Can I Enter Ethiopia with a Passport Expiring in Less Than 6 Months?

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.