-by-Step Guide
Duration of E Visa
The Ethiopian e-visa allows the US passport holder to stay in the country for up to 30 days. It becomes active from the day the visitor enters Ethiopia, not the day it is approved.
Holders who wish to extend the e-visa while they are in Ethiopia can do so if they visit the office of the Main Immigration & Nationality Affairs Office at least one week before their visa expires. Those who cannot visit the main immigration office because they are not in the capital city of Addis Ababa may apply for an extension online while they may still be in Ethiopia.
For those who overstay beyond the 30 days approved in their form, they are liable to pay a fine before they can be allowed to leave the country. Failure to pay the fine will lead to imprisonment.
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Also, note that the e-visa is a single-entry visa, so it can’t be used to enter Ethiopia more than once. For a multiple entry visa, visit the embassy or consulate office of the Ethiopian government. US passport holders using the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport ASA transit point to connect to other countries don’t require an e-visa. The same is the case for holders of US diplomatic passports except for Pakistan and Somalia. US diplomats not serving in any of these countries may visit and stay in Ethiopia for up to 3 months.
Ethiopia Visa Requirements
To apply for an Ethiopian visa, US citizens typically need to provide the following:
- Valid Passport: A valid US passport with at least six months of validity. Scan and upload a scanned copy of the bio page
- Photo: A recent photograph of you with a 51mm x 51mm dimension.
An Ethiopian eVisa is the fastest and easiest way of obtaining a visa for Ethiopia because travelers can submit their application and supporting documents online. Once the application is approved, travelers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.
Travelers who are transiting through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and staying within the airport transit area for a maximum of 8 hours.
How long does it take for the Ethiopian Tourist eVisa to be approved?
Most applications are approved within 10 business days. Governments do not guarantee processing times, so be sure to submit your application as early as possible.
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You’ll receive your Ethiopian Tourist eVisa as soon as it’s been approved, and we’ll immediately contact you if there are any issues.
How long can I stay in Ethiopia with my eVisa?
You are able to stay in Ethiopia for up to 30 days. If you wish to stay longer, please refer to the information at the top of this page to see if there are any long-stay visa options.
All foreign nationals who seek to enter Ethiopia are required to get visa. Passengers can obtain visa from E-visa /Electronic Visa/ or Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C.
The Embassy would like to inform you that the e-Visa service is provided by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service. An Ethiopian visit visa is a short-term travel permit issued to foreign nationals who wish to enter Ethiopia for tourism or family visits. It is typically valid for 30 days.
Visa Fees
- $82 for a single entry
Payment must be made by money order payable to the Embassy of Ethiopia. Cash, debit cards, credit cards, and personal checks are not accepted.
Processing Time - one (1) to three (3) business/working days.
US citizens are required to obtain a visa to legally enter Ethiopia. Do not travel to Ethiopia unless you have an approved e-Visa. Travelers without a valid visa will be denied entry. The Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service strictly enforces immigration regulations and expects all foreign nationals to be in the country under legal status.
Important Considerations
Visitors to Ethiopia, including transit passengers who do not plan to exit Bole International Airport, may hold up to a maximum of 1,000 ETB per trip to and from Ethiopia. Persons residing in Ethiopia can enter with 1,000 USD or other foreign currency equivalent. Persons not residing in Ethiopia can enter with 3,000 USD or other foreign currency equivalent. Residents of Ethiopia may not hold foreign currency for more than 30 days after declaring it.
Export permits processed by the Export Section of the airport customs office are required for antiques, including religious artifacts, Ethiopian crosses, and animal skins and other wildlife parts. There are limits on the amount of precious stones and minerals that can be exported for personal use. Some recording devices may require special customs permits.
The Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ethiopia.
Security and Safety
Terrorism: Al-Qa’ida and its regional affiliate, Somalia-based al-Shabaab, maintain a presence throughout East Africa. In late 2020, Ethiopian security officials announced the arrest of al-Shabaab and ISIS members who were accused of planning attacks in Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack - including knives, firearms, and vehicles - to more effectively target crowds.
