FAQs

Yes, you can apply for Ethiopia e-visas on behalf of families or groups. This makes the visa application process more convenient when traveling with multiple people. However, there are important details to keep in mind: The Ethiopian e-visa system, managed by the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs, requires that every traveler, including children, have their own e-visa. There is no specific group or family application form that covers multiple people in a single submission. This means you will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee for each member of the group, including children. When applying, make sure to provide accurate personal information and travel details for each family member or group participant. It is also advisable to use the same email address and travel itinerary when applying, to keep all applications organized and consistent. While the visa fee may be paid together, each person will receive their own e-visa. How to Ethiopian e-visa for multiple applicants? Here’s how to proceed for families or groups: - Individual Applications: Each family member or group member needs to complete their own online application on the official Ethiopian e-visa website (www.evisa.gov.et) or through authorized platforms like Ethiopia Immigration Services. You’ll need to provide personal details, travel information, a scanned copy of the passport bio page, and a passport-sized photo for each person. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the intended entry date. - Supporting Documents: For children, you may need to upload additional documents, such as a birth certificate or proof of guardianship, especially if traveling without both parents. Ensure all documents are clear and meet the requirements outlined on the e-visa platform. - Payment: The visa fee must be paid separately for each application using a credit or debit card. The fee varies depending on the visa type and processing speed (standard, rush, or super rush). - Processing Time: Standard E-visa processing typically takes about 3 days, though it can be faster with expedited options. Each application is processed independently, but you can coordinate submissions to ensure approvals align for group travel. Once approved, each traveler receives their e-visa via email, which must be printed and presented upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. - Entry Requirements: All family or group members must enter Ethiopia through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, as e-visas are not valid for entry at land borders or other ports. Ensure everyone has a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a listed risk country. Practical Tips To streamline the process, prepare all documents for the group in advance and submit applications close together to avoid discrepancies in approval times. If traveling with children, verify with your airline or the Ethiopian Embassy about any additional requirements, such as unabridged birth certificates or parental consent letters. While the system doesn’t offer a single “group visa,” the online process is straightforward and allows families or groups to apply efficiently by managing individual applications concurrently. Always double-check requirements on the official e-visa website or consult the Ethiopian Embassy for specific cases, as policies can vary based on nationality or travel purpose.

To apply for an Ethiopian eVisa, the passport requirements are straightforward but must be strictly followed to ensure a successful application. Passport Requirements for the Ethiopian eVisa To be eligible for an Ethiopian eVisa, your passport must meet the following requirements: 1. Passport Validity Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your intended date of entry into Ethiopia. Passports with less than six months of validity will result in the rejection of the eVisa application. 2. Blank Passport Pages Your passport must have at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps. Ethiopian immigration authorities require sufficient space for these stamps upon arrival and departure. If your passport is nearing its expiry date or lacks blank pages, renew it before applying for the eVisa to avoid complications. 3. Type of Passport The passport must be a machine-readable passport (with a machine-readable zone on the bio-data page) issued by an eligible country. Most standard passports meet this requirement. Temporary, emergency, or non-machine-readable passports may not be accepted for eVisa applications. Contact the Ethiopian Embassy if you hold such a document. 4. Scanned Bio Page During the eVisa application, you must upload a clear, colored scan of the passport’s biographical information page. The scanned copy must be legible, showing all details (full name, passport number, date of birth, issue/expiry dates, etc.) without glare, shadows, or cropping. Blurry or cropped images may result in delays or rejection. The file should be in JPEG or JPG format and typically under 2MB in size. 5. Eligibility by Nationality Ensure your nationality is eligible for the Ethiopian eVisa. Check your nationality HERE. 6. Consistency The passport used for the application must be the same one you carry when entering Ethiopia. If your passport is replaced or renewed after applying, the eVisa will no longer be valid, and you will need to apply again. Additional Notes Children’s Passports: Children, including infants, must have their own passports meeting the above requirements. They cannot be included on a parent’s passport for eVisa purposes. Damaged Passports: Ethiopia may deny entry if your passport is damaged (e.g., torn pages, missing cover, unreadable data). Replace a damaged passport before applying. Dual Nationals & Multiple Passports: If you hold multiple passports, you must apply for the eVisa using the same passport you will travel with, as the visa cannot be transferred to a different passport. Verify Passport Details: Ensure that all passport details entered in the eVisa application (e.g., full name as it appears on the bio-data page, including any middle names, passport number, expiry date) match the passport exactly. Even minor errors can lead to delays or entry denial. Entry Point: The eVisa is valid only for entry through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Ensure your passport is presented with the printed eVisa upon arrival. Always verify the latest requirements on the official Ethiopian eVisa portal before applying.