Civil Unrest: Ethiopia has experienced sporadic and spontaneous civil unrest throughout the country, some of which has ended in violence. During such episodes, the Ethiopian government often curtails or limits mobile telecommunications, internet access, and social media. If this happens, you may be unable to contact family and friends or emergency services.
Border Areas:
- Border with Kenya: There have been numerous incidents of inter-ethnic conflict reported near the border areas with Kenya, as well as attacks attributed to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA or OLF-Shane).
- Border with South Sudan (Gambella Region): The security situation in the region is volatile. Sporadic inter-ethnic clashes are common along the western border area with South Sudan. Past tribal conflict between Anyuak, Nuer, and Highlanders resulted in numerous casualties.
- Somali Region (eastern Ethiopia): Al-Shabaab maintains a presence in Somali towns near the Ethiopian border, presenting risk of cross-border attacks and kidnapping. As with other border areas, landmines and criminal activity remain a concern.
- Afar: Violent crime, including the armed assault of foreigners, has occurred in the Danakil Depression in Afar. While recent reports may indicate the Danakil Depression area is safe for tourism, please note that tourism was previously targeted for attacks in 2007, 2012, and 2017.
- Amhara: As a result of the Tigray conflict, tensions continue to exist along the Amhara-Tigray regional border, with occasional clashes including gunfire. Ethnic violence has been reported.
Crime in Addis Ababa: Pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft from vehicles and other petty crimes are common in Addis Ababa. Theft of passports is common in Bole International Airport, including inside the airport terminal and during airport transfers. Thieves are active throughout the city at all times, particularly on Bole Road, in the Piazza, the Merkato, and other areas frequented by tourists and foreigners. Violent robberies have also occurred in this area, with victims stabbed or beaten.
Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. US citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
Additional Information
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Please note that in the event you are arrested and then released on bail, standard practice is that the police will retain foreign passports pending a final hearing. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.
Photography: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, police/military personnel, and key infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, and airfields. If you are caught photographing prohibited sites, you could be fined, your photographic equipment could be confiscated, and you could be detained and/or arrested.
Phone Service: Cellular phones are the main method of communication in Ethiopia; other telephone service is unreliable, and landlines are nearly non-existent. Cell phones brought into Ethiopia must be registered with the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority. Phones can be registered either at Bole International Airport or at any Ethio Telecom shop. SIM cards are available for local purchase from Ethio Telecom, but will only work with phones that have been registered.
Currency: The Ethiopian Birr (ETB) is the currency of Ethiopia and, with the exception of international hotel bills, payment for commercial transactions in any other currency is illegal. Credit cards are accepted at only a few outlets in Addis Ababa.
LGB Travelers: Consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults is illegal and punishable by imprisonment under the law.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Persons with disabilities have limited access to transportation, communication, accommodations, and public buildings. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and most buildings lack functioning elevators.
Health and Medical Information
Medical care is extremely limited and health care facilities are only adequate for stabilization and emergency care. There is a shortage of physicians and other qualified medical personnel, as well as medical supplies, including, but not limited to, respirators, oxygen, and medications. Emergency, ambulance, and psychiatric services are also limited.
Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except Addis Ababa. Ambulances are also not generally staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. US citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. Always carry your prescription medication in its original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. If the quantity of drugs exceeds that which would be expected for personal use, a permit from the Ministry of Health is required. Many cities in Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, are at high altitude. Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and take precautions before you travel.
Transportation
Traffic accidents occur regularly in Addis Ababa and throughout the country. Roads are ill maintained, inadequately marked, and poorly lit. Excessive speed, erratic driving habits, pedestrians, stray animals, and lack of vehicle maintenance pose other hazards. Travel with other vehicles outside of cities during daylight hours only, due to the threat of roadside bandits, and be sure to carry additional fuel, a spare tire, and provisions.
You will need an Ethiopian driver’s license to drive in Ethiopia. Use of cell phones while driving is prohibited. Use of seat belts is required.
Public transport is unregulated and unsafe. Avoid all travel by public transportation and hire private transport from a reliable source.
In Addis Ababa, green and yellow metered taxis are generally newer and in better condition than other taxis.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Ethiopia’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ethiopia’s air carrier operations.
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