The Ethiopian visa on arrival is available for eligible travelers, but it is restricted to a specific entry point: Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (IATA: ADD) This is the only airport in Ethiopia where travelers can obtain a visa on arrival. You must arrive by air to be eligible. The visa on arrival is not available at other airports (e.g., Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Mekele), land borders (e.g., Moyale from Kenya, Metema from Sudan, Togochale from Djibouti), or other ports of entry. Travelers attempting to enter via other entry points must have a valid visa obtained in advance from an Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate or an e-Visa (for air entry via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport). Is the Ethiopia visa on arrival available at land borders? No, the visa on arrival is not available at any land border crossings. Travelers entering by land (e.g., from Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan) must obtain a visa in advance from an Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate. Important Notes: - An e-Visa is valid only for air entry via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and cannot be used at land borders or other airports. - For the latest updates on entry point policies, check the official Ethiopia e-Visa website or contact an Ethiopian Embassy.

No, currently, the Ethiopian e-Visa system does not offer a multiple-entry e-Visa option for tourists or other standard travelers. The e-Visa, managed by the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs, is available only as a single-entry visa for eligible purposes, such as tourism, business, or conferences. Multiple-Entry Visa Options If you require several entries, you have to apply for a traditional visa in an Ethiopian embassy or consulate. Types of multiple-entry visas Business Visa (often issued for 3–12 months, multiple entries) Investor/Work Visa (for long-term stays) Diplomatic/Official Visa Alternatives for Frequent Travelers If you initially enter with an eVisa but later need multiple entries, you can: Exit and apply for a new eVisa or embassy visa before returning. If you need to enter Ethiopia multiple times,  contact the nearest Ethiopian Embassy to inquire about a multiple-entry visa tailored to your purpose (e.g., business or family visits). Be prepared to provide detailed justification and supporting documents. In Summary Multiple-entry visas are not available through Ethiopia's e-visa system. For travelers requiring multiple entries, applying for a multiple-entry visa through an Ethiopian Embassy is the best option. Always verify the latest policies on the official e-Visa website or with an Ethiopian Embassy, as visa regulations can change.

No, you can't use an Ethiopian e-visa at land border crossings. The holders of the Ethiopian e-Visa can enter the country only through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. To gain entry at land borders, you must obtain an appropriate visa. Check Ethiopia e-Visa Valid Ports The Ethiopian e-Visa serves as a digital travel document to help eligible visitors easily access the country through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The e-Visa cannot serve as an entry document for land border checkpoints between Ethiopia and Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, or South Sudan. What Should I Do? The e-visa system is unavailable for use at Ethiopian land entry points. So, travelers who wish to cross into Ethiopia through land borders need to secure either a traditional visa from an Ethiopian embassy or a visa on arrival (if eligible). However, a visa on arrival is only available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and is not available at any land border checkpoints. Every visitor needs to check all necessary visa requirements and processing times with their local Ethiopian diplomatic mission before their trip, because these details vary by your nationality and entry point. Standard visa applications require applicants to submit their completed forms alongside their valid passports, passport pictures, required embassy documents, and payment for the visa fee. Contact the Ethiopian Main Department for Immigration & Nationality Affairs (MDINA) or the nearest Ethiopian embassy to verify any changes to immigration rules before your departure.

No, you are not required to enter Ethiopia on the exact date specified on your visa. The "entry date" indicated on your visa is the first day you are permitted to enter Ethiopia. You do not need to enter the exact date listed, but you must enter before the visa expires. Check the Ethiopia Visa Entry Date Rules Ethiopian e-visas are valid from the intended arrival date specified on the visa, not the date of issuance. You may enter Ethiopia on any date during the visa's validity period as long as it falls between the arrival and departure dates specified on your e-Visa. However, early entry prior to the given start date is not allowed. However, you must ensure that your entry meets the precise requirements of your visa type, such as single-entry limits or authorized entry points. - The Ethiopian e-Visa is valid for a single entry and requires that you arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. - The list of eligible countries may change, so please check the latest information. For example, if your e-Visa is valid from April 1st to April 30th, you can enter Ethiopia on any day within that timeframe. Even if the visa was issued earlier, it is valid as of April 1st, the intended entry date. Important note: You must enter Ethiopia before the expiration of your visa validity period; otherwise, you may be refused entry or required to apply for a new visa. You should verify your visa conditions with the issuing authority. Visa policies may vary depending on the type of visa you hold.

There are different terminologies about visa validity that you will come across while applying for an Ethiopian e-visa. This is the difference dates an Ethiopian e-visa's issue date and its expiry date: 1. What Is The Visa Issue Date Mean? It's when your visa is officially approved and actually issued to you by the Ethiopian Immigration Service. In the case of an e-visa, it is the date that you receive an approval email that contains your visa documentation. For instance: If you applied on 01-Apr-2025 and got your e-visa on 05-Apr-2025. Your issue date is 5-Apr-2025. 2. What Does the Visa Expiry Date Mean? This is the last date by which your visa remains valid for use. If you fail to arrive in Ethiopia before the expiry of this visa, it will become invalid, and you will need to apply for a new visa. You must enter Ethiopia during this time for an Ethiopian e-visa, which ends 30 or 90 days from your entry date that you selected. For example: If your intended entry date of June 5, 2025, through to a 30-day e-visa is issued on April 5, 2025, then the expiry date will minimum of July 4, 2025 (30 days from June 5). You have to return to the country of issue: If the visa was processed at the Ethiopian embassy in your home country, then you must enter Ethiopia on/before 4 July 2025 (otherwise the visa ceases to be valid). Key Notes A single-entry visa allows only one entry into Ethiopia. You must enter before the expiry date, and you may stay for 30 days from the date of entry. Overstay: If you stay longer than the 30 days allowed from your admission date, you may face fines or deportation.The  Entry port: The Ethiopian e-Visa is only valid for Addis Ababa Bole Airport.

Ethiopia strictly enforces the 6-month passport validity rule, requiring your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from your intended arrival date. If your passport is due to expire in less than 6 months to travel to Ethiopia, the following is what you can expect. What happens if the passport expires in less than 6 months Denied Boarding by Airlines Airlines (e.g., Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines) flying to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport will check your passport’s validity before boarding. If it expires in less than 6 months from your entry date, they’ll refuse boarding to avoid liability for your potential rejection at the border. Refused Entry at the Border If you manage to board your flight (e.g., if the airline overlooks the rule), Ethiopian immigration officers at Bole International Airport—the only entry point for e-visas and visas-on-arrival—will deny you entry. They’ll check your passport’s validity, and one with less than 6 months remaining won’t be accepted, even with a valid e-visa or visa-on-arrival eligibility. Rejection of Visa Application To apply e-visa online at Ethiopian Immigration Services, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entrance date. If it expires sooner, your application may be detected or rejected during processing (usually 1-3 days), or you will be denied entry at the border, notwithstanding approval. Visa on arrival: Before issuing a visa on arrival, immigration agents will inspect your passport if you are of an eligible nationality (e.g., Australian, US, or UK). If it expires in less than six months, they will not issue the visa, and entrance would be barred. Let’s check Ethiopia's visa requirements for your nationality here. Why Ethiopia Imposes This Regulation Ethiopia implements the 6-month passport validity restriction to ensure that visitors have a valid passport during their stay and can depart without incident. This helps to prevent overstays and complications with passport expiration. Ethiopia's immigration policy includes a 6-month validity limit to ensure tourists have a valid passport during their stay and upon departure, reducing overstays and issues with expired passports. It is consistent with worldwide principles and strengthens Ethiopia's position as a travel hub (via Ethiopian Airlines), where compliance improves border security and efficiency. What Can You Do? If your passport is to expire in less than 6 months and you have to travel to Ethiopia: Renew Your Passport If you’re planning to travel soon and your passport has less than six months’ validity, renew it before departure. Ethiopia enforces this rule strictly. Check Airline Regulations Airlines may also have specific requirements for passport validity. Check with your airline so that you won't be refused boarding. Consult the Embassy For the most current and accurate information, consult the Ethiopian embassy or consulate before leaving. Schedule alternative travel: If renewing your passport is not possible before departure, consider postponing your trip until your passport matches the validity requirement. Conclusion If your passport expires in less than six months, you will encounter serious difficulties traveling to Ethiopia. The best option is to renew your passport before departing.

Yes, if your nationality is eligible for both an Ethiopia visa-on-arrival and an e-visa, you can choose either option based on your preference. The Ethiopian government offers both to facilitate travel, with no restriction preventing you from opting for an e-visa even if you qualify for a visa-on-arrival. Ethiopian authorities often encourage travelers to apply for an e-visa in advance to streamline entry and avoid potential delays at the border. Why Prefer an E-Visa Over a Visa-on-Arrival? If you are eligible for a visa-on-arrival (VOA) in Ethiopia but prefer to obtain an e-visa, here are some points to consider: Convenience The online application for Ethiopia e-visas allows quick completion before your arrival, which eliminates the need for extra work at the border. Application processing typically takes 1-3 days. Upon completion of the application, the e-visa will arrive through email, so you can bypass airport queues when entering the country. Pre-Approval The pre-approved e-visa status allows you to bypass border entry complications that might occur from immigration officers' discretionary powers. Flexibility The single-entry feature of E-visas allows travelers to stay in the country for 30 days, depending on their planned itinerary. Time Savings Visa-on-arrival at Bole International Airport features queues at visa counters that become longer during busy times and can extend from 30 minutes up to one hour or more. This waiting process becomes exhausting after a lengthy flight. E-visa holders avoid visa application lines by moving straight to immigration check-in, but they should expect varying wait times at this stage. Visa-on-arrival and e-visa holders need to access Ethiopia through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, since land borders have no capability to process e-visa applications. All visitors must present proof of yellow fever vaccination through a certificate when arriving from any risk country, regardless of their entry method. Conclusion The eligibility for a visa-on-arrival in Ethiopia does not prevent you from applying for an e-visa instead. The e-visa system delivers a more efficient entry procedure that reduces the amount of time passengers need to wait, along with decreasing their uncertainty during airport procedures. An e-visa serves as a suitable entry option for Ethiopia when you arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. More details and the official application portal are available at evisa.gov.et.

If you stay in Ethiopia beyond your visa’s expiration date without securing an extension, you’ll encounter fines and other consequences. Update information on the overstay fine in Ethiopia in a clear, detailed guide below. Learn about how much fines, what could happen, and the steps you can take if your Ethiopia visa has already expired. 1. Overstaying Fines and Penalties in Ethiopia Fines for Overstaying Daily Fine: For the first 15 days of overstaying, the fine is set at $50. After that, it increases to $5 per day. If your overstay exceeds 15 days, the rate rises to $10 per day. Penalties for Extended Overstays: Up to 3 years: You could face a fine of up to $3,000 in addition to the daily penalties. Beyond 3 years: The fine jumps to $5,000. Maximum Fine: There may be an upper limit to the total fine, but this varies depending on the duration of your overstay and the discretion of immigration officials. Payment Process All fines must be paid in cash (U.S. dollars) before you can obtain an exit visa and depart Ethiopia. It’s a prerequisite to leaving, so plan accordingly. 2. Consequences of Overstaying You won’t be permitted to leave Ethiopia until the fines are settled. Attempting to depart without resolving this could result in immigration officers detaining you at the airport and requiring immediate payment. For longer overstays, additional repercussions may include: Criminal charges, Deportation, or A ban on future entry into Ethiopia. 3. What to Do If You Overstay in Ethiopia Contact Immigration Authorities Visit the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) office in Addis Ababa or the nearest regional office to resolve your overstay status. Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service information: Address: Abebech building,  2Q88+QH5 beside Zemen Bank, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Phone: +251 11 157 1899 Email: [email protected] Apply for a Visa Extension (If Possible) If your visa hasn't already expired, request an extension before it does. If your visa has already expired, you can still obtain an extension, but you will be required to pay both the fine and the extension fee. Extensions are processed at Addis Abeba's Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs and are often finished in a few hours. 4. How to Avoid Overstay in Ethiopia? Check Your Dates: Keep an eye on when your visa expires. Apply Early: Need more time? Get that extension request in before it’s too late. Set a Reminder: Pop it on your phone or on a calendar so you don’t lose track. If you have specific questions or need further assistance, it’s recommended to contact the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service or your country’s embassy in Ethiopia for guidance